The Failure of Human Compassion — and Its Remedy

I have been working on a book about Buddhism that begins with what I believe is the heart of the Buddha’s teaching: Dependent Origination (paṭicca samuppāda). Though frequently cited, this foundational principle is often misunderstood — even by longtime practitioners. It’s commonly treated as either a metaphysical account of rebirth or a psychological process of suffering. But at its core, Dependent Origination is a radical invitation to see the world differently.

Rather than beginning with the twelve-link formula, I start with the Buddha’s most concise and profound expression — often called this–that conditionality:

This being, that becomes.
From the arising of this, that arises.

This simple phrase reveals a world where nothing exists independently. Everything is woven into a dynamic web of conditions. This principle, I believe, offers not just insight into personal suffering, but a deep framework for understanding collective suffering as well. And there is no more urgent and heartbreaking example today than the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The Compassion Instinct: Rooted in Biology and Evolution

Human beings are biologically wired for compassion. Our species has survived through its capacity to nurture, protect, and care —…