sharing: Excellent article on the divine abodes
sova
delocalized fractyllic harmonizing Veteran
http://www.gratefulness.org/readings/jh_boundless.htm
"How rare it is to open to the nourishment of basic goodness!"
A Brahmin once came to the Buddha and asked him how he could enter the Abode of Brahma or the Divine. The Buddha told him that this was possible by practicing boundless kindness toward all beings, boundless compassion with all beings, boundless joy in the salvation and basic goodness of all beings, and boundless equanimity toward all beings, whether friend or foe. Practicing thus, the Buddha explained, makes it possible for one to transform the obstacles of meanness, gloating over the misfortune of others, unhappiness, and preferential mind. This was the way, he explained, that we enter the abode of the divine.
In another sutra, there is a story about the Buddha manifesting these boundless qualities of mind that he taught his Brahmin student. Once there was a very ill monk. His body was covered with suppurating, foul-smelling sores that were leaking pus. No one wanted to care for him because he looked and smelled so terrible. The Buddha went to the monk’s bedside and cleaned his sores, bathed him, and gave him support and inspiration as well as teachings. Some time later the Buddha told his followers that if they really wanted to serve him, they should serve the sick with boundless kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. The Buddha knew that he was not separate from any form of suffering.
More at the link above. Article by Joan Halifax Roshi
Additional notes:
metta, karuna, mudita (lovingkindness, compassion, symapathetic/empathicjoy) is each a suitable support for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd jhanas. upekka (equanimity or "equal mind") is suitable support for the fourth jhana.
Comments
Good article, thanks @sova.