If 'anatta', then why compassion?

[tilakkhana]

I know this is probably a common question but I can't think of where to look up the answer.

Is there anywhere in the Suttas where Buddha explains why realisation of anatta leads to compassion? If there is no self, and one realises this, wouldn't they more like stop treating everybody else as individual selves too?

And, I speak with the most humble respect for the Sangha, but how do bhikkhus act compassionately for the good of all beings if they are away from the mundane world within the monastic setting? Is the effects of their compassion limited merely to the lay followers that reach out to them?

[m0rl0ck]

No one thing is "your self" so in a sense everything and everyone is ones self, so you treat them with that respect. As if all selves were but limbs on the same body. Thus compassion arises, you could no more harm another than you could cut the limb from your own body. Thats the theory as i understand it anyway.

[Kenshou]

Because there are beings, bundles of khandhas, that are suffering, we have compassion.

The fact of not-self doesn't negate the fact that there is suffering happening (though understanding it helps ease suffering), and it also doesn't say that the individual is an illusion and that we are all the same or that we are all part of one big self. There is no substantial constant nugget of self-essence within a being, but that does not change the fact that beings exist and that they suffer. I think.

[rowyourboat]

I agree with the above two posts. I might add- the purpose of the dhamma is not compassion, as noble a goal that is. Compassion is only part of the solution to the problem of suffering. Cessation of suffering is the goal and everything else is in aid of that. You might find other disciplines who are better at compassion than Buddhists. That is not our main concern, even though we are compassionate. I think many people confuse this issue.

with metta

RYB

[Monkey Mind]

And, I speak with the most humble respect for the Sangha, but how do bhikkhus act compassionately for the good of all beings if they are away from the mundane world within the monastic setting? Is the effects of their compassion limited merely to the lay followers that reach out to them?

Because I was very skeptical about this, too, I challenged myself to participate in dana meals at a monastery recently. I don't know what the official Pali Cannon answer is to this, but my personal answer: I was very inspired by the incredible amount of gratitude, humility, and cherrfulness/metta displayed by the monks.

[AdvaitaJ]

If there is no self, and one realises this, wouldn't they more like stop treating everybody else as individual selves too?

... but how do bhikkhus act compassionately for the good of all beings if they are away from the mundane world within the monastic setting? Is the effects of their compassion limited merely to the lay followers that reach out to them?

Tilakhana,

I know you asked for sutta quotes, but I wanted to convey a bit of personal experience instead. As I've started to grasp the reality of anatta, I've realized how much of my own personal suffering I had generated by trying to bolster and maintain that all-important self-image. Once you begin to detect it in yourself, you can sometimes see it in others, too. When you see how much pain some people inflict on themselves in support of their "self", it's hard not to feel compassion for them.

As for your second question, I've had only one real meeting with a monk but even that was enough to reveal the tremendous benefits available to all of us by their maintenance of the teachings and the example they set. Had I never met a monk, I would still feel I have benefitted greatly by their chosen existence.

Regards: Jim

[Shonin]

No quotes from me either right now, sorry. However...

If 'anatta', then why compassion?

Because self-centredness falls away, the walls between us fall away.

[PeterB]

Because there are beings, bundles of khandhas, that are suffering, we have compassion.

The fact of not-self doesn't negate the fact that there is suffering happening (though understanding it helps ease suffering), and it also doesn't say that the individual is an illusion and that we are all the same or that we are all part of one big self. There is no substantial constant nugget of self-essence within a being, but that does not change the fact that beings exist and that they suffer. I think.

The idea that we are all one being and should somehow merge into an boundary free integrated whole is good Hinduism.
And very bad Buddhism.

[Rui Sousa]

The object of compassion is not other beings "soul". The object of compassion is suffering.

Following the Noble Eightfold Path is an act of compassion towards one's own mind, compassion is the desire to eliminate suffering. No need for a self.

[shjohnk]

Great posts by everyone! Thanks for helping me understand this concept

[tilakkhana]

Wonderful. Many helpful responses. Thank you, all. Metta.