Human beings can be noble only when they practice Dhamma.
Brahmavihārā 4
(The Four Sublime States of Mind) is the moral principles that make those who follow them noble. It is a practice for leaders and parents and allows us to live happily with others.
The Four Sublime States of Mind include:
- Mettā – loving-kindness, friendliness, goodwill, wishing for others to be happy, having good wishes for others without discrimination including kindness to animals.
- Karuṇā – Kindness, desire to help others escape suffering, and compassion for others who are suffering.
- Muditā – Sympathetic joy, joining in praise and rejoicing in the success and goodness of others. No jealousy, and joy when seeing others happy.
- Upekkhā – Equanimity, neutrality, having a mind that is neutral, firm, unshakable, and fair, not biased by feelings of love and hate.
Humans are social animals, so the four Brahmavihāra are considered important virtues for humans that help them live together happily without exploiting or destroying one another. When there is peace, there will be harmony which brings prosperity to the entire society and the nation.