By Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi
In this article the author intends to show ways in which the Islamic conception of Rahma can be seen to serve a function similar to compassion in Mahayana Buddhism, which comes to play a determinative role, elevated as the very principle, cosmological and not simply ethical, which motivates the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
The author analyses how Islam and Buddhism are not so far apart from each other as regards the role of this quality of compassionate love. Despite their very different conceptual starting-points, both traditions stress this human quality as a key ethical trait; and for both traditions, this human quality is inseparable from the Absolute—from Allah in Islam, and the Dharma, or the Void (Shunya) or Nirvana in Buddhism.
More: The Institute of Ismaili Studies – Loving Compassion in Islam and Buddhism: Rahma and Karuna
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