Bankei Yotaku, a Japanese Zen master from the 17th century, is known for his teachings on the concept of "unborn" and the importance of compassion in one's spiritual journey. Compassion, or "karuna" in Japanese, plays a crucial role in Bankei's teachings as it is seen as the key to attaining enlightenment and living a fulfilled life.

One of the core teachings of Bankei is the concept of "unborn." He believed that all beings are inherently enlightened and that the idea of "becoming" or "attaining" enlightenment is a misconception. According to Bankei, the true nature of all beings is already perfect, and the only thing that prevents us from realizing this is our attachment to our thoughts and desires. This is where compassion comes in.

Bankei saw compassion as the antidote to attachment and the path to true understanding. He believed that by cultivating compassion towards all beings, we can let go of our selfish desires and see the world as it truly is. Compassion, in Bankei's teachings, is not just limited to feeling pity or sympathy towards others, but it is a deep understanding and empathy towards all beings. It is the ability to see beyond our own ego and connect with others on a deeper level.

In Bankei's own words, "Compassion is the mind that is free from attachment." He taught his students to cultivate compassion by constantly reminding themselves of the "unborn" nature of all beings. By understanding that all beings are already perfect, we can let go of our judgments and expectations and approach others with compassion and understanding.

Moreover, Bankei emphasized the importance of self-compassion. He believed that true compassion towards others can only arise when we have compassion for ourselves. This means accepting ourselves as we are, with all our flaws and imperfections, and letting go of self-criticism and self-judgment. Only then can we truly extend compassion towards others without any bias or prejudice.

In essence, compassion is at the heart of Bankei's teachings. It is the key to unlocking our true nature and living a fulfilled life. By cultivating compassion towards ourselves and others, we can let go of our attachments and see the world with a clear and open mind. As Bankei said, "When you have compassion, you can see things as they are, and when you see things as they are, you will know that you are already enlightened."