Karuna

This article is about the concept of spiritual compassion. For the army colonel see Colonel Karuna.

Karuna (originally a Pali word; also regarded as a Sanskrit word) is the Jainist concept of love. It is also translated as "compassion," a key concept of Mahayana Buddhism (see Bodhisattva and Avalokitesvara). As mercy, it is the special kindness shown to those who suffer. It is considered the indispensable complement to enlightened wisdom or Prajña. Compassion is important in all schools of Buddhism.