Sleep Course India: 15 Bokar Monastery

Published: Feb. 5, 2021, 9:10 a.m.

Compassion plays an important role in Buddhist thought. This applies to both monks and followers, in religious practice and in daily life. Compassion has three forms: First, actual compassion, defined as compassion for the suffering of others. Second, compassionate joy, the joy when happiness is with others, and third, goodness of the heart: Kindness, the Buddhist virtue par excellence. Kindness of the heart is an indispensable part of the training of both monks and laypeople, because for Buddhists only the spiritual act, the intention or attitude, and not the act itself counts. Buddha wants goodness of the heart, kindness and compassion in the whole Buddhist world become a role model for humanity. The Buddhist monastic orders are based on humanity. The monasteries are based on the generosity of lay followers and believers. It's a symbiosis. The believers give food and physical support to the monks, while the monks offer wisdom to the believers. The relationships are based on a long-term exchange of gifts. The gifts are of very different kinds, but are given with a free heart and through them lasting bonds are created. It is this large community that gives Buddhism its true-to-life success. Buddhists view kindness of heart as a talent that can be developed. You can learn it, because it’s a skill. Like a craftsman: the work becomes better through practice and repetition. Kindness of the heart is actively pursued and gives the individual support in the society of those who give. Compassion begins with the intimate encounter and contact with your own essence. Compassion and kindness begins in loving mindfulness towards yourself. Self love. To do this, you have to accept who you are. Without rating. Without repression. Without victim awareness. Without comparing. The way you accept your beloved child no matter what they do. Realize that you only learn from mistakes. Look forward to your potential that you are about to develop. A child learns to walk only by trying things out, falling down and getting up again. Practice experiencing yourself without judging yourself. Without judgment like a child discovering the world. Meditation helps you practice non-judgment. Observing your own breath offers you a good practice field with many challenges.