differentiating the 4bv Brahma vihāra

Re: Question re Brahma Vihara?

Post by frank k » Wed Mar 01, 2023 4:40 am

SarathW wrote: ↑Thu Feb 23, 2023 8:38 pm1. Are Metta, Karuna,Muditha and Upekkha progressively higher mental state?
2. Are these different mental states altogether different to each other?
3. Can Metta Karuna Muditha and Upekkha existe in the same mind same time?

1. they're progressively more advanced in wisdom. note upekkha is the seventh awakening factor. For non-buddhism, upekkha can only lead to rebirth in brahma realm at best, but for buddhims, upekkha (upa + ikkhati = looking upon), upekkha means one is using the samādhi power of 3rd or 4th jhāna to "look at" and attain awakening with right pañña and right "view" (see the connection between 'looking' and 'view').
upekkha means equanimous observation with right view and right discernment. upekkha doesn't just mean "equanimity" as everyone wrongly translates it. Otherwise the 7 awakening factors wouldn't lead it awakening, they would just lead to stoicism and detachment, but not full liberation.

2. + 3. Depends on how you interpret things. If you wish for someone to be free of suffering, which is ostensibly 'compassion'/karuna, isn't that the same as wishing for someone's happiness since that entails freedom from suffering?

Comments

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notes on the Dhamma

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