In Misfortune, In Misery, In This Long Course

Monks, this Cycle of Rebirth is without discoverable beginning. A first point is not identifiable of beings roaming and wandering on, hindered by ignorance (unknowing of true reality) and fettered by craving. Whenever you see anyone in misfortune, in misery, you can conclude: We too have experienced the same thing in this long course.

For what reason?

Because, Monks, this Cycle of Rebirth is without discoverable beginning. A first point is not identifiable of beings roaming and wandering on, hindered by ignorance (unknowing of true reality) and fettered by craving. For such a long time, Monks, you have experienced discontentedness, misery, and disaster, and swelled the cemetery.

It is enough to experience fading away of strong feelings towards all conditions, enough to become free from strong feelings towards them, enough to be liberated from them.

(Reference: SN 15.11)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how any being that you observe who is experiencing misfortune, that you too have experienced the same misfortunes throughout continued existence.

While in this existence you may not have experienced a certain misfortune that you observe someone else experiencing, The Buddha explains that at some point in a previous life you have experienced that same situation.

This understanding can help to develop loving-kindness and compassion for “all beings”. If you observe someone else’s misfortune, rather than looking down on them with conceit, keep in mind that you have also experienced that exact same misfortune in this existence or some other existence.

Cultivate loving-kindness and compassion for this being and, if possible, see if you can help them to move out of their unfortunate circumstances.