Meet Hatred with Love

Hatred is, indeed, never appeased by hatred in this world. It is appeased only by compassion. This is the eternal truth (Dhamma).
From the Dhammapada, Verse 5

Let’s meet hatred with love and compassion.

Some days meeting hatred with love means saying, “I disagree with your opinion, but I support your right to your opinion”.
Other days meeting hatred with love means keeping silent because your compassion cannot find a path from your heart to your mouth.

Some days meeting hatred with love means listening to someone tell you why they hate foreigners or members of a particular race or religious group.
Other days meeting hatred with love means telling someone why you refuse to hate foreigners or members of a particular race or religious group.

Some days meeting hatred with love means voting with your wallet and refusing to support organizations who participate in discrimination.
Other days meeting hatred with love means meditating on your own biases, because everyone has some degree of bias.

Some days meeting hatred with love means standing up to a friend or family member, even when it is difficult to do so.
Other days meeting hatred with love means reaching out to those who are victims of hateful speech or hate crimes.

On no day does meeting hatred with love mean responding with violence or cruelty.

But every day is an opportunity to meet hatred with love.

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