Kindness
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Kindness (anukampà or dayàpanna) is a general term for an attitude towards others characterized by care, friendliness, gentleness and love.
The Buddha very often admonished us to not just feel kindness or think in a kindly manner but to ‘show kindness’ (dayàpanna), meaning that we should express it through our actions (M.I,288; A.IV,249). Genuine kindness is devoid of selfishness or the desire to dominate or hurt another. It can express itself as generosity, helpfulness, patience when others are slow or inept, speaking in a pleasant manner, making strangers feel at home and going an extra distance for someone. In short, kindness is love expressing itself through speech and action.
References
- http://www.BuddhismA2Z.com/ Buddhism A to Z. Ven. Dhammika, 2007.