Significance of Recompense

Recompense, as understood across different beliefs, varies in meaning. In Vaishnavism, it pertains to repaying the Lord through gratitude for blessings received, despite feelings of inadequacy. In Mahayana, recompense signifies the consequences of one’s actions, emphasizing accumulated karma from good and bad deeds. Meanwhile, Theravada views recompense as the reward bestowed upon an individual, illustrated by the old woman's kindness toward a foal. Each perspective reflects the significance of actions and gratitude in spiritual contexts.1
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Synonyms: Compensation, Reimbursement, Reward, Remuneration

In Spanish: Recompensa; In Finnish: Korvaus

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Recompense'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, Recompense signifies the consequences of actions, emphasizing karma from deeds. It also illustrates the reward the old woman received for her kindness towards the foal, reflecting the positive outcomes of compassionate behavior.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6

(1) The reward received by the old woman for her kindness and provision to the foal.[1]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra

(1) The outcomes of one's actions, referring particularly to the karma accrued from both good and bad deeds.[2]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Hindu concept of 'Recompense'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, Recompense involves expressing gratitude to the Lord for blessings and life changes, despite feelings of inadequacy and lack of merit in fully reciprocating those divine gifts.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation

(1) The act of giving back or showing gratitude, which the speaker feels incapable of due to their perceived lack of merit.[3] (2) The act of trying to repay or show gratitude toward the Lord for the blessings and transformation received.[4]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Griffith)

(1) Recompense refers to the payment of rewards and recognition for the warriors' efforts.[5]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.