What are the 4 Immeasurables in Buddhism?
Michael King
Updated on March 17, 2026
What are the 4 Immeasurables in Buddhism?
As a bodhisattva, the spirit of the Four Immeasurables – loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity – is something we need to cultivate in our heart each day.
What are the 4 divine abodes?
The four brahmavihāras are known in English as the four divine abodes and the four immeasurables. There is benevolence or loving kindness (mettā), compassion (karuṇā), altruistic or sympathetic joy (muditā) and equanimity (upekkhā).
What are the four divine Abidings in the Theravada Buddhist tradition?
The four states are metta (loving kindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (sympathetic joy or empathy), and upekkha (equanimity), and in many Buddhist traditions, these four states are cultivated through meditation.
What is metta karuna mudita upekkha?
metta (loving kindness) karuna (compassion) mudita (sympathetic joy or empathy) and upekkha (equanimity).
What are the 4 limitless qualities?
The Four Limitless Qualities are:
- Loving-kindness.
- Compassion.
- Sympathetic joy.
- Equanimity.
Are the four Immeasurables an ascent tradition?
What is a common image in a genre of South Asian tales? In the family scheme of many Jains, whose authority comes first? Why don’t Jains eat meat?
Why is compassion Karuna so important in Buddhism?
Compassion (karuna) Buddhists believe that they should show compassion to everyone. Compassion is one of the Four Sublime States , which the Buddha taught that people should work on and develop within themselves. People should do this so that they know (through wisdom) how to help others.
What are the 4 qualities of the mind?
Most Buddhist teachers present the four sublime states in the order I’ve written about them: metta (lovingkindness/friendliness), karuna (compassion), mudita (empathetic joy), and upekkha (equanimity). But in her book, It’s Easier Than You Think, Sylvia, with her usual common sense and clarity, starts with equanimity.
What is the meaning four sublime state of mind?
The Four Sublime States were a subject very dear to the heart of the Buddha. He spoke of them often. A person can achieve rebirth in a Brahma realm through the practice and attainment of the Four Sublime States; unconditional love, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity.
What are the Immeasurables?
Apramāṇa, usually translated as “the immeasurables,” means “boundlessness, infinitude, a state that is illimitable”. When developed to a high degree in meditation, these attitudes are said to make the mind “immeasurable” and like the mind of the loving Brahma (gods).