Dhamma Topics and their Analysis

Meditation Topics

10. Cattāro Brāhmavihārā
10. The Four Spiritual States These are also known as the four immeasureables (appamañña).

from Vatthasuttaṁ, MN 7

1. So mettāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā viharati,
1. He dwells suffusing one direction with a mind full of friendliness,

tathā dutiyaṁ, tathā tatiyaṁ, tathā catutthaṁ.
likewise the second (direction), third (direction) and fourth (direction).

Iti uddham-adho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya,
So up and down and across (the middle), everywhere, in every place,

sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ, mettāsahagatena cetasā,
* he dwells suffusing the entire world with a mind full of friendliness,

vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena,
that is extensive, grown great, immeasurable,

averena abyāpajjena pharitvā viharati,
without hatred, without ill-will,

2. puna caparaṁ karuṇāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā viharati,
2. furthermore, he dwells suffusing one direction with a mind full of kindness,

tathā dutiyaṁ, tathā tatiyaṁ, tathā catutthaṁ.
likewise the second (direction), third (direction) and fourth (direction).

Iti uddham-adho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya,
So up and down and across (the middle), everywhere, in every place,

sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ, karuṇāsahagatena cetasā,
* he dwells suffusing the entire world with a mind full of kindness,

vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena,
that is extensive, grown great, immeasurable,

averena abyāpajjena pharitvā viharati,
without hatred, without ill-will,

3. puna caparaṁ muditāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā viharati,
3. furthermore, he dwells suffusing one direction with a mind full of gladness,

tathā dutiyaṁ, tathā tatiyaṁ, tathā catutthaṁ.
likewise the second (direction), third (direction) and fourth (direction).

Iti uddham-adho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya,
So up and down and across (the middle), everywhere, in every place,

sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ, karuṇāsahagatena cetasā,
* he dwells suffusing the entire world with a mind full of gladness,

vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena,
that is extensive, grown great, immeasurable,

averena abyāpajjena pharitvā viharati,
without hatred, without ill-will,

4. puna caparaṁ upekkhāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā viharati,
4. furthermore, he dwells suffusing one direction with a mind full of equanimity,

tathā dutiyaṁ, tathā tatiyaṁ, tathā catutthaṁ.
likewise the second (direction), third (direction) and fourth (direction).

Iti uddham-adho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya,
So up and down and across (the middle), everywhere, in every place,

sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ, upekkhāsahagatena cetasā,
* he dwells suffusing the entire world with a mind full of equanimity,

vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena,
that is extensive, grown great, immeasurable,

averena abyāpajjena pharitvā viharati.
without hatred, without ill-will.

last updated: December 2016