Mogallanna 1 Lesson T2-3 22 Mar 09

The 4 Brahma Viharas
(This will be part of Wesak Day project/exhibition/display)
As discussed, we will need students to be in charge of the displays. Students to explain to the public what the display is all about. For this, we have selected Aaron Tay to be incharged.

There will be eight groups* of students headed by
1) Prime working on Metta
2) SeeToh on Karuna (Kee Zet, Hop Kins, Wee Hann)
3) YeeWan on Mudita (Sze Mei, Sue Yii, Sue Ann, Ai Ling, Amy Lim, Shi Shuen)
4) Sherin on Upekkha (Lynn, Jia Qun, Wei Ting, Shu Xian, Shu Mei)
5) Bryan on Hatred (Yu Ming, Kevin, Yan Leng, Sue Lyn, Sue San, Zhen Whei)
6) John on Cruelty (Justin, Xin Yi, Wei Gin, Mellisa)
7) KahYenn on Jealousy
8) KaiYuan on delusion, dullness, agitation

* (Team members in brackets)
Please, the rest of you, join into a group and let me or Bryan know so we can keep everyone updated. Sorry, Sui Lun and Elaine, I'm not sure which group you belong to. TQ

Each group will present a design to illustrate the respective topic on an A4 size ARTBLOCK paper. You may choose to use any colour medium you like. Coloured pencils, crayons, etc.

Some of the points we discussed pertaining to the 4 Brahma Viharas are as follows :-

Metta - Loving Kindness as an antidote to Hatred
Karuna - Compassion as an antidote to Cruelty
Mudita - Appreciative Joy as an antidote to Jealousy
Upekkha - Equanimity as an antidote to delusion, agitation.

We learned the meaning of the words
Brahma - Divine or godlike
Viharas - Place, abode, dwelling
It's where we should park our mind in constantly. According to the Metta sutta, a person who practise the 4BV will be reborn in the Divine abodes ie heavens.
We also learnt that these 4BV are also term illimitables or unlimited. We can cultivate it continuosly.

We talked about how to practise it. Mindfully at first. From the Digha Nikaya 13

I.

Here, monks, a disciple dwells pervading one direction with his heart filled with loving-kindness, likewise the second, the third, and the fourth direction; so above, below and around; he dwells pervading the entire world everywhere and equally with his heart filled with loving-kindness, abundant, grown great, measureless, free from enmity and free from distress.

II.

Here, monks, a disciple dwells pervading one direction with his heart filled with compassion, likewise the second, the third and the fourth direction; so above, below and around; he dwells pervading the entire world everywhere and equally with his heart filled with compassion, abundant, grown great, measureless, free from enmity and free from distress.

III.

Here, monks, a disciple dwells pervading one direction with his heart filled with sympathetic joy, likewise the second, the third and the fourth direction; so above, below and around; he dwells pervading the entire world everywhere and equally with his heart filled with sympathetic joy, abundant, grown great, measureless, free from enmity and free from distress.

IV.

Here, monks, a disciple dwells pervading one direction with his heart filled with equanimity, likewise the second, the third and the fourth direction; so above, below and around; he dwells pervading the entire world everywhere and equally with his heart filled with equanimity, abundant, grown great, measureless, free from enmity and free from distress.

We talked about contemplation of Metta as we have practise during Puja. May I be well and Happy, applying it to oneself, wishing oneself well, and then to others nearby, and so on to all beings in the world, and to all beings in all universes. Similarly we practice radiation of the other three. eg May I be compassionate, applying it to oneself, wishing oneself well, and then to others nearby, and so on to all beings in the world, and to all beings in all universes.

With the exception of Mudita (Symphatetic Joy) where it is not sensible to radiate towards oneself.