Lesson video

Hello, my name's Ms. Ramalli and welcome to today's RE lesson which forms part of our unit on "Buddhism: practises." In today's lesson, we are going to be exploring key Buddhist virtues of compassion and loving-kindness.

Today's lesson outcome is I can explain the significance of compassion and loving-kindness and how Buddhists might develop it today.

To help our learning in today's lesson, there are three keywords.

Compassion, also known as karuna.

Loving-kindness, often referred to as metta.

And the Four Sublime States.

Compassion means sympathy and concern for the suffering of others.

Loving-kindness refers to a pure love which is selfless and not possessive.

And the Four Sublime States are four qualities that the Buddha taught should be developed.

Today's lesson on "Compassion and loving-kindness" takes two parts.

First of all, we're going to begin by exploring the significance of compassion.

Once the Buddha had achieved enlightenment, he faced a dilemma about what he should do with the knowledge and insight he had gained.

He could have kept the knowledge he had gained himself, or shared the knowledge and teach others.

Here you can consider, what might be the benefits and challenges be of each of those choices? Pause the video here and either on your own take time to reflect, or with your partner, discuss the question.

Press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

The Buddha could see the difficulties and suffering, or dukkha, that people were facing.

He chose to share his knowledge with others out of compassion.

In Buddhism, compassion is referred to as karuna.

Compassion is one of the Four Sublime States.

Remember, the Four Sublime States are qualities that the Buddha taught should be developed.

The Buddha taught the Four Sublime States are virtues that develop skillful actions.

In this lesson, we will learn about compassion and loving-kindness.

Compassion, the sympathy and concern for the suffering of others.

Loving-kindness, a pure love which is selfless and not possessive.

But we also have the third sublime state, sympathetic joy, meaning the ability to rejoice in the happiness of others.

And the fourth sublime state, equanimity.

The ability to remain calm and balanced in all situations.

In this lesson, we're going to focus on compassion and loving-kindness.

Let's complete a check for understanding.

Which term means compassion in Buddhism? A, metta; B, karuna; or C, equanimity.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Well done if you selected B, karuna.

Karuna is the term that means compassion in Buddhism.

Sam is talking to Mel, a British Tibetan Buddhist, about the importance of compassion.

Sam asks, "Why do you think compassion is important, Mel?" Mel says, "I believe that compassion is key to a happier existence.

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama and the head monk of Tibetan Buddhism, highlighted its importance.

The Dalai Lama said that the key to a happier and more successful world is the growth of compassion." Katrina, a Mahayana Buddhist, explains why developing compassion is important to her.

Katrina tells us, "As a Buddhist, I believe I must show compassion to others as well as myself.

Compassion is a significant quality to develop.

I believe that I cannot be truly happy whilst others in the world are suffering.

In Mahayana Buddhism, compassion is a significant quality to develop to become a bodhisattva." Mike, a Mahayana Buddhist and British scientist, explains why developing compassion is important to him.

Mike says, "As a Buddhist, I believe that compassion must be developed with wisdom.

If, for example, a group of scientists develop a new explosive, they must have the wisdom to understand the potential and power of the invention.

Without compassion or wisdom, the formula may be sold and cause harm to many.

It is important that compassion and wisdom are developed together." True or false? Buddhists believe that compassion and wisdom should be developed together.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Well done if you said that statement is true.

Sam is talking to Katrina about developing the virtue of compassion.

Sam asks, "As a Buddhist, how do you develop compassion?" Katrina says, "I volunteer with the Karuna Trust here in the UK.

I help with fundraising and outreach, talking to people about how the charity puts Buddhist virtues like compassion into action.

It's a way of living out the Buddha's teachings that we should reduce suffering and help others, especially people living in poverty." Sam asks, "What kind of projects does the Karuna Trust help with?" Katrina says, "The Karuna Trust has supported projects like solar-powered health centres in India, helping people in remote villages access proper medical care.

For me, a Buddhist response is about using compassion to make lasting change." How does Katrina's volunteering with the Karuna Trust reflect the Buddhist teaching on compassion? Either on your own take some time to reflect, or with your partner, discuss the question.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

Let's complete a check for understanding.

Select two ways the Karuna Trust responds with compassion.

A, it helps people living in luxury.

B, it helps people access proper medical care.

Or C, it helps people living in poverty.

Remember, for this check for understanding you're looking to select two answers.

Good luck, pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Well done if you selected B and C.

Two ways the Karuna Trust responds with compassion is by helping people access proper medical care and helping people living in poverty.

So now we're going to pause and complete a practise task.

So here we have the statement, "Buddhists should develop compassion to help others." Complete the table by developing each point into an argument for the statement.

So here we have three points.

Number one, compassion is one of the Four Sublime States.

Two, one way Buddhists could develop compassion is by supporting the work of a charity.

And three, the 14th Dalai Lama taught that compassion is an important virtue.

So remember, you need to complete the table by developing each of the points into an argument for the statement.

Good luck, pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Welcome back, everyone.

Time to check your answers for the first practise task.

So in your answer you could have said compassion is one of the Four Sublime States.

Most Buddhists believe the Buddha taught the Four Sublime States because they develop skillful actions.

This is why Buddhists should develop compassion.

One way Buddhists could develop compassion is by supporting the work of a charity.

The Karuna Trust puts the Buddhist virtue of compassion into action by helping those living in poverty and trying to reduce suffering.

And lastly, the 14th Dalai Lama taught that compassion is an important virtue.

The Dalai Lama said that the key to a happier and more successful world is the growth of compassion.

Therefore, many Buddhists will want to develop this virtue to increase the success and happiness of others.

Well done on all of your hard work completing the first practise task.

So now we're gonna move on to the second and final part of today's lesson by learning about the significance of loving-kindness.

Loving-kindness is one of the Four Sublime States, or four qualities, as taught by the Buddha.

Loving-kindness is known as metta in Buddhism.

Buddhists aim to develop the quality of loving-kindness towards themselves and others.

Sam has been learning about Buddhism.

Her teacher has asked her to reflect on a teaching from the Buddha.

"Just as a mother would protect with her life her own son, one should cultivate an unbounded mind towards all beings and loving-kindness towards all the world." Sam says, "The Buddha seems to be saying that as a mother would show boundless love to her child, Buddhists should develop a mindset of loving-kindness to all beings everywhere." What does this suggest about the significance of loving-kindness? So with your partner, discuss the question, or on your own, take some time to reflect.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

Okay, let's complete a check for understanding.

What is the missing word? Just as a mother would protect with her life her own son, one should cultivate an unbounded mind towards all beings and towards all the world.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check the missing word.

Well done if you said the missing word is loving-kindness.

Sam is talking to Niti, who is a Theravada monk, about compassion and loving-kindness.

Sam says, "I'm a bit confused.

Aren't compassion and loving-kindness the same thing?" Niti replies, "It may appear that way, but there are differences.

Loving-kindness is a pure love, selfless and not possessive.

For example, wanting your friend to be happy without wanting anything in return.

Compassion might arise if your friend is suffering and you want to help them and reduce their suffering." Sam continues, "Why is developing loving-kindness important, Niti?" Niti responds, "Developing loving-kindness, or metta, is important because it helps me replace negative emotions, like hatred and greed, with compassion and care for others.

These negative emotions are part of the three poisons, which the Buddha taught are the root of all suffering.

By practising metta, I can weaken the three poisons, reduce suffering for myself and others, and move closer to achieving enlightenment." Next, there is a question that I would like you to discuss with your partner or take some time to reflect on your own.

Why does Niti want to avoid feelings of hatred and greed? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

Let's complete a check for understanding.

Which of the following describes the Buddhist term metta? A, sympathy and concern for the suffering of others.

B, the sincere and selfless desire to benefit others with no expectation of reward.

Or C, a pure love which is selfless and not possessive.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you selected C.

A pure love which is selfless and not possessive is what is meant to describe the Buddhist term metta.

Katrina, a Mahayana Buddhist, explains the importance of developing loving-kindness.

Katrina says, "Developing loving-kindness is important to me because it helps me develop skillful actions at home and at work.

Developing loving-kindness stops me from getting annoyed easily or feeling hostile to towards someone, even when they are rude or unkind.

This is one way that I can bring more happiness into the world." Sam asks, "How do you develop loving-kindness, Katrina?" Katrina tells us, "I practise the meditation method of loving-kindness.

This is a common form of meditation in Buddhism.

I practise visualising myself looking happy, followed by reflecting upon my positive attributes and acts of kindness that I have carried out.

I then do the same by visualising a friend and even a person who I may find difficult." How does Katrina develop loving-kindness? Pause the video here and take time to reflect or discuss the question, and press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

True or false? Loving-kindness can be developed through meditation.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you said that statement is true.

Loving-kindness meditation is a common form of meditation in Buddhism.

It aims to develop loving-kindness towards oneself and others.

So now we're onto our second and final practise task.

Here we have the statement, "Compassion and loving-kindness are not the most important Buddhist virtues." In your answer, you should refer to Buddhist teachings and give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view.

Sam has written the first part of this answer.

Provide an alternative view.

Sam has said, "Some Buddhists might agree that compassion and loving-kindness are not the most important Buddhist virtues.

They may believe that wisdom is the most important virtue because it is required to realise the true nature of reality and to achieve enlightenment." Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Welcome back, everyone.

So the statement you were given is, "Compassion and loving-kindness are not the most important Buddhist virtues." Your answer may include these points.

Some Buddhists would disagree with this statement because may believe that compassion and loving-kindness are the most important Buddhist virtues.

The Buddha taught that these are important to develop as part of the Four Sublime States.

Most Mahayana Buddhists believe that compassion is a significant quality to develop to become a bodhisattva.

They may also argue that compassion needs to be developed alongside wisdom, not instead of it.

Loving-kindness is also an important virtue because it helps Buddhists reduce suffering and achieve enlightenment, which is the goal of most Buddhists.

Well done on completing the second practise task.

So that brings us to the end of today's lesson on compassion and loving-kindness and a summary of our key learning points.

The Four Sublime States are virtues that develop skillful actions.

Compassion and loving-kindness are two of the Four Sublime States.

Compassion is a significant quality to develop to become a bodhisattva.

The Karuna Trust is a Buddhist charity that puts the virtues of compassion and loving-kindness into action.

Developing loving-kindness is important because it helps avoid negative emotions and reduces suffering.

And lastly, loving-kindness is a common form of meditation in Buddhism.

Thank you very much for joining me for today's RE lesson, goodbye.