The active response to suffering—feeling with others and acting to relieve their pain. From Christian agape to Buddhist karuna to Islamic rahma.
Shared by {count} traditions
Compassion may be the highest expression of what it means to be human. The word itself comes from Latin: "com" (with) and "pati" (to suffer)—to suffer with another. But compassion is more than shared pain; it's the active desire to relieve that pain. Every major spiritual tradition places compassion near the center of the good life. In Buddhism, karuna (compassion) is one of the Four Immeasurables. In Christianity, Jesus wept with those who wept and commanded love of neighbor. In Islam, every chapter of the Quran (except one) begins by invoking Allah as "the Compassionate, the Merciful." What's remarkable is not just the universality of this teaching, but its depth. Compassion isn't mere sentiment—a fleeting feeling of "how sad." True compassion recognizes that the suffering person's pain is as real as your own. It breaks down the artificial boundary between self and other. And it moves you to action. The traditions also teach that compassion must begin with yourself. You cannot truly feel with others if you cannot feel with yourself. Self-compassion isn't selfishness; it's prerequisite to genuine care for others. From the overflow of self-understanding, compassion naturally flows outward.
Χριστιανισμός
Jesus embodied compassion through healing, feeding, and welcoming the outcast. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches that compassion crosses all boundaries.
"Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. — Luke 6:36"
الإسلام
Allah is named ar-Rahman (the Compassionate) and ar-Rahim (the Merciful). Muslims are called to reflect these divine attributes. The Prophet said: "The merciful are shown mercy by the Most Merciful."
"Those who are merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. — Hadith (Tirmidhi)"
हिन्दू धर्म
Daya (compassion) is a cardinal virtue in Hindu ethics. The Bhagavad Gita teaches that the wise see the same divine essence in all beings, making compassion a natural response to recognizing our shared nature.
Secular ethics grounds compassion in our shared capacity for suffering. Neuroscience shows humans have mirror neurons—we literally share others' pain. Philosophers like Peter Singer argue for 'effective altruism,' using reason to maximize compassionate impact. Compassion needs no supernatural justification; empathy is built into our biology.
Carl Sagan wrote: 'For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love.' Agnostic thinkers find compassion necessary precisely because this may be our only existence. Without afterlife guarantees, reducing suffering here and now becomes urgent. Compassion is rational whether or not gods exist.
बुद्ध धर्म
Karuna (compassion) is one of the Four Immeasurables, qualities the Buddha encouraged disciples to cultivate without limit. The bodhisattva ideal is to postpone one's own enlightenment to help all beings be free from suffering.
"Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. — The Buddha"
中國傳統宗教
In Chinese Traditional Religions, compassion is recognized as essential to spiritual life—the heart's natural response when the illusion of separation falls away.
Ìsìn Àtọwọ́dọ́wọ́
In African Traditional Religions, compassion is recognized as essential to spiritual life—the heart's natural response when the illusion of separation falls away.
Ìsìn Ìbílẹ̀ Afrika
Ubuntu—"I am because we are"—makes compassion inseparable from identity. When one suffers, the community suffers. Caring for others isn't charity; it's maintaining the web that holds us all.
ਸਿੱਖੀ
Daya (compassion) is one of the five virtues. The langar (free community kitchen) at every Gurdwara embodies compassion in action—feeding anyone regardless of caste, religion, or status.
Espiritismo
Kardec taught that charity is 'benevolence toward everyone, indulgence for the imperfections of others.' Spirits communicate that love is the supreme law. Since we all reincarnate through many conditions, compassion for others is compassion for ourselves across lifetimes.
יַהֲדוּת
"Rachamim" (compassion, from the word for womb) is a central divine attribute. God is described as "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love." Jews are called to imitate God's compassion.
"Just as God is compassionate and gracious, you too must be compassionate and gracious. — Talmud"
بهائی
Bahá'u'lláh taught that "the best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not." Compassion and justice work together in Bahá'í teaching.
Maçonaria
'Relief' is one of Freemasonry's three principal tenets. Masonic lodges maintain charity funds for distressed brothers and their families. The concept extends beyond members—many lodges support hospitals, scholarships, and disaster relief. A Mason is taught that relieving the distressed is a duty.
زرتشتی
Compassion is implicit in the Zoroastrian mission of aiding Ahura Mazda in making the world perfect. Good thoughts and good deeds include relieving the suffering of others.
Dingir
The goddess Inanna descended to the underworld and experienced suffering, teaching the depth of compassion for the afflicted. Sumerian laments express deep feeling for those in pain—humans and gods alike sharing in sorrow.
nṯr.w
In Ancient Egyptian Religion, compassion is recognized as essential to spiritual life—the heart's natural response when the illusion of separation falls away.
ntr.w
Ma'at required caring for the vulnerable. Tomb inscriptions boast: 'I gave bread to the hungry, water to the thirsty, clothing to the naked.' The heart was weighed against the feather of Ma'at—compassionate deeds determined one's afterlife.
diĝir
In Sumerian Religion, compassion is recognized as essential to spiritual life—the heart's natural response when the illusion of separation falls away.
Practice tonglen (Tibetan "giving and taking"): Breathe in the suffering of another—visualize it as dark smoke. Breathe out your love and wellbeing—visualize it as light. This practice transforms our instinct to avoid pain into the courage to face it. When you encounter someone suffering, resist the urge to fix, advise, or minimize. Simply be present. Say: "I'm sorry you're going through this." Often, presence matters more than solutions. Extend compassion to difficult people. When someone frustrates you, consider: "This person, like me, wants to be happy. This person, like me, suffers." Even harmful behavior usually comes from pain. This doesn't excuse harm, but it helps you respond wisely. Practice self-compassion daily. When you make mistakes, speak to yourself as you would to a dear friend. Replace self-criticism with self-understanding. Ask: "What would I say to someone I love who was in this situation?" Do one concrete act of compassion daily. It needn't be grand—a kind word, a patient moment, a small gift of attention. Compassion is a muscle; it strengthens with use.