I don't know anything about Shantideva - but here is another bit of input from this Buddhist. According to Shantideva, practices of compassion must be a part of an intricate constellation of virtues and practices. Compassion is never isolated from a broader tapestry of virtues, which include patience and forbearance. For Shantideva, this constellation of virtues must also always rest on the axiom of conditionality. That all things arise from conditions and causes is the foundation of compassion's ability not to rush to judgment. Conditionality grounds every being in the shared tragic structure of existence. This understanding of conditions does not absolve individuals of responsibility, but it prevents the demonization of any one person. It also prevents any simplistic understanding of guilt and blame. The complicated fabric of compassion gives us latitude of vision. All of us become who we are in a tangled, complicated web of conditions and causes. We become a compassionate people as we become more and more whole ourselves. When we see our light and dark sides and realize that all of us carry around such baggage we become more and more free to reach out and care for the other without letting all of the 'stuff' between us and in us keep us at a distance. I know that it can be too easy to demonize. I hate that about myself. To move through that temptation demands patience and forbearance (as noted above). It also demands that I listen to others who I prayerfully hope will help me see my biases so that compassion can become a part of my life. I don't find that as an easy task. But - it is essential. We will never be able to become untangled from all of our stuff. Maybe we can be helped along the way to untangle ourselves. Then we will be free to be open to engaging the other no matter what we think they have done or what they deserve. Connection: There is a hymn that asks "bind us together, Lord." As that happens, it could be that we become less and less bound up by our own stuff - our brokenness - our fear. Gather us as one, O God, for it is as one - in your name - that we begin to take in the shalom of your blessed Reign. Amen. |
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