Dhamma Principles › Analysis of the Immeasurables: Definitions and Similes of Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Appreciative Joy and Equanimity
Analysis of the Immeasurables: Definitions and Similes of Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Appreciative Joy and Equanimity
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Analysis of the Immeasurables: Definitions and Similes of Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Appreciative Joy and Equanimity

Appamaññāvibhaṅgo

The thirteenth Vibhaṅga explains the formula for pervading with loving-kindness word by word, gives a simile for each immeasurable based on one's attitude to a single person, and shows that the first three can arise in the first to third jhānas, while equanimity arises only in the fourth.

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In the Appamaññā-vibhaṅga, the thirteenth chapter of the Vibhaṅga, the second book of the Abhidhamma Piṭaka, the topic is the four immeasurables — loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity — which pervade beings without limit. The text has three parts: the Suttanta analysis, the Abhidhamma analysis and the question section.

The Suttanta analysis takes up the formula of pervading one direction with loving-kindness, then the second, third and fourth, above, below and across, and explains it word by word, with a simile for each immeasurable as the attitude one person has toward another. The Abhidhamma analysis shows at which level of jhāna each immeasurable arises, as wholesome, resultant and functional.

The divine abidings as attitudes toward the people around us are treated at length in the discourses. This page focuses on the Vibhaṅga's method of definition and classification. Theravāda tradition holds the Abhidhamma to be the Buddha's teaching, while many scholars consider it compiled later.

  1. 1

    Pervading every direction, with a mind equal toward all beings Sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ

    The formula is that a monk pervades one direction with a mind of loving-kindness, then the second, third and fourth, above, below and across, the whole world, with a mind equal toward beings of every kind. The text explains "the whole world" as a term that includes all beings without remainder, and "pervading" as spreading out and inclining the mind. Compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity pervade in the same way.

    Applying it in daily life

    When practising loving-kindness, bring to mind each direction around you in turn — the house next door, the street in front, out to people far away — without skipping anyone.

  2. 2

    Loving-kindness: like seeing someone dear Piyaṃ manāpaṃ disvā mettāyeyya

    A monk pervades all beings with loving-kindness, just as one would feel loving-kindness on seeing a single person who is dear and agreeable. The text defines loving-kindness as loving, the act of loving, the state of loving toward beings, and the liberation of mind by loving-kindness.

    Applying it in daily life

    Recall the feeling of seeing someone you love walk in, then look at a stranger you meet today with that feeling for a moment.

  3. 3

    Compassion: like seeing someone in misfortune Duggataṃ durupetaṃ disvā karuṇāyeyya

    A monk pervades all beings with compassion, just as one would feel compassion on seeing a single person who is in misfortune and hardship. The text defines compassion as compassion, the act of pitying, the state of compassion toward beings, and the liberation of mind by compassion.

    Applying it in daily life

    When someone is irritable with you, consider that they may be struggling with something. Compassion can reduce the urge to retaliate.

  4. 4

    Appreciative joy: like rejoicing for someone dear Piyaṃ manāpaṃ disvā mudito assa

    A monk pervades all beings with appreciative joy, just as one would be glad on seeing a single person who is dear and agreeable. The text defines appreciative joy as gladness, the act of rejoicing, the state of appreciative joy toward beings, and the liberation of mind by appreciative joy.

    Applying it in daily life

    When you see someone's good news on social media, try feeling toward them as you would when a sibling or close friend does well.

  5. 5

    Equanimity: like seeing someone neither liked nor disliked Neva manāpaṃ na amanāpaṃ disvā upekkhako assa

    A monk pervades all beings with equanimity, just as one would be equanimous on seeing a single person who is neither agreeable nor disagreeable. The text defines equanimity as equanimity, the act of looking on evenly, the state of equanimity toward beings, and the liberation of mind by equanimity.

    Applying it in daily life

    When you must judge a matter between two parties, recall how you feel toward someone you don't know at all, and hold both parties in that way.

  6. 6

    Abundant, immeasurable, without enmity Yaṃ vipulaṃ taṃ mahaggataṃ

    The text explains "abundant" as a chain: a mind that is abundant is exalted; a mind that is exalted is immeasurable; a mind that is immeasurable is without enmity; a mind without enmity is without ill will. A mind with loving-kindness is one accompanied by, arisen with, joined with and associated with that loving-kindness.

    Applying it in daily life

    Notice whether your kindness still has conditions, such as being kind only to those who are kind to you. If so, that is where it can grow wider.

  7. 7

    The immeasurables at the level of jhāna Catasso appamaññāyo

    In the Abhidhamma analysis, loving-kindness, compassion and appreciative joy arise in the first through third jhānas in the fourfold method (or through the fourth in the fivefold method), while the text presents equanimity only in the fourth jhāna; all four are analysed as wholesome, resultant and functional. In the question section, the first three are accompanied by pleasant feeling and equanimity by neutral feeling; all four are exalted and have an external object; and only loving-kindness is a root. This point is for overall understanding.

    Applying it in daily life

    If you can't yet truly hold equanimity, don't force it. Steady loving-kindness, compassion and appreciative joy first, in the order the text sets out.

Try it in daily life

The similes in this chapter can be used at once, because they start from feelings everyone has had toward one person: loving someone dear, pitying someone in hardship, rejoicing when someone dear does well, and staying neutral toward someone neither liked nor disliked. Then you gradually extend that feeling to everyone.

The words "abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without enmity, without ill will" say that true loving-kindness has no boundaries and takes no sides. If the mind still divides people into those who deserve it and those who don't, it isn't yet immeasurable.

Equanimity here isn't indifference. The text places it at the most refined level of jhāna, as an attitude that comes after training the first three.

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