The Lesson of Simon of Cyrene

(Originally posted 8 March 2005)

The Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke speak of what is referred to as the fifth station of the cross. It is a brief story, albeit very important one, of Simon of Cyrene.

By chance (providence, karma or something else depending on your lexicon) Simon was unwillingly forced to carry the cross for Jesus. And while there is little known about Simon, it is generally believed that Simon was transformed by this event. He was transformed from being a mere spectator, to an unwilling participant, to finally having compassion for Jesus.

Compassion is the awareness of the suffering of another combined with the desire to relieve it. If we are forced to help another, we are not demonstrating compassion. If we see another suffering and are even pained by it, but do not have the desire to relieve the suffering, still we are not demonstrating compassion. It is only through the coupling of both these things that we demonstrate one of the greatest of virtues.

Simon learned compassion by directly experiencing the sufferings of Jesus. What wonderful kindness Jesus showed us by taking on the sufferings of all beings. Mahayana Buddhism teaches us of Bodhisattvas, those beings motivated by compassion for all beings. One of the most popular Tibetan mantras is Om Mani Padme Hum, the mantra of compassion. The vast majority of religions exalt compassion. Even as an atheist, one can still benefit from compassion. Let us spend less time focused on differences, and more on helping each other.