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Listen "Compassion 'Karuna': What's the Difference to Loving Kindness 'Metta'? | Ajahn Dhammasiha | Dhammagiri"
Episode Synopsis
Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to the question how Karuṇā (Compassion) differs from Mettā (Loving Kindness).
Compassion is the wish for all beings to be free from pain and suffering in any form.
Loving Kindness is the wish for all beings to be happy and well.
Though both belong to the 4 'Divine Abidings' (4 Brahmaviharas), and are closely related, in actual experience they feel quite distinct when developing them:
Developing compassion retains a stronger awareness of suffering. It can be easier to 'switch' from developing compassion (which is a form of samatha/calmness meditation) to developing insight/vipassana, for example by contemplating the 4 noble truths
It may be subjectively easier to generate compassion than mettā in cases when we encounter abject suffering, like someone dying in pain without proper care or similar.
It's easier with mettā to get a bit too 'dewy-eyed', thinking everything is fine and everyone will be a darling if only we radiate loving kindness. We then may be shocked when 'bad' things still happen. With compassion one is less prone to fall into the delusion of 'it's all good', 'we're all fine', 'nothing to worry'.
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Compassion is the wish for all beings to be free from pain and suffering in any form.
Loving Kindness is the wish for all beings to be happy and well.
Though both belong to the 4 'Divine Abidings' (4 Brahmaviharas), and are closely related, in actual experience they feel quite distinct when developing them:
Developing compassion retains a stronger awareness of suffering. It can be easier to 'switch' from developing compassion (which is a form of samatha/calmness meditation) to developing insight/vipassana, for example by contemplating the 4 noble truths
It may be subjectively easier to generate compassion than mettā in cases when we encounter abject suffering, like someone dying in pain without proper care or similar.
It's easier with mettā to get a bit too 'dewy-eyed', thinking everything is fine and everyone will be a darling if only we radiate loving kindness. We then may be shocked when 'bad' things still happen. With compassion one is less prone to fall into the delusion of 'it's all good', 'we're all fine', 'nothing to worry'.
Our Spotify playlists can be found on our Spotify Profile here:
https://open.spotify.com/user/8z4dmrysnbbnjtz9f0wzjgcre
Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen in any browser:
https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast
More about Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:
https://www.dhammagiri.net/news
Our Youtube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724
Our email Newsletter:
https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter
.
More episodes of the podcast Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts
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16/10/2025
Anatta: Empty of Self or Belonging to Self, even Thoughts | Emptiness Sunyata | Ajahn Dhammasiha
02/10/2025
Devoted to Persuit of Pleasure | Loving Kindness as Source of Happiness | Metta | Ajahn Dhammasiha
19/09/2025
In God we trust