The Compassion of the Buddha for All Beings
Chapter 4 - The Compassion of the Buddha for All Beings In a remote village nestled between lush forests and vast plains, both villagers and animals coexisted. However, not all relations were harmonious. The villagers relied heavily on hunting, often taking more than they needed. The animals, once free and thriving, began to retreat deeper into the woods, sensing fear rather than peace. One day, Buddha arrived in this village. Hearing of his wisdom, the villagers gathered under a large banyan tree to listen. They expected teachings on prosperity or spiritual discipline, but instead, Buddha spoke of compassion. “True prosperity,” he began, “comes not from what we take, but from what we nurture. All beings—humans, animals, and nature—are interconnected. When one suffers, all suffer.” His words unsettled many. To them, animals were merely resources. But Buddha, seeing their confusion, proposed an experience to teach compassion. He asked the villagers to follow him into the forest. A...