Brahmavihara: A path towards Buddhahood (Libe...

Brahmavihara: A path towards Buddhahood (Liberation)

Author Name : Dr. Tripti Dhar

ABSTRACT

As a human being, we all are societal and without society or societal involvement nothing can be fruitful. Buddhism has stresses on equal society which would be based on wisdom and compassion. Gautama Buddha himself has given a way out for removing all kinds of sufferings from our society through different prescribed paths. Buddhas concept of Brahma Vihara is very much logical, can be replicated in our society through our inter-relational behaviour, societal approach and empathetic mentality towards other being. Among the four Brahma viharas, compassion follows loving kindness.

The four Brahmavihāras are a string of qualities and Buddhist meditation perform to develop those virtues. Brahmavihāra is a term in Pali and Sanskrit, its meaning is  “Brahma abidings”, or "Sublime attitudes.". The four of Brahmaviharas are basic ground for dwelling with Brahma. According to the Metta Sutta, Shakyamuni Buddha maintained that nurturing of the Brahmavihāras has the authority to cause the practitioner to be re-born into a Brahma realm (Pali: Brahmaloka).These are the three mental states viz.-1) loving-kindness or benevolence, 2) compassion, 3) sympathetic joy, and, 4) equanimity. These virtues are the most super type of path against of negative mental feelings, which could be highly appreciable towards obtaining Buddhahood.

Key No: Brahmavihara, Buddhahood, Boddhisattva, Vipassanā, Citta