BEGINNER’S MIND

BUDDHISM BY THE NUMBERS

THE BRAHMAVIHARAS are four prized emotions or mindstates that give us a framework to cultivate positive behaviors and minimize harmful ones. They are called the “divine abodes” because they are the mindstates in which all the enlightened ones reside. They are also known as the “four immeasurables” or “four limitless ones” because they represent love and goodwill toward all sentient beings, without limit. The four brahmaviharas are:

1. Loving-kindness (Pali: metta)
2. Compassion (karuna)
3. Sympathetic joy (mudita)
4. Equanimity (upekkha).

The late Buddhist teacher Ayya Khema described the brahmaviharas as “the only emotions.) By cultivating the four immeasurables, you not only develop limitless love but undo what the Buddha called their “near enemies”: indifference, pity, envy, and jealousy.