Meaning
慈悲 is a Buddhist-influenced term that refers to deep compassion and mercy toward all living beings. It combines the concepts of loving-kindness (慈) and sympathy for suffering (悲), representing the fundamental virtue of caring for others' welfare and alleviating their pain. This term is widely used in both religious and secular contexts to describe genuine compassion.
Usage
While 慈悲 has Buddhist origins, modern Chinese speakers use it in everyday contexts to describe compassionate, merciful behavior or attitudes. It carries a more formal, literary tone than casual words like 可怜 (pity). Commonly appears in phrases like 慈悲为怀 (to harbor compassion in one's heart) and is often used to appeal to someone's mercy.
Examples
- 01佛教讲究慈悲为怀，不杀生。, .Buddhism emphasizes compassion and not taking life.
- 02求求你发发慈悲，放过他吧。, .Please have mercy and let him go.
Characters
Common collocations
- 慈悲为怀to be compassionate at heart
- 大慈大悲great compassion and mercy
- 发慈悲to show mercy, to be merciful
- 慈悲心compassionate heart
Antonyms
Origin
This compound combines 慈 (loving-kindness) and 悲 (compassionate sorrow), originating from Sanskrit Buddhist concepts of maitrī (loving-kindness) and karuṇā (compassion). The term entered Chinese through Buddhist scripture translations during the Han and Tang dynasties.