（1） Great compassion; great pity （maha^-karun!a^）. ［法华经 T 262.9.23b26］（2） The great compassion differs from ordinary compassion in eight ways， which are explained in the Maha^vibha^s!a^-/sa^stra. （1） With respect to its nature （自性异） ， ordinary compassion is absence of hatred， whereas the great compassion is absence of ignorance. （2） With respect to its aspect （行相异）， ordinary compassion takes on the form of one suffering， the ordinary suffering， whereas the great compassion takes on the form of threefold suffering. （3） With respect to its object （所缘异）， ordinary compassion is concerned with the beings of one ka^ma-dha^tu 欲界 only， whereas the great compassion is concerned with the three dha^tus 三界. （4） With respect to its sphere （bhu^mi） （依地异） ， ordinary compassion is of the sphere of the ten dhya^nas: the four dhya^nas， the four stages cross to the four dhya^nas， middle and the ka^ma-bhu^mi， whereas the great compassion is of the sphere of the fourth dhya^na only. （5） With respect to its support （依身异） ， ordinary compassion arises in /sra^vakas， pratyekabuddhas， buddhas as well as sentient beings （pr!thagjanas）， whereas the great compassion arises only in the Buddha. （6） With respect to its acquisition （证得异）， ordinary compassion is obtained through detachment from ka^ma-dha^tu and the third dhya^na， whereas the great compassion is obtained through detachment from bhavagra only. （7） With respect to its saving （others） （救济异）， ordinary compassion only gives rise to the sympathy for the act of saving （others）， whereas the great compassion gives rise to the sympathy and accomplishes the act of saving. （8） With respect to compassion （哀愍异）， ordinary compassion is an unequal compassion， for it sympathizes only with beings who are suffering， whereas the great compassion is an equal compassion， turned towards beings equally. ［大毗婆沙论卷三十一、卷八十三、俱舍论卷二十七］