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Significance of Brahmavihara

Brahmavihara in Buddhism refers to the cultivation of four immeasurable qualities: loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. These qualities are essential for fostering positive mental states and are often developed through meditation. Recognized across various traditions, including Mahayana and Theravada, Brahmavihara practices aim to promote happiness and well-being for all living beings. They serve as sublime states of mind crucial in Buddhist practice, encouraging a refined way of living that embodies love and compassion.

Synonyms: Sublime attitudes, Noble qualities, Four immeasurables

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

Buddhist concept of 'Brahmavihara'

Buddhism Books

Brahmavihara in Buddhism encompasses four sublime states: loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. These virtues are cultivated through meditation to foster positive mental states and enhance both personal and collective happiness.

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

From: Maha Buddhavamsa鈥擳he Great Chronicle of Buddhas

(1) The sublime state of mind that includes four virtues: metta (loving-kindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (altruistic joy), and upekkha (equanimity).[1] (2) Brahmavihara refers to the four sublime modes of living, including loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity, important in Buddhist practice.[2] (3) The divine abidings of loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity, essential in Buddhist practice.[3] (4) The four sublime states of mind cultivated by Sarada, which reflect ultimate love and compassion.[4] (5) Sublime states of mind characterized by loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity that lead to a refined way of living.[5]

From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)

(1) The meditative states that promote loving-kindness, compassion, and equanimity, discussed in the context of jhana.[6] (2) Four noble virtues that counter aggressive behavior, including loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity.[7]

From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)

(1) Another term for the Four Divine States of Mind, emphasizing the cultivation of love, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity within one鈥檚 life.[8] (2) The first three of four moral virtues that include loving-kindness (metta), compassion (karuna), sympathetic joy (mudita), and equanimity (upekkha), which have seemingly ceased to flourish in the human mind.[9]

From: Cetasikas

(1) Another name for the divine abidings that foster unconditional love, kindness, joy, and equanimity.[10] (2) Brahma viharas are divine abidings including metta, karuna, mudita (sympathetic joy), and upekkha (equanimity), which require chanda for their development.[11]

From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life

(1) The four divine abidings鈥攍ovingkindness, compassion, altruistic joy, and equanimity鈥攖hat focus on mental states benefiting oneself and others.[12]

From: A Manual of Abhidhamma

(1) A term referring to the four Illimitables: loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity, embodying sublime states of conduct.[13]

From: Introducing Buddhist Abhidhamma

(1) Four immeasurable states of mind in Buddhist practice: loving-kindness (metta), compassion (karuna), sympathy (mudita), and equanimity (uppekkha).[14]

From: Patipada (path of practice)

(1) The four divine abodes or virtues (loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, equanimity) essential for Buddhist practice.[15]

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: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) The brahmaviharas consist of the four limitless minds: loving-kindness (maitri), compassion (karuna), joy (mudita), and equanimity (upeksha).[16] (2) Meditative qualities that are included in some lists of spiritual practices, emphasizing loving-kindness and compassion.[17] (3) Meditative practices that assure rebirth among higher gods.[18] (4) Practices aimed at cultivating positive mental states, including love, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity.[19]

From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra

(1) The four sublime states of mind in Buddhism: loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity.[20]

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.

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: The Great Chariot

(1) The four immeasurable qualities that are cultivated in meditation, which include kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity.[21] (2) The four mental phenomena that include kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, which are cultivated through meditation to generate positive mental states.[22]

From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)

(1) The four noble lives, including loving-kindness, which the king developed to promote the happiness of all living beings.[23]

Plural form: Brahmaviharas.