Compassion Exemplified

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From May 2006 issue of Shambhala Sun, in an article entitled, "She Who Hears the Cries of the World," by Christina Feldman:

A few years ago, an elderly monk arrived in India after fleeing from prison in Tibet. Meeting with the Dalai Lama, he recounted the years he had been imprisoned, the hardship and beatings he had endured, the hunger and loneliness he had lived with, and the torture he had faced.

At one point, the Dalai Lama asked him, "Was there ever a time you felt your life was truly in danger?" The old monk answered, "In truth, the only time I truly felt at risk was when I felt in danger of losing compassion for my jailers."

If anyone were to doubt that Buddhas and Bodhisattvas live among us today, this story should eliminate that doubt. I bow to this monk for the beautiful teaching his life exemplifies.

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