Christians are familiar with 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, which describes love's qualities:4) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5) It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
What about the Buddha? Did he teach of these highest types of love?
The Buddha said, "He who abuses the abuser is the worse of the two. To refrain from retailiation is to win a battle hard to win.
"If a person knows that another is angry, yet refrains from anger himself, he does what is best for himself and the other person. He is the healer of both.
"One should do no unkind thing that wise men might condemn. One should not harm another or despise anyone for any reason. Do not wish pain on another out of either anger or jealousy.
"Just as a mother would protect her only child even at the risk of her own life, even so, one should develop unbounded love towards all beings."
The Buddha taught, practiced, and encouraged others on these qualities every day of his awakened life.
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