KARUṆĀ, normally translated as "compassion," is a term central to the entire Buddhist tradition. When linked with prajñā ("wisdom") it constitutes one of the two pillars of Buddhism. Karuṇā is frequently described as the love for all beings, as exemplified by a mother's love for a child. However, karuṇā is quite unlike conventional "love" (Skt., priya, kāma, tṛṣṇā), which is rooted in dichotomous thinking (vijñāna, vikalpa) and centered on self-concern. Love in this latter sense is egoistic, possessive, clouded by ignorance (avidyā), and easily subject to its opposite passion, hate.

In contrast, karuṇā is manifested in the non-dichotomous mode of prajñā that has broken through the self-other discrimination. Thus freed of self-centeredness, karuṇā is concerned only with the welfare of the other. The root meaning of karuṇā is said to be the anguished cry of deep sorrow that elicits compassion...