THE SUBLIME ATTITUDES

The Sublime Attitudes A STUDY GUIDE ON THE BRAHMAVIHĀRAS Prepared by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu Copyright copyright 2014 ṭhānissaro bhikkhu This work

Introduction I : HEAD & HEART TOGETHER The sublime attitudes (brahmavihāras) are the Buddha’s primary heart teachings—the ones that connect most directly with

Readings 1. METTĀ DEFINED §1.1  “Monks, these four things are born. Which four? Love [pema] is born of love. Aversion is born of

2. PRAYER VS. RESOLVE §2.1  Then Anāthapiṇḍika the householder went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat

3. METTĀ IN WORDS & DEEDS §3.1  “Monks, a friend endowed with seven qualities is worth associating with. Which seven? He gives what

4. THE NATURE OF THE HEART & MIND §4.1  “I don’t envision a single thing that is as quick to reverse itself as

5. MOTIVATION FOR THE BRAHMAVIHĀRAS §5.1  Then a brahman cosmologist went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, exchanged courteous greetings

6. FABRICATING SKILLFUL MIND STATES §6.1  “Among whatever fabricated qualities there may be, the noble eightfold path—right view, right resolve, right

7. FURTHER PRACTICE §7.1  “You should train yourself thus: ‘My mind will be established inwardly, well-composed. No evil, unskillful qualities, once

Glossary Arahant:  A “worthy one” or “pure one.” A person whose mind is free of defilement and thus not destined for

Abbreviations AN Aṅguttara Nikāya Dhp Dhammapada DN Dīgha Nikāya Iti Itivuttaka Khp Khuddakapāṭha MN Majjhima Nikāya SN Saṁyutta Nikāya Thig