Buddhist View of Love and Compassion

By Venerable Jampa Drolma and David Mayer.

The definition of love in Buddhism is something quite different from the ordinary term ‘love’ we regularly use in our daily life. It is not in relation to attachment or lust but love with a sense of good-will and from the depths of one’s heart that we direct a sincere wish for sentient beings (all living beings with a mind) to be happy and have the causes that gives rise to happiness. 

So from this definition, we can translate it as loving-kindness, or unconditional love.

 We all have this potential within ourselves and it arises from a gentle- warm heart. If we are willing to activate this and allow ourselves to open our heart and open our mind, this loving–kindness is the most powerful emotion. Why? Because with love our suffering is relieved, it brings protection…