[无量香光 · 显密文库 · 手机站]
fowap.goodweb.net.cn
{返回首页}


The Craft of the Heart - On The Rewards of the Four Immeasurables
 
{返回 Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo 文集}
{返回网页版}
点击:2100

On The Rewards of the Four Immeasurables

The four immeasurable Sublime Attitudes are genuinely worth developing because they are qualities that soothe the hearts of living beings in general throughout the world — our parents, relatives, friends, companions, and all living beings of every sort. In addition, when the Sublime Attitudes are truly present in the heart, they can bring absolute respite from enmity, fear, and animosity. Thus the Buddha taught his followers: "Monks, when the release of the mind (from enmity, fear, and animosity) through good will is cultivated, developed, practiced often, used as a vehicle (leading to the desired goal), used as a foundation, nurtured unceasingly, made habitual, and constantly brought to mind, eleven rewards can be expected: One sleeps with ease, wakes with ease, and dreams no evil dreams. One is dear to human beings, dear to non-human beings, guarded by deities, and untouched by fire, poison, and weapons. One's mind is easily concentrated and one's complexion bright. One dies unconfused and — if penetrating no higher — is reborn in the Brahma worlds."

When a person acts, speaks, and thinks with good will, it soothes his or her own heart and is conducive to release from suffering. Those who develop these qualities as a constant practice will have the power to soothe the hearts of other living beings through the power of their good will. Thus to develop these qualities in thought, word, and deed is a genuine necessity for those who practice concentration.

In some places this practice is recommended only for those who are prone to anger. But as far as we are concerned here, you should practice this step first no matter what your disposition. If you are prone to anger, this practice will make it that much easier for you to concentrate your mind.

The four Sublime Attitudes have been compared to the four faces of Brahma surveying the four directions, or to fortress walls on all four sides of the heart. Whoever develops them will free the heart from fear and danger.

The development of the four Sublime Attitudes is especially beneficial in connection with the performance of meritorious acts. You should give alms with an attitude of good will, observe the precepts with an attitude of good will, and practice meditation with an attitude of good will. When done in this way, your activities will bring powerful rewards. Thoughts of good will are like clean drops of rain that fall from the sky, refreshing and nourishing the grasses and trees. Such thoughts are desired by all human races. Thus if you hope to develop merit, you should examine your heart at all times to see whether or not it is benevolent, so that whatever merit you may perform in thought, word, or deed will be truly conducive to future happiness.

The crucial element lies with the heart: If the heart lacks benevolence, you'll have a hard time protecting your words and deeds; but if the heart is truly benevolent, your words and deeds are bound not to be defiled. If words and deeds are defiled, though, they won't suffer the consequences of their defilement. The heart will. The heart is what reaps the results of all good and evil. This being the case, your next step should be to practice concentration so as to develop the heart.

 


{返回 Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo 文集}
{返回网页版}
{返回首页}

上一篇:The Craft of the Heart - On Practicing Concentration
下一篇:The Craft of the Heart - On Radiating the Sublime Attitudes
 Food for Thought - Respect For Trut..
 The Craft of the Heart - Jhana
 The Craft of the Heart - On Radiati..
 The Eye of Discernment - From The C..
 The Skill of Release - Contents & F..
 Food for Thought - Heightened Consc..
 Inner Strength - Part Three: Inner ..
 Basic Themes
 The Craft of the Heart - The Seven ..
 The Craft of the Heart - On The Lev..
全文 标题
 
【佛教文章随机阅读】
 欲除沉悼,先须认识沉悼体相,应如何认识及如何对治?[栏目:广论学习问答360则]
 趣品《圆觉经》之二十三[栏目:超然法师]
 什么在画--独山和尚出家的因缘[栏目:和颜爱语·山田無文]
 戒法之于人生[栏目:禅林衲子心]
 人间佛教禅观要义──谈印顺导师禅学思想的特色与贡献(性广法师)[栏目:人间佛教]
 出离心增上的衡量标准[栏目:慈成加参仁波切]
 五台山藏传佛教与民族团结[栏目:温金玉教授]
 无门直指 第三十八节 疑情[栏目:程叔彪居士]


{返回首页}

△TOP

- 手机版 -
[无量香光·显密文库·佛教文集]
教育、非赢利、公益性的佛教文化传播
白玛若拙佛教文化传播工作室制作
www.goodweb.net.cn Copyrights reserved
(2003-2015)
站长信箱:yjp990@163.com