During his mission, the author was asked, “can a Buddhist have charity?” The answer is that a Buddhist can have love for his fellowmen without accepting Christ, but there is much more to charity than just love for one’s neighbors. Without faith and hope in Christ, the virtue can never be perfected or fully expressed.
“The phrase ‘love of Christ’ might have meaning in three dimensions: …First, love for Christ. This concept proclaims Jesus as the object of our love, and our lives should be an external expression of our gratitude for him…A second dimension of the meaning of charity is love from Christ. (Ether 12:33-34) The Savior’s act of redemption for our sins is of no effect without our willingness to comply with the conditions of his atonement…A third perception of charity is to possess a love that is like Christ. (2 Nephi 33:7-9; Jn 13:34). Charity is not just…a word to describe actions or attitudes. Rather, it is an internal condition that must be developed and experienced in order to be understood…People who have charity have a love for the Savior, have received of his love, and love others as he does.” (C. Max Caldwell, Ensign, Nov. 1992, pp. 29-30 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 524)
Heber J. Grant
“Many people imagine that charity is giving a dollar to somebody; but real, genuine charity is giving love and sympathy.” (Messages of the First Presidency, 5:180)
Marvin J. Ashton
“Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. It makes the thought of being a basher [speaking ill of someone] repulsive. Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us.” (Ensign, May 1992, p. 19 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 524)
Hugh Nibley
“Charity gives to those who don’t deserve and expects nothing in return: It is the love God has for us, and the love we have for little children, of whom we expect nothing but for whom we would give everything.” (Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 524)