Mi'sen

But enlightened people don't act like assholes. :)

So I’ve been told

*screams in Mahayana*

What tradition do you reckon is most sold on the 'enlightened people don't act like assholes' story? For better or for worse, kagyu/nyingma folk seem pretty happy to allow for enlightened assholes (eg: mahasiddhas, wrathful activity, etc). My guess would be a therevada tradition

All the subcategories of Mahayana give me this vibe, TBH, and some Theravada. Stoicism, to an extent - but it's more of a guideline w/the understanding being that people are sort of trash as often as not, no matter their accomplishment.

Personally, and I guess this says more about me than about the traditions, I lean towards some version of the Stoic interpretation. Life is harsh. People are harsh. It's good to act with kindness, wisdom and equanimity. All the same, see the first 2 steps. You are no different.

The key reason the Stoics keep giving for why you should treat others well, is that they are just as divine as you, and you just as base as them. To me, that lack of pretentiousness about "enlightenment" is more of a key value than compassion. Reflects a lack of distortions.

Sure, it might generally make sense to treat people kindly and compassionately, and to act with equanimity and good intent and so on... But what if it doesn't, right now? What do you do then? Nothing is true (except this, and also that), everything is permitted (but not that).