ब्रह्मविहार
Brahmavihārā
Divine Abidings / Four Immeasurables
四梵住
Grammar 語法
masculine noun compound: brahma (divine/supreme) + vihāra (abiding/dwelling)
Definition 釋義
The four 'divine abidings' or 'immeasurables' (appamāṇa) — qualities of heart whose cultivation transforms the mind: mettā (loving-kindness), karuṇā (compassion), muditā (sympathetic joy), and upekkhā (equanimity). When suffused throughout all four directions without limit they become 'immeasurable' and constitute the highest forms of the formless heart. They are both meditation objects (leading to jhāna when used as primary meditation subjects) and ethical qualities to be expressed in all relationships. The Buddha called them the path to union with Brahmā.
Canonical Example 典籍例句
Catasso imā, bhikkhave, brahmavihārā.
There are these four divine abidings, monks.
Source: AN 4.125
Brahmaviharas in the Pali Nikaya Part 1
Developing All 4 Divine Abodes: Metta, Karuna, Mudita, Upekkha | Ajahn Dhammasiha | Dhammagiri
At a Glance
- Pali
- Brahmavihārā
- IAST
- Brahmavihāra
- Devanagari
- ब्रह्मविहार
- Chinese
- 四梵住
- Difficulty
- beginner
Related Words
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