If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion -The Dalai Lama-

As human beings we all want to be happy and free from misery. We have learned that the key to happiness is inner peace. The greatest obstacles to inner peace are disturbing emotions such as anger and attachment, fear and suspicion, while love and compassion, a sense of universal responsibility are the sources of peace and happiness. -Dalai Lama-

I can't help but wonder if that's really true.

If that is true, then why are their nasty people who repeatedly do nasty things?

I think it may be true for many people. Clearly the Dalai Lama is a person who values peace and happiness.

But was it true of Saddam Hussein?

Was it true of Adolph Hitler?

Is it true for men who beat their wives and kick their dogs?

It might be far-reaching to assume that all humans seek happiness.

Some seem to have other agendas.

It seems to me that if all humans were seeking happiness then they would.

What seems to be more true to me is that some humans actually prefer to be mean and seek misery.

The ones who seeking happiness just don't understand how anyone could be trule sadistic (or even masochistic).

But it sure seem like sadists and masochists actually exist.

The passive people just can't accept that they exists is all.

Isn't that where compassion comes in?
Think about it.
Compassion comes with trying to understand, and trying to feel what others feel.

Those who were cruel did not have compassion in their life because they all grew up without much compassion in their surroundings. They clearly needed it. They grew up with much anger and hatred - in Buddhism one would say suffering.

We all suffer one way or another. Some more and others less. Buddhist are aware of this and guide you in understanding how to deal with it.

Cruelty is not a natural human emotion. It is built by previous activities. If it is from peer pressure or jealously of not having.

One way to look at this is to try to figure out why Hitler was the way he was, or any tyrannt at time of history. Ask yourself how did it become that they were the way they are.

It doesn't excuse anything, but you will see that compassion is something we should practice in our life to promote peace around the world. Without it we will never have peace.

Have you practiced compassion today?

its all karma.

I practice compassion every day Smiless.

What's your idea of compassion?

To never disagree with anyone?

Is that what you believe I understand on compassion because I don't debate with different belief systems? I learned that the only one who will change their own minds on faith is the person themself. No one can do it for him or her.

You see in a world of hate and violence, there are still those who remain, in the strictest sense, detached from such destructive feelings. Individuals see themselves as kind and benevolent while we are always trying to change others. In reality, the only ones we can change are ourselves.

In order for us to change the world, then, we must start with ourselves.

Many have the misconception of the idea of unconditional love and compassion for one another and the fear we have of being taken advantage of.

People have a certain idea that if we are compassionate then we just sit there and say "Oh, it's all ok. You beat me up yesterday but I forgive you so I'll let you beat me up again today because that is cultivating compassion. But that is stupidity, not compassion. There is a difference.

Compassion is simply the wish for living beings to be free of what causes their suffering. In essence compassion means wishing others well and helping if possible.

Most people commit crimes because they are in a state of internal unhappiness. That is a vital moment in which they need to be wished happiness the most, not the instinctive hate our society has been taught to offer.

I am aware of the difficulty of forgiveness, especially when we've been greatly wronged. We can hold onto the hatred for years and years and where does it get us? Nowhere. When we hold onto hatred, we are the ones who suffer not the other. So when will you let go?

Forgiveness is letting go of anger and hatred that would otherwise make us miserable and those around us miserable.

I am aware you understand compassion, but do you actually practice it? Are you free from your suffering? If not what can you do to change this.

I have been a very compassionate and loving person my entire life.

I haven't seen the world change because of this.

I've been on the planet for 60 years.

No change yet.

I'm still waiting.

Surely you aren't trying to suggest that voicing opinions on an internet forum is somehow "uncompassionate"?

I am not saying that you do not have compassion. I do see some suffering, but we all have it one way or another. Some more then others. It is how we deal with it that gives the outcome of how we want to view this world.

You can voice on the internet however you like. I am no authority on this. If you strongly disagree with something why shouldn't you not express it. It is your right.

Yet one can strongly disagree and still manage to get that persons hand to shake. It is up to you if you want to do that. Everyone has their own ways of debating.

It is up to you James how you wish to discuss matters. In the end you are the one that goes to bed satisfied or not.

As for me I salute you with a glass of cognac and will continue to preach the importance of peace, compassion, and forgiveness.

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion -The Dalai Lama-

Have a great day everyone

did he make that statment before or after he was exiled

It matters not when he preached this, what matters is the meaning behind the message.

what one preach is in reference to one's frame of mind at the time the statment was made ..this means it could have a different meaning depending ..

before the exile the dalai lama and other's regarded him to be a living God like Jesus Christ and as Jesus preach love as a form of pacivity or control so could the Dalia Lama use compassion as the same means ...

and if the statement were made after the exile the Dalia Lama may have been crying crocodile tears for compassion as an inducment to get his country and power back ...

Funches.

The king of compassion.

How are you doing sir?

hey "Abracadbra" ...if I'm King of Compassion then the Christians would surely crown you King of Kings

I think they already have crowned me the King of Kings.

The question now becomes,...

Witch Kingdom?

Witch Kingdom? ..that's where "Krimsa's" reign...and you don't want to make her angry

in the end he has been preaching the meaning of compassion either way,which I am sure in his studies have been practiced for thousands of years.

haven't you notice all those that make claims of being human Gods have that habit of preaching compassion ..

because without the power of a God to back up their claims of being human Gods they know that one day they may find themselves in a predicament when they may need some compassion ...

that is how it is used as a form of control ... compassion and passivity keeps them in power