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Compassion Talks

Compassion is a social feeling that motivates people to go out of their way to relieve the physical, mental, or emotional pains of others and themselves. Compassion is sensitivity to the emotional aspects of the suffering of others. When based on notions such as fairness, justice, and interdependence, it may be considered partially rational in nature.
Compassion involves "feeling for another" and is a precursor to empathy, the "feeling as another" capacity (as opposed to sympathy, the "feeling towards another"). In common parlance, active compassion is the desire to alleviate another's suffering.
Compassion involves allowing oneself to be moved by suffering to help alleviate and prevent it. An act of compassion is one that is intended to be helpful. Other virtues that harmonize with compassion include patience, wisdom, kindness, perseverance, warmth, and resolve. It is often, though not inevitably, the key component in altruism. The difference between sympathy and compassion is that the former responds to others' suffering with sorrow and concern whereas the latter responds with warmth and care. An article in Clinical Psychology Review suggests that "compassion consists of three facets: noticing, feeling, and responding".
In Buddhism, compassion is the heartfelt wish to relieve the suffering of all beings, paired with the courage to act. Compassionate actions plant seeds of joy in others—and in ourselves—making them a true source of lasting happiness.
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The Bodhisattva Way of Friendship in the Face of Fear Practice, Buddha, Compassion |
Jul 12 2025 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Our Zen Ancestors Employ the Teachings of the Great Scripture to Illuminate the Bodhisattva Precepts Work, Compassion, Buddha |
Apr 12 2025 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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What's the Point? - Part Two Compassion, Buddha, Practice |
Dec 14 2024 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Flower Adornment Scripture - Book Ten - On Buddha's Compassion and Fields of Blessing - Part One Compassion, Suffering, Bodhisattva |
Sep 14 2024 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Flower Adornment Scripture - Book Ten - A Bodhisattva Continuously Asks for Clarification Compassion, Suffering, Bodhisattva |
Sep 14 2024 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Compassion with the Controlling ImpulseEmphasizing compassion and de-emphasizing trying to control. Compassion with the impulse to try to control. Being careful without trying to control. Impartiality towards the outcome; for example,... Compassion, control, Non-grasping, Lovingkindness, Avalokiteshvara, Avalokiteshvara,... |
Feb 04 2023 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Compassion Beyond Control Boundaries Compassion, Lovingkindness, Avalokiteshvara |
Feb 04 2023 |
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Compassionate Paths to Buddhahood Buddha, Compassion, Bodhisattva |
Jan 13 2023 |
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The Zazen of the Buddhas' Is Great CompassionThe zazen of the buddhas is great compassion.The most common type of compassion is compassion towards suffering as it appears to us. It sees living beings and their suffering as independently... Compassion, Han, Pukkasati, Birth-and-Death, Suzuki Roshi, Practice Period, Intimacy... |
Dec 10 2022 No Abode Hermitage |
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Cultivating Compassion Through Gentle Zen Practice, Compassion, Buddha |
Dec 02 2022 Green Gulch Farm |
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Embodying Stillness Through Compassion Compassion, Bell, Suzuki Roshi |
Dec 01 2022 Green Gulch Farm |
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Embodied Compassion Through Just Sitting Compassion, Transmission, Practice |
Nov 30 2022 Green Gulch Farm |
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Great Compassion in Ritual Practice Compassion, Practice, Delusion |
Nov 21 2022 |
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Embracing Dragons in Zazen Practice Compassion, Practice, Instruction |
Oct 22 2022 |
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Integrating Ethics and Wisdom in Zazen Compassion, Practice, Concentration |
Jan 2022 |
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Protecting and Liberating All BeingsA residential retreat at Mount Madonna. MtMadonna-2021-Fall, Compassion, Diversity, Intimacy, Faith, Observe, Conversation,... |
Nov 21 2021 1 of 2 Mount Madonna Center |
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Layers of Compassion Unveiled Compassion, Practice, Suffering |
Nov 21 2021 |
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Compassionate Consciousness Through Zen Awakening Sangha, Compassion, Gratitude |
Nov 21 2021 |
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Compassionate Consciousness: Path to Enlightenment Consciousness, Karmic Consciousness, Compassion |
Nov 20 2021 Mount Madonna Center |
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Beyond Preferences: Embracing Zen Practice Buddha, Suffering, Compassion |
Nov 20 2021 Mount Madonna Center |
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Embracing Vows: Compassionate Community Practice Compassion, Vow, Practice |
Nov 20 2021 Mount Madonna Center |
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Unraveling Self in Zen Stories Study, Karmic Consciousness, Compassion |
Nov 20 2021 4 Mount Madonna Center |
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Protecting and Liberating All BeingsA residential weekend retreat at Mount Madonna. MtMadonna-2021-Fall, Compassion, Intimacy, Observe, Zazen, Bodhidharma, American... |
Nov 19 2021 Mount Madonna Center |
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Zen's Path: Compassionate Connection Intimacy, Suffering, Compassion |
Nov 19 2021 Mount Madonna Center |
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The Science of CompassionA virtual Dharma talk by Tenshin Roshi for an online gathering of the No Abode community Enlightenment, Compassion, Karmic Consciousness, Yangshan, Non-thinking, ... |
Nov 13 2021 No Abode Hermitage Online |
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Cultivating Compassionate Minds Through Zen Consciousness, Compassion, Karmic Consciousness |
Nov 13 2021 No Abode Hermitage |
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Wisdom and Compassion in Harmony Compassion, Observe, Anger |
Nov 12 2021 |
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Impartial Path to Universal Compassion Compassion, Hate, Equanimity |
Nov 10 2021 |
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Compassion's Path to Enlightenment Compassion, Attachment, Lotus Sutra |
Oct 27 2021 |
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Compassionate Inquiry into Systemic Injustice Compassion, Buddha, Time |
Oct 20 2021 The Yoga Room |
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Scientific Inquiry into Compassion's Path Compassion, Observe, Pain |
Oct 13 2021 |
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Exploring Compassion Through Unending Inquiry Compassion, confusion, Study |
Oct 02 2021 |
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Compassion's Creative Path to Liberation Suffering, Pain, Compassion |
Aug 28 2021 |
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Compassionate Generosity: Transforming Through Giving Compassion, Practice, Generosity |
Aug 18 2021 |
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Compassion Unveiled: Zen's Path to Joy Compassion, Generosity, Happiness |
Aug 11 2021 |
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Joyful Suffering Within Compassion Compassion, Pain, Enlightenment |
Aug 04 2021 |
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Beyond Sentiment: Discovering True Compassion Compassion, Suffering, Practice |
Jul 21 2021 |
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Embracing Compassion Beyond Duality Compassion, Suffering, Time |
Jul 13 2021 |
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Three Types of CompassionSerial: RA-04564 The first in-person meeting at No Abode since 2020
Great compassion, Suzuki Roshi, Compassion, Pain, Emotions |
Jul 10 2021 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Compassion Liberates Us From HindrancesSerial: RA-04565 The first in-person gathering at No Abode since 2020
Compassion, Buddha, Practice |
Jul 10 2021 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Zen Path to Infinite Compassion Compassion, Pain, Anger |
Jul 06 2021 |
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Caring for Everything as AwakeningA virtual Dharma talk by Tenshin Roshi for an online gathering of the No Abode Community via Zoom. Zoom, Coronavirus, Buddha, Precepts, Compassion |
May 02 2020 No Abode Hermitage Online |
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Beyond Awakening: Embracing Endless Practice Karmic Consciousness, Compassion, Delusion |
Jan 2020 |
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Our Original Home Compassion, Practice, Suffering |
Jul 13 2019 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Our Original HomeSerial: RA-04490 Human consciousness limits reality so that it can grasp "things".
Torei, Consciousness, Compassion, Buddha, Consciousness |
Jul 13 2019 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Compassionate Stillness: Practicing Zazen Together Suffering, Compassion, Time |
Jul 06 2019 Tassajara |
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After Generations Of Nobility, Temporarily Fallen Into PovertyBuddha nature. Story about Uncle Mi and Dongshan discussing a rabbit crossing the road.Lotus Sutra story about the destitute child. Enlightenment and delusion. Human agency (or training) and... Buddha Nature, Koan, Enlightenment, Compassion, Practice, Work |
Jun 08 2019 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Buddha Activity in Everyday Practice Enlightenment, Compassion, Intimacy |
Mar 11 2019 |
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What Is Most Important For You In This LifeWe are all creating the space together for people to have profound experience in zazen. Kind and unkind thoughts are opportunities to express the Buddha mind. Compassion towards wholesome and... Compassion, Buddha Mind, Mill Valley, Gratitude, Repentance, Enemies, Nirvana,... |
Feb 02 2019 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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What Is Most Important For You In This Life?Serial: RA-04464 We are all creating the space together for people to have profound experience in zazen. Kind and unkind thoughts are opportunities to express the Buddha mind. Compassion... Compassion, Buddha Mind, Buddha, Practice |
Feb 02 2019 PM No Abode Hermitage |