Love and Sympathy in Theravāda BuddhismLove and Sympathy in Theravada Buddhism discusses the context and contents of the Theravada teachings on love, sympathy, and the collective meditative set of four sublime attitudes (brahmavihara) universal love, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. The presentation is based upon the first four of the five collections of Buddha's discourses, a stylistically homogeneous compilation of the earliest strata of Theravada scripture compiled before 350 B.C. After discussing the Pali material relevant to these topics in the first five chapters of this work, the author includes a detailed examination and critique of their position in Chapter Six. His concern is with the motives to social action as well as the psychological and soteriological import of the Theravada teachings on love, sympathy, and the sublime attitudes. Only through seeing these facets can the unique vision of Theravada Buddhism be appreciated. |
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Ananda anger Anuruddha associated aversion become benefits Bhikkhu bliss Brahmins Buddha Buddhaghosa Buddhist Publication Society collections of discourses commentary explains concentration conditioned phenomena correct conduct cultivate love cyclic existence endowed with love enlightenment equanimity ethical even-mindedness feeling equanimity formless realm four noble truths four sublime attitudes fully liberated Gotama teaches Gradual Sayings happiness harmful influences hostility individual insight jhāna level of absorption level of love limb of enlightenment love and compassion loving activities loving mind loving physical activities loving verbal activity measureless meditation mental pleasure mind endowed monks motivated neutrality nirvana occur Pali Text Society Path of Purification person placement love practice practitioner preliminary level rāga realization of nirvāņa rebirth regard religious samādhi sankhāra Sariputta sentient simple compassion Smaller Snap Spiro Stream-Enterer sublime attitude equanimity sustains sympathetic joy sympathy Theravada Buddhism three sublime attitudes tion unwholesome upekkha Van Gorkom vicāra Vism Visuddhimagga vitakka welfare wholesome mind world of Brahma Worthy