bits of Shantideva's 'Way of the Bodhisattva' then i'm supposed to render in my own words. idk who translated.
verses 90-109 rendered as premises, under the cut.
Spoiler
1. i have different body parts but they're all the same- as part of my body. they're equal because they all need to be protected. similarly everyone's joys and sorrows are equal because everyone is the same- in wanting happiness and avoiding suffering.
2. my pain doesn't hurt others but it hurts me because i take it as my own.
3. i don't feel others' pain but i take their pain for my own so i'm hurt too when i feel compassion.
4. pain is just pain no matter whose. living bodies are just living bodies no matter who. so i should dispel all pain and help all bodies.
5. if i don't avoid others' pain because it doesn't hurt me, then by the same logic i shouldn't guard myself against future pain because it doesn't hurt me (in the present). but i do guard myself against future pain, so i shouldn't avoid others' pain.
6. if others should protect themselves from their own pain and i don't think i should interfere, then by the same logic, my separate body parts also should protect themselves from their own pain without interference from other parts of my body. but i need to protect various parts of my body. so i need to protect others from pain.
7. if i think compassion makes me feel pain you needn't feel otherwise, i should think of the pain of the one whom i am compassionate to, and how lesser my pain is to that pain.
8. if the pain of my compassion will cure many other sorrows, then because i harbour love, i must strive for this compassion.
9. Everyone must be freed, and be happy, not just me.
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