The Buddha explained that people live in a sea of suffering because of ignorance and greed. They are ignorant of the law of karma and are greedy for the wrong kind of pleasures. They do things that are harmful to their bodies and peace of mind, so they cannot be satisfied or enjoy life. The things people want most cause them the most suffering.

 

Mahakashyapa asked the Buddha, "Why is it that the Thus Come One does not allow eating meat?'

The Buddha replied, "It is because meat-eating cuts off the seeds of great compassion."

 

Setting them free isn’t a stupid thing to do by any means, as some people might think. It is an aspect of cultivation. There isn’t just one way to cultivate. There are eighty-four thousand Dharma-doors in cultivation, and every single door leads to the realization of supreme enlightenment. Liberating living beings is one of them. We must be careful not to think of it as ‘stupid’. If we have that kind of attitude, we will obstruct our own cultivation.

 

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion;

If you want to be happy, practice compassion.