the 4 'sublime' or 'divine abodes', also called the 4 boundless states (appaman~n~a^), are: loving-kindness (metta^), compassion (karuna^), altruistic (or sympathetic) joy (mudita^), equanimity (upekkha^).
The stereotype text on the development of these 4 sublime abodes (brahma-viha^ra-bha^vana^; s. bha^vana^), often met with in the Suttas,- is as follows: "'There, o monks, the monk with a mind full of loving-kindness pervading first one direction, then a second one, then a third one, then the fourth one, just so above, below and all around; and everywhere identifying himself with all, he is pervading the whole world with mind full of loving-kindness, with mind wide, developed, unbounded, free from hate and ill-will." Hereafter follows the same theme with compassion, altruistic joy, and equanimity.
Literature: Detailed explanation in Vis.M. IX. - For texts s. "Path", 97ff; texts on metta^ in The Practice of Loving Kindness, by n~a^namoli Thera (WHEEL 7). - The Four Sublime States, by Nyanaponika Thera (WHEEL 6). - Brahma Viha^ra, by Narada Thera (Vajirarama, Colombo, 1962).
出自：南传佛教英文辞典
