3.1.10 Karuna and Metta Flashcards
What is Karuna? (3)
- Karuna or compassion is the quality of feeling concerned for the suffering of others and wanting to relieve their suffering.
- It is wanting others to be free of suffering and desiring to do whatever is possible to relieve the suffering of others.
- Karuna means feeling the suffering of others as your own, and recognising that you cannot be truly happy as long as there are people who are not.
What is Karuna not?
It is not feeling sorry for people.
Why can feeling sorry for people be patronising?
Feeling sorry for someone can be patronising because it comes from a position of emotional superiority.
How is the Buddha an example of Karuna? (3)
- After his enlightenment, out of compassion for everyone who was suffering, the Buddha wanted to share his knowledge of how to overcome suffering.
- He desired to do this even though it was likely to be a difficult task - many people would find the Dhamma difficult to understand, especially as it meant giving up their faith in God and the permanent self/soul.
- Mahayana Buddhism teaches that the Buddha had already achieved enlightenment and Nirvana in a previous life, but chose to be reborn again into the human world in order to help others to understand how to overcome suffering.
Why should wisdom and compassion be developed together? (2)
- The more you understand suffering the more compassion you feel.
- Wisdom is to know how to help others, compassion is the desire to help others.
How can Karuna be developed? (2)
- Karuna can be developed through meditation which aims to cultivate wholesome or fruitful states of mind.
- Developing karuna is part of right effort (The Eightfold Path).
Is karuna active or a state of mind?
- Karuna can be active but it is also a state of mind.
- Developing the attitude of Karuna will influence
actions - and consequently, has an effect on Karma and Samsara.
How do Buddhists believe Karuna will bring a change the world? (2 bullet points)
- Buddhists believe that learning how to be compassionate, and developing a desire to help others will bring about lasting change in the world.
- It can have a positive effect not only on one’s own karma but on the lives of others.
What is Metta? (4)
- Metta refers to the attitude of loving-kindness.
- It means to cultivate a loving, kind, friendly attitude towards all beings, even those who act unskilfully.
- No matter what a person has done, they are still a suffering human being who needs love and care just like everyone else.
- It is universal love for all beings.
What is Metta a wish for?
It is a wish for all beings to be happy and free from suffering without expecting anything in return.
How is loving-kindness (metta) different to compassion (karuna)?
Loving kindness is a general attitude to want all people to be happy, this transforms into compassion when you come into contact with someone who is suffering and you want to do what you can to alleviate their suffering.
How does metta have an effect on actions and karma?
Cultivating loving kindness extinguishes the three poisons and therefore has an effect on actions and karma.
How can metta be cultivated? (3)
- Loving kindness can be cultivated through meditation, in the same way as compassion.
- Through meditation the Buddhist develops wholesome or fruitful states of mind.
- Wholesome mind/intention – right action – wholesome Karma.
What will the characteristics of someone who has developed a wholesome state of mind be? (3)
- Will not be easily angered.
- Will be more caring, loving and likely to love without expecting anything in return.
- Does not possess ill will or hostility towards others and, therefore, feels at peace.
What do Buddhists try to cultivate an awareness of?
Buddhists try to cultivate an awareness of the effects that hatred and anger have on others and an awareness of the positive effects of love, care and warmth.
