All Time Short Stories
    • Home
    • Inspirational
    • Motivational
    • Love Stories
      • Heartwarming stories
    • Life
    • Moral
    • Funny Stories
    • Fable
      • Panchatantra Stories
      • Aesop
    All Time Short Stories
    Home»Zen»What is compassion?
    Zen

    What is compassion?

    compassion- zen story
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    A young disciple approached his Master and asked,’ Master, you always tell us to be kind and compassionate. But what is compassion?”

    After thinking, the wise teacher asked the young student to peek out the window. Master led him to the window and directed his attention to the beggar sitting on the corner of the street. While looking at him, they noticed that an old lady had walked by and given him a coin.

    After a while, a merchant wearing elaborate clothes passed by and gave him five coins to the beggar. 

    After a while, a mother and a child passed the street. The young child noticed the beggar and handed him a flower he was carrying.

    After looking at these three incident, the Master asked the student, “Which of these do you believe felt the most compassion for the beggar?” 

    “Merchant did as he gave the beggar five coins,” answered the young pupil.

    The Master smiled at the pupil and answered, “You see, an elderly lady passing by was infuriated by the beggar’s poverty, so she gave him a gold coin,” The old lady behaved out of pity for the beggar.

    After that, we observed a merchant see a small gathering of people talking about him, so he handed the beggar five coins and swiftly left. Merchant acted with pride. He wanted to show off his money to those folks while demonstrating that he has a huge kind heart and enjoys helping others. He tried to up his social image and boost his ego.

    Later, we noticed a child carrying some flowers, and when he walked by the beggar, he smiled and handed him a flower. He did not have pride or pity or want to boost his ego or social image. He acted with love. That little child was the one who responded compassionately.”

    “Compassion is considerably larger and nobler than pity,” Master said. Fear is the source of pity. When fear touches someone’s anguish, it turns into pity; when love touches someone’s pain and suffering, it becomes compassion.

    So, to comprehend compassion, we must recognize that all beings are the same and suffer in a similar manner. We must acknowledge those who suffer and realize that we are neither different nor superior to anybody.”

    Related Posts

    Salt in water- Zen story

    Salt in water 

    Recent Posts
    One step at a time- story

    One Step at a time

    October 28, 2022
    frog and the mouse

    The Frog and the Mouse

    October 17, 2022
    marketing story about selling a comb

    Selling a comb to a bald monk

    October 14, 2022
    compassion- zen story

    What is compassion?

    September 20, 2022
    elephant and pig story

    The Elephant and a pig

    September 18, 2022
    lead by action- leadership story

    Lead by action

    September 17, 2022
    Bowl of Curry rice- Story about patience

    A hot plate of Rice

    September 12, 2022
    Chain of Kindness- Heart touching

    Chain of Kindness

    September 11, 2022
    Salt in water- Zen story

    Salt in water 

    September 11, 2022
    Story about life- It is not complicated

    It is not that complicated

    September 3, 2022
    © 2023 All Time Short Stories

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.