But Buddha's concern was not merely this, but one of attending on the sufferers afflicted by the sorrow which is but a consequence, not the cause. Before the radical cure could be administered, the immediate and urgent need of the moment is to alleviate the sore pain. Thus compassion takes precedence over contemplation. Here the conflict of man against himself is resolved by the knowledge that his individuality is built by the concatenation of mental and bodily predicates and passes away when the elements break away and disintegrate. The other side of this knowledge is the will which is now chastened by acts of compassion and charity.
Misery inwardly ceases.
This is the well known Prajha and Mahakaruna. While Prajha is complete wisdom about the total emptiness of existence. Mahakaruna is the widest charity which comprehends all creatures under its umbrella. It has no idea of profit or respect as a return. It is exercised for its own dear sake.