Compassion – Daoism

Daoism teaches that if one is in harmony with the Way they will effortlessly enter an authentic state of virtue where they are compassionate, moderate, humble, and flexible.

Effortless

The sage follows the Way because it is the highest path.

“The master abides in the fruit and not in the husk. She dwells in the Dao, and not with the things that hide it. This is how she increases in wisdom.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 38

When in harmony with the Way one effortlessly enters a state of virtue.

The greatest virtue you can have comes from following only the Dao; which takes a form that is intangible and evasive.“

Dao De Jing, Chapter 21

Striving

The sage never strives for virtue because this is forced and superficial.

“No one tells them to honor the Dao and its virtue, it happens all by itself. So the Dao gives them birth, and its virtue cultivates them, cares for them, nurtures them, gives them a place of refuge and peace, helps them to grow and shelters them.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 51

If one actively tries to be virtuous it is artificial and insincere.

“When the Dao is forgotten, there is righteousness. When righteousness is forgotten, there is morality. When morality is forgotten, there is the law. The law is the husk of faith, and trust is the beginning of chaos.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 38

Virtues

The sage has compassion for all people.

“The Master’s mind is shut off from the world. Only for the sake of the people does she muddle her mind. They look to her in anticipation. Yet she treats them all as her children.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 49

They are benevolent, righteous, wise, knowledgeable, flexible, and loyal.

“The kind person acts from the heart, and accomplishes a multitude of things. The righteous person acts out of pity, yet leaves many things undone. The moral person will act out of duty, and when no one will respond will roll up his sleeves and use force.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 38

The three most important virtues are compassion, moderation, and humility.

“There are three jewels that I cherish: compassion, moderation, and humility.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 67

Leadership

For this reason ancient leaders didn’t seek to teach virtue, but encouraged others to follow the Way.

“Forget about knowledge and wisdom, and people will be a hundred times better off. Throw away charity and righteousness, and people will return to brotherly love. Throw away profit and greed, and there won’t be any thieves. These three are superficial and aren’t enough to keep us at the center of the circle.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 19

Summary

If one is in harmony with the Way they will effortlessly enter a state of virtue. The sage never strives for virtue because this is forced, superficial, and insincere. They are benevolent, righteous, wise, knowledgeable, flexible, and loyal but the three most important virtues are compassion, moderation, and humility. Ancient leaders didn’t teach virtue but encouraged others to follow the Way.

Resource:

Tao Te Ching, Laozi, A Translation for the Public Domain by J.H. McDonald, 1996.

Next: Compassion

The Dao De Jing outlines how one can live according to the Way of existence. Compassion is considered one of the three treasure of the Way and involves helping those that are rejected, weak, and alone.

“There are three jewels that I cherish: compassion, moderation, and humility. With compassion, you will be able to be brave.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 67

Live for Others

The sage sees others as themself. They empathize with families, towns, nations, and the entire world.

“Then observe the person for what the person does, and observe the family for what it does, and observe the community for what it does, and observe the country for what it does, and observe the world for what it does.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 54

They love the world as much as their own body.

“Love the whole world as if it were your self; then you will truly care for all things.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 13

They become fulfilled by putting themselves last.

“The Master puts herself last; and finds herself in the place of authority. She detaches herself from all things; Therefore she is united with all things. She gives no thought to self. She is perfectly fulfilled.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 7

Isolated

The sage helps those who are alone or isolated. They make sure that people have what they need to survive.

“Thus the Master is willing to help everyone, and doesn’t know the meaning of rejection. She is there to help all of creation, and doesn’t abandon even the smallest creature. This is called embracing the light.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 27

They help those who are rejected.

“The supreme good is like water, which benefits all of creation without trying to compete with it. It gathers in unpopular places. Thus it is like the Dao.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 8

They see the small and protect the weak.

“To understand the small is called clarity. Knowing how to yield is called strength. To use your inner light for understanding regardless of the danger is called depending on the Constant.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 52

Faithful

Compassion can be challenging because it means being good to those who are not good. Being faithful to those who are not faithful.

“Those who are good she treats as good. Those who aren’t good she also treats as good. This is how she attains true goodness. She trusts people who are trustworthy. She also trusts people who aren’t trustworthy.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 49

To return the animosity of others with compassion.

“If you give evil nothing to oppose, then virtue will return by itself.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 60

Summary

Compassion is one of the three treasure of the Way and involves the sage loving the world has much as themself. They are fulfilled by putting themself last. The sage helps those who are alone and make sure people have what they need. They help the rejected, small, and weak. Compassion an be challenging because it means returning the animosity of others with virtue.

Resource:

Tao Te Ching, Laozi, A Translation for the Public Domain by J.H. McDonald, 1996.

Next: Moderation