Compassion and Vows
Why help others when nobody helped me during hardship?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
I would think differently: precisely because I know the pain of having no help, I hope others need not suffer similarly. Being unsupported was genuinely painful, but future concern for others still allows a different choice.
A friend who had experienced much hardship told me nobody helped at the worst time, so there was no wish to help others. I felt regret. Suffering does not automatically create willingness to help. Some retain complaint and anger, while others understand others’ pain more deeply.
My business and marriage also had low points. Looking back, they helped me understand feelings better. Together with support from faith, this strengthened my desire to use understanding to help. Hardship does not automatically make us compassionate; interpretation and response matter.
If everyone waits to receive help before offering any, nobody begins. Such thinking saddens me because we hope for greater harmony yet retreat into waiting when we can act. Willingness to reach out first allows care to spread. Past suffering is not erased, but need not determine a cold response forever.