Four Immeasurables

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Prayers are ways of guiding our thoughts and energy in a certain direction; they are a technique in helping us transform our mind. By repeatedly thinking of the meaning of what we are saying or reading, we train and familiarize ourselves in a way of regarding and relating to ourselves and others. The testing ground that shows us which qualities are firm within us and which ones still need to be developed is our daily life with all its various activities. Thus for a person dedicated to developing his or her Buddha potential, prayers and the activities of daily life complement each other.

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Workshop on the Four Immeasurables: Love, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity
by Ven. Thubten Chodron©
Tai Pei Buddhist Centre, Singapore
13 & 14 Nov 2002

[Note: What follows are excerpts from the Workshop. The explanation and Q&A on meditation that were also given/discussed at this Workshop have been incorporated in the "Meditation" page.]

The Four Immeasurables - short version

May all sentient beings have happiness and its causes,
May all sentient beings be free of suffering and its causes,
May all sentient beings never be separated from sorrowless bliss,
May all sentient beings abide in equanimity, free of bias, attachment and anger.

The Four Immeasurables - long version:

How wonderful it would be if all sentient beings were to abide in equanimity, free of bias, attachment and anger. May they abide in this way. I shall cause them to abide in this way. Guru-deity, please inspire me to be able to do so.

How wonderful it would be if all sentient beings had happiness and its causes. May they have these. I shall cause them to have these. Guru-deity, please inspire me to be able to do so.

How wonderful it would be if all sentient beings were free from suffering and its causes. May they be free. I shall cause them to be free. Guru-deity, please inspire me to be able to do so.

How wonderful it would be if all sentient beings were never parted from upper rebirth and liberation's excellent bliss. May they never be parted. I shall cause them never to be parted. Guru-deity, please inspire me to be able to do so.

[mp3 files]

Introduction to the Four Immeasurables. Why are they called "immeasurables"? Significance of the word "all".
[25 min] : Download

Equanimity. Includes a discussion on how to relate to one's children with equanimity - does it mean we shouldn't be attached to our children?
[25 min] : Download

Question-and-Answer. Includes discussion on what it means to be a success in society; being worried about being different.
[16 min] : Download

Question-and-Answer - Cont'd. [24 min] : Download

Discussion on Forgiving and Apologizing
[17 min] : Download

Love - Part 1. What does it mean to be happy? What are the causes of happiness? Story of the Kashmir sweater.
[22 min] : Download

Love - Cont'd. [19 min] : Download

Contentment. Why is being discontented problematic? Does contentment imply we will not try to make things better?
[15 min] : Download

Love - Part 2. How to see sentient beings as lovable.
[20 min] : Download

Question-and-Answer [15 min] : Download

Question-and-Answer - Cont'd [23 min] : Download

Discussion on Jealousy. [15 min] : Download

Concluding Remarks. [2 min] : Download

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