cí-bēi (慈悲, loving-kindness “metta” -compassion “karuna”) and Wisdom
Ci-bei Dilemma
by Jiang Song
Loving-kindness
can be considered as being between compassion(慈悲) and wisdom that is the basic teaching of the
Buddha. And compassion is taken as two of the Four Noble Abidings (Brahmavihara).
because compassion in Chinese language has two meanings which are both correct loving-kindness
(mettā) and compassion (karunā).
For the word “compassion”, I think that there is not any suitable word/phrase
to use in translation. Therefore, we always employ the same word for compassion
(karunā) and loving-kindness(mettā).
If we come to understand loving-kindness and compassion in the phrase of
cí-bēi (慈悲) found in Buddhist Chinese scriptures(you
have to state what is understood.), we find that loving-kindness (mettā,
cí) can bring joy to others. According to “Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa”(大智度論), all beings prefer
pleasure over suffering, not only desire happiness but also fearing suffering,
for which hatred is cause of suffer and loving-kindness is the cause of
pleasantness. If beings hear and practice the samadhi (concentration) of
loving-kindness, their suffering can be eradicated leading to arise happiness.
Therefore, they should cultivate vigour and concentration while practise the
loving kindness meditation.[1]
We find that bēi (karunā, compassion)
can alleviate suffering for others. Such as “Mahāpurusa” also point out that Karuna (bēi,
compassion) always lets suffering toward self, but helps other to obtain
happiness. karuna (bēi, compassion) can not live
together with suffering at moment.[2] So, from above two sitation, whe know that
they are very difference, even though we often
combine them together while we are saying them. Wisdom on the other hand, is
the final element of the Six Perfections (paramita), and it is also the ultimate goal of
the practice. Cí-bēi (慈悲，loving-kindness/compassion) indeed is linked to wisdom/ Cí-bēi (慈悲) indeed links to wisdom.
Why
do we say this way? There is a story which I learn from the Jataka Tales of
Buddha.
The Buddha once was born as a merchant named Pindola(貧窶). He frequently traveled to
other countries/ another country for his business. One day, he went to breathe
fresh air on deck while he was boarding. He walked to the deck and stood and
gazed at the ocean/and stood there gazing at the ocean. He saw a large fish
chasing a group. And then the worried little fish tried frantically to escape. He,
Pindola, felt pity that could not assist them. He was deeply affected by
the cruel realities of the natural environment. By seeing this reality, he
considered: “the living of beings, continuously changing their forms, are
longstanding/endless; however, this fact is not understood by beings. Therefore,
we need: struggle and have conflicts with each other making resentment and
hatred arise. In order to help the little fishes, he jumped into the ocean
feeding the large fishes, at the same time.
After
passed away, he was reborn as the king of whales living with the fishes of the
ocean in a peaceful life/ as the king of whales ruling the fishes of the ocean
in a peaceful life. But one day, a small country near the coast of the sea
where the king of whales lived had a disaster. Here, the people did not have
enough food to eat, so they killed each other and engaged in cannibalism in
order to surviving. Therefore, knowing of this tragedy, he swam to the shore
hoping to employ his body to sustain the lives of the people.
The inhabitants seeing a large whale, were
overjoyed. The word quickly spread, and people thanked the gods for sending
food. After seeing the whale, in order to survive, the residents came to the
coast with knives, they sliced a piece of flesh from the whale. The massive
body was covered in wounds because of the inhabitants had cut away chunks of
flesh. As months passed, the whale succumbed to death because of his many
injuries. His great compassion (karunā) and
selfless loving-kindness (mettā) in
sacrificing his body for nourishing beings moved the deities. Ultimately, they
approached his side respectfully requesting/ with respect requesting: “compassionate
whale, you employ your body to nourish the inhabitants, and endure the
suffering of their slicing your body. Why do you not give up the body letting
them just eat your flesh?”
He
answered: “If I die, my remaining body will be quickly rotted. In such a way, the
inhabitants will be starved again and the cannibalism will happen once more, a
period, I do not want to see the tragic world appearing again. So, I have to
live in order to avoid that situation.” He was praised for loving-kindness by
the deities, and they told to him: “O king of whales! Your immense
loving-kindness will surely lead you to liberation and enlightenment in the
future.”
The
king of whales died when a resident forcefully struck down with an axe cutting
off the whale’s head. With death, the story of the whale is also ended.