Compassion vs Desire: Buddha’s Spiritual Paradox
Buddha on Compassion, Desire, and the Illusion of Ego
Those who are full of desire, we call emperors.
And those who are full of compassion, we call beggars.
Those who only give are called beggars,
and those who only take are called emperors.
Buddha’s Paradox of Compassion and Desire
And we readily agree, because Buddha does ask us for two pieces of bread.
So we conclude: yes, He must be a beggar.
And yet, he makes every effort that we do not even realize that he is giving.
That is why he accepts two pieces of bread from us and becomes a beggar,
so that we may never feel that he is doing us a favor by giving.
Compassion does not even wish to leave the shadow of obligation behind.
How Buddha’s Silent Giving Destroys the Ego
~ From the Nirvan Upanishad by Osho (Hindi Discourse), Discourse 4 – Translated




