Raven 106: Compassion

compassion (n), literally "a suffering with another," from Latin com "with, together" + pati "to suffer."

"Absorbing world sounds awakens a Buddha right here. This Buddha, the source of compassion -- this Buddha receives only compassion. Buddha, dharma, sangha — just compassion. Thus the pure heart always rejoices." (from "Boundless Compassion")

It's not that compassion is entirely hidden, just that it isn't entirely on display either. So tell me, what stars do you wear on your fur? Whence do they get their light?

Case

Mole spoke up after a long silence one evening and asked, "What's compassion?"
Raven said, "That's an inside story."
Mole asked, "Inside what?"
Raven said, "Stars on your fur."

Verse

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord." --Isaiah 1:18

Yahweh, in Isaiah's vision, chastised a sinful nation,
Promised reward for obedience, punishment otherwise.
This is not reasoning; bribes and threats
Are not arguments.

Suppose instead: Come, let us remember that we suffer together.
Meanwhile, karma accumulates as it does,
And we of shared loss
Are not hindered.

Case by Robert Aitken; introduction and verse by Meredith Garmon

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