COMPASSION IS THE CONDITION FOR ALL PEACE AND HAPPINESS IN THIS WORLD
Master Jun Hong Lu: People who are immensely compassionate possess the Buddha-nature. For example, when a person cultivates boundless compassion, their Buddha-nature will shine through. Conversely, the moment a person turns ruthless and commits wrongful acts, his Buddha-nature will be shrouded. The same can also be said of a child, when he cheats or makes fun of others, he loses his Buddha-nature.
Compassion is the Tathagata, and the Tathagata is compassion. Everyone possesses a heart of compassion. The Chinese saying, “In the beginning, man is kind by nature” actually refers to human compassion.
In the Buddhist scriptures, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas talk about compassion as the condition for all peace and happiness in this world. If we can always focus on the good in others, we will gain peace and joy. Therefore, to live in this world, having a heart of compassion is indispensable.
The dharma regards the Bodhi mind as a real ‘cause’. The Bodhi mind is a charitable heart. We stand to reap the positive karmic fruit and affinity if we can give rise to a heart of compassion through practising the Buddhist teachings.
As your Master in Buddhist practice, I’ve always been educating all of you to practise great compassion and kindness towards others, release captive lives, propagate Buddhism, etc. This is what great compassion is all about!
Shakyamuni Buddha meditated under a Bodhi tree for 49 days and awakened to the insights that all sentient beings possess the Buddha-nature. This means each of us has a benevolent heart. Human conscience, that is, our compassionate disposition, is our inherent nature.
Source: Buddhism In Plain Terms (Radio Program), Volume 1 Chapter 1, 10 September 2019