What's covered
Key facts
Compassion (Karuna) and Loving Kindness (Metta)
Avalokiteshvara is the bodhisattva of compassion in Mahayana Buddhism.
Right Action and Right Speech
The Eightfold Path is the step-by-step framework for Buddhist ethical action.
The Five Moral Precepts
The first precept reflects ahimsa — the principle of non-violence shared with Hindu and Jain teaching.
Compassion (Karuna) and Loving Kindness (Metta)
The four Brahma Viharas (metta, karuna, mudita, upekkha: loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, equanimity) are four Buddhist virtues, also called the four immeasurables.
Right Action and Right Speech
Gossip counts as wrong speech in the Buddhist tradition.
The Five Moral Precepts
The fifth precept is to avoid intoxicants (alcohol, drugs).
Compassion (Karuna) and Loving Kindness (Metta)
Compassion in Buddhism extends to all living beings, not only humans.
Right Action and Right Speech
Right action is ethical conduct of body — not killing, stealing or doing harm.
The Five Moral Precepts
The first precept is not to kill living beings.
Compassion (Karuna) and Loving Kindness (Metta)
Karuna means compassion.
Sample questions
A taste of the 28 questions in this topic, answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
Who should compassion extend to?
- ✓All living beings
- •Family and close friends
- •Only fellow Buddhists
- •Only humans who are suffering
What does 'right action' mean in the Eightfold Path?
- ✓Ethical conduct of body
- •Ethical conduct of speech
- •Right effort in practice
- •Right intention in mind
What does the first Buddhist precept teach?
- •Do not eat meat
- •Do not harm yourself
- •Do not hunt animals
- ✓Do not kill living beings
Why is karuna so important?
- •Avoids any responsibility
- •Brings instant rewards
- •Earns prizes in life
- ✓Sees suffering and seeks to help
What is right speech?
- •Chanting sacred mantras
- •Reciting the Buddha's teachings
- •Silence during meditation
- ✓Truthful and kind words
What does the second Buddhist precept teach?
- •Do not envy
- •Do not gamble
- •Do not lie
- ✓Do not steal
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