Theos-Talk Archives (January 1998 Message tt00288)

Jan 21ST

Should we not consider that Compassion is compounded of wisdom,
discrimination and an endless willingness to offer one's service, whether
that be knowledge, experience, or actual physical assistance, wherever
one's karma takes us.  Most compassion is such as can be directed to one's
immediate environment  (on the thesis that we would not be in it under
Karma, unless we have a close relationship to that area and time).

The broader basis, helping those at a distance, as I recall the great
Buddha said that one ought not to offer charity through the hand of another
-- to easy for things to go awry ?



		Dallas TenBroeck

dalval@nwc.net                        (818) 222-8023
                   23145 Park Contessa,
            Calabasas, Ca., 91302, USA.

----------
> From: "M K Ramadoss" <ramadoss@eden.com>
> Subject: Re:Dependent or independent?
> Date: Wednesday, January 21, 1998 8:04 AM
>
> Lmhem111 wrote:
> >
> > mkr says:
> >
> > <All we can do is to make our little contribution to the solution.>
> >
> > This is true but the question is not being compassionate but how one
defines
> > compassion. Is making someone self-sufficient compassionate or is
making
> > someone dependent "compassionate"? Do you just feed the destitute ad
infinitum
> > or help them get on their collective feet by offering self-help
programs? The
> > good karma in giving is obvious. However, on the other side of the
coin, the
> > karma of just receiving endlessly seems to run counter to the notion of
"self-
> > induced and self-devised efforts" found in the Third Fundamental
Principle.
> > When the expectancy of continuously receiving sustenance from outside
sources
> > is always is there, doesn't that diminish the desire to pursue self-
> > improvement and self-help? In other words, when does outside
intervention
> > become counterproductive?
> >
> > Lmhem111
> >
> You have raised some important questions. I don't have answers.
>
> However, personally I take a very simple and basic approach. If I find
> someone hungry, I try to help what I can to relieve hunger. When I do
> that I do not think about Karma and other factors that may or may not be
> relevant. When I see some one injured and bleeding, I try to stop and
> help without looking at the causes which led to the problem or cures to
> avoid repetition.
>
> May be one day as time goes on, I may get a better understanding of how
> the massive problems of hunger and suffering should be addressed. In the
> meanwhile it is good to discuss these issues freely.
>
> Regards
>
> mkr
>
>