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Brahmavihara

Brahmavihara

ब्राह्मविहार, brāhmavihāra

"the abode of Brahma" (Pali)

A Buddhist practice consisting of four parts — four brahmaviharas.

  1. The first is the filling of the mind with benevolence (metta) and its distribution to all living beings.
  2. The second is filling of the mind with compassion (karuna).
  3. The third is filling of the mind with rejoice (mudita).
  4. The fourth filling of the mind with with equanimity (upekkha) in relation to all living beings.

According to Buddha, the name of this practice is such that one who practices it, after death enters the world of Brahma, because these states of mind correspond to the states of consciousness of Brahma himself.


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