Open AccessCompassion in the Lotus Sutra and Benevolent Love in the Analects: A Reflection from the Confucian Perspective
Author(s) -
Xinzhong Yao,
Qun Dong
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
buddhist studies review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.109
H-Index - 4
eISSN - 1747-9681
pISSN - 0265-2897
DOI - 10.1558/bsrv.v28i2.171
Subject(s) - compassion , buddhism , perspective (graphical) , meaning (existential) , china , lotus , psychology , philosophy , sociology , social psychology , literature , epistemology , theology , art , law , political science , ecology , biology , visual arts
This article is intended to examine and then compare ci bei (‘compassion’) in the Lotus S?tra and ren (‘benevolent love’) in the Analects of Confucius. Despite many similarities, compassion and benevolent love have shown a difference between Mah?y?na Buddhist ethics and the Confucian moral system. This difference is revealed in the content and meaning of compassion and benevolent love, but more importantly through the ways they are practised, followed and expanded. Through different ways or paths, compassion and benevolent love have nevertheless established two different and yet mutually supplementary ideals that guide the spiritual and moral world of China and other parts of East Asia.