The Practice of Brahma Vihara part 1

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• published: 22 Jun 2011
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The Four Sublime States by Nyanaponika, Thera Contemplation on Love, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity Introduction Four sublime states of mind have been taught by the Buddha: Love or Loving-kindness (metta) Compassion (karuna) Sympathetic Joy (mudita) Equanimity (upekkha) In Pali, the language of the Buddhist scriptures, these four are known under the name of Brahma-vihara, a term which may be ren-dered as excellent, lofty, or sublime states of mind; or alternatively, as Brahma-like, god-like or divine abodes. These four attitudes are said to be excellent or sublime because they are the right or ideal way of conduct towards living beings (sattesu samma patipatti). They provide, in fact, the answer to all situations aris-ing from social contact. They are the great removers of tension, the great peace-makers in social conflict, and the great healers of wounds suffered in the struggle of existence. They level social barriers, build harmonious communities, awaken slumbering magnanimity long forgotten, revive joy and hope long abandoned, and promote human brotherhood against the forces of egotism. The Brahma-viharas are incompatible with a hating state of mind, and in that they are akin to Brahma - the divine but transient ruler of the higher heavens in the traditional Buddhist picture of the universe. In contrast to many other, conceptions of deities, East and West, who by their own devotees are said to show anger, wrath, jealousy and "righteous indignation," Brahma is free from hate; and one who assiduously develops these four sublime states, by conduct and meditation, is said to become an equal of Brahma (brahma-samo). If they become the domi-nant influence in his mind, he will be reborn in congenial worlds, the realms of Brahma. Therefore, these states of mind are called god-like, Brahma-like. They are called abodes (vihara) because they should become the mind's constant dwelling-places where we feel "at home"; they should not remain merely places of rare and short visits, soon forgotten. In other words, our minds should become thoroughly saturated by them. They should become our inseparable companions, and we should be mindful of them in all our common activities. As the Metta Sutta, the Song of Loving-kindness, says: When standing, walking, sitting, lying down, Whenever he feels free of tiredness, Let him establish well this mindfulness - This, it is said, is the Divine Abode.