Day of Kindness
From http://www.mindful.org/
Loving-Kindness
... What do you think of when you hear that word? I think that it has to be one of the most beautiful words in the English language. It sounds beautiful; more importantly it carries some beautiful messages.
I've been trying to better understand these messages, and I'd like to share some of what I have learned.
Definition
Wikipedia defines loving-kindness as follows: "Loving-kindness is a specific kind of love conceptualized in various religious traditions, both among theologians and religious practitioners, as a form of love characterized by acts of kindness."
Religious Context
I discovered that loving-kindness is a biblical word:
This [loving-kindness] is a biblical word, invented by Miles Coverdale, and carried over into the English versions generally. It is one of the words he used in the Psalms (23 times, plus Hosea 2:19) to translate the Hebrew chesed when it refers to God's love for his people Israel. ...The nearest New Testament equivalent to the Hebrew chesed is charis (grace), as Luther realized when he used the German Gnade for both words.― Bible ResearchIn fact, Wikipedia notes four religious traditions that include the concept of loving-kindness: Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Bahá'í Faith.
USE IN JUDAISM
As noted in the quote above from Bible Research, loving-kindness is used as an English translation for the Hebrew word chesed.
I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. ― Isaiah 63:7USE IN CHRISTIANITY
The word "loving-kindness" does not occur in the New Testament, but as its equivalents we have such terms as "mercy" "goodness," "kindness," "brotherly love."
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; ― Colossians 3:12USE IN BAHÁ'Í FAITH
English translations of the writings of the Bahá'í Faith often use the term loving-kindness when referring to the original Persian mohabbat.
“All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization. The Almighty beareth Me witness: To act like the beasts of the field is unworthy of man. Those virtues that befit his dignity are forbearance, mercy, compassion and loving-kindness towards all the peoples and kindreds of the earth.” ― Bahá'u'lláhUSE IN BUDDHISM
Loving-kindness is an English equivalent for the Buddhist term "Mettā."
... I hope you might read the full post here: http://www.ahhthesimplelife.com/lovi...just-everyone/
... Thanks, Carol at Ahh The Simple Life