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Practice of Brahmavihāra in Theravada Buddhism : 133
anger, desire into peace by actively involving ourselves in dialogues, social and political actions. Though such movements may still be in a small scale, Buddhists definitely need to contribute more to peace movement in the present world, as the teachings of this great religion has a lot to offer in terms of Brahmavihara and peace.
Concepts of Brahmavihāra
Brahmavihāra consists of two parts: Brhma and Vihāra, which means sublime and ways of living, respectively. Therefore, the term Brahmavihāra means 'sublime way to living'. The sublime state developed in a person can be extended to all members of the society, which will be symbolized by complete dawn of harmony and peace. As a result, it will not have hatred, enmity, jealousy, and inequality among its members. Each person should cultivate Brahmavihāra in oneself so as to be extended to others. This alone will result in the complete harmony and peace on earth. Brahmavihara has the four sublime virtues, namely, Mettä, Karuņā, Muditā, and Upekkhā, which will result in the perfect social order. These four sublime virtues are also termed as Appamannā, which means 'illimitable' because they find no barrier or limit and should be extended towards all beings without exception. They embrace all living beings including animals'.
The sublime states of Brahmavihāra are to be practiced in such way that they are so saturated in one's way of life. This means the Divine Principles manifest in all the activities of a person such as standing, sitting, sleeping etc.2 Thus, the need for the practice of Brahmavihāra arises from the emergence of social order with the reign of complete harmony and universal peace in this ill-disciplined world of today. The modus operandi of Brahmavihāra will be as follow:
"Metta embraces all beings, Karunā embraces sufferers, Mudita embraces the prosperous, and Upekkhā embraces the good and the bad, the loved and the unloved, the pleasant and unpleasant"".
Lord Buddha out of immanent compassion has thus shown a divine way of living by practicing Cattaro Brahmavihāras. After
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