Heart of the Teachings

Essentials of Buddhism

Boundless States

Friends on the way to freedom

The boundless states or brahmaviharas are considered friends on the way to Nirvana. They help in dissolving the idea of a separate self.

  1. Loving kindness
  2. Compassion
  3. Sympathetic Joy
  4. Equanimity

Near enemy is a quality that can masquerade as the original, but is not the original. Far enemy is the clearly opposite quality. The boundless state serves as an antidote for the quality mentioned as the far enemy.

the way

States

Description of States

Pali

English

Description

Near Enemy

Far Enemy

metta

Loving kindness

Good-will, friendship, unconditional love for all beings

Selfish love

Hatred

karuna

Compassion

Empathy, to feel with someone instead of for someone

Pity

Cruelty

mudita

Sympathetic joy

Spontaneous joy in response to others’ success

Hypocrisy

Envy

upekkha

Equanimity

Even-mindedness based on insight into the nature of things

Indifference

Anxiety