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• • CONCEPT of d} l} ( METTA) iN

[An Anthology of Scholarly articles on Concept of Maitri (Metta) in Buddhism]

Editor: ARCHANA MALIK-GOURE The Centre for

Centre for Buddhist Studies is a new interdisciplinary initiative or the University of Mumbai at the Department of Philosophy that commenced during the academic year 2014-15. It attempts to generate interest (through courses) and pursue dgorous research (through Workshops, Seminars and Publications) in Buddhism. The partici­ pants in this initiative include both academicians with expertise in Buddhism and research students (who are interested in pursuing Buddhism either from the point of vi ew of its practicality or its theoretical foLindations).This initiative is committed to the inextricable link betvveen theory and practice in the pursuit of academic research programmes. The Buddhist Studies programme has so far pursued its aims through

Natic'l _1 and lnternanonal workshops, se minars and short courses in Classical and

Contt'"', >-1 • 51. ddh,sm. and Vipassana meditation. Mrs. Baljitlam­ t:P v,passa na Med,tation Centre Mumbai), among several others have conducted ,\/orkshops that have been well-received by the academic community. This initiative aims at taking forward the Department's Diploma and Advance Diploma Course in Buddhist Studies and Vipassana course (being conducted for almost two decades), towards specialization in Buddhism in the post graduate programmes like M.A, M.Phil and PhD. The Center for Buddhist Studies also welcomes and encourages inter­ d isciplinary research in the classical texts and practices of Buddhism.

"True friendship develops on the basis of human affection, not money or power" - His Holiness Dalai

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ISBN 978-93-85218-99-6 Content

Editor's Note

I. Significance and Uses ofthe Buddhist Corrcepts of lnrights. suffering and temporaliry for ph1losoph1cal enquiries - Rashm i Mishra 2. Psychology ofMetta Mind 9 - Baljit Lamba 3. Metta in Buddhism and Ahimsa in Jainism for 20 Environmental Preservation - Mailhili Guptc 4. The Concept ofliberation in Buddhism with 33 reference to Women Liberation - Al'chana Malik-Goure 5. Metta: a First Step toward the J

An Analysis of the Brahmaviharas as Guiding Principles for Social Harmony in Society

1 Namita Nimbalkar

will The society with its varied thought process and individuals to create a be coercive at different points of time. In order be placed on bannonious society. an emphasis needs to between the botl1 individuaJ and society. There is no separation y. wisdom or two. Thus the cultivation of personal moralit very powerful compassion. the whole process of bhavana. is a are developed tool in creating individuals who. because they the potential lo and are part of these larger sociaJ groups, have towards be skilled and forward-looking actors and contribute form an social hannony. ln this aspccl the Brahmaviharas harmony. important guiding principle for the creation of social

(appmanna) The brahmaviharas are the four immesurables practices which are to be cultivated as virtues and meditation udassana Suua found in the Tevijja Sulfa (D. I. 250). the Mahas 220) of the (D. ii. 186-7) and the Sang/ti Smta(D. iii. upon as an Dighanikaya. TI1e Brahmaviharas can be looked due to social answer to aU problems, events which arise of 1 Dr. Namita Nimbalkar, Associate Professor, Department Philosophy, University of Mu,mbai, [email protected] or sublime contact. These four values are said co be excellent towards because rhcv arc the right or ideal way of conduct of living bein~ (sa11esr1 sommo potipalh). The cuJtivation it also BraJunavihorm· is essential for the religious aspiranL bur part of tw an ethical connotation. The Brahmoviharas form a for good moral foundation essential for the aspirant who aspires and the life. Needless to say. good life can ·c be Jed in a vacuum of interdependence with others come into focus and the practice ' . as our higher virtues needs to be practiced vis a vis the 'other destiny is to Jive together i.n community. or The four Brahmaviharas arc: I. Mella (loving kindness benevolence) 2. Korona (compassion)3. (empathetic that the joy) 4. Uppekha (equanimity). It is vital lo understand for the cultivation of is the primary ground . lo the cultivation of Brahmaviharas and silo (moral conduct) as to the djgitaJ age of today, a question may be raised it holds any importance of the Brohmavihoras and whether the age of ground'? The question is an important one, since with and an globalisation and commw1j1ies moving at rapid speed to intermix of cultures and values it becomes important and how unders1ru1d the moral context of Brahmaviharas to unified com·ersation can be held inspitc of difficulty significant negotiate social agreement. The Brohmaviharas is a of aspect of , wherein the creation Since an harmonious society is of utmost importance. examine indivi duaJ compose a society. it becomes significant to the teachings of the Buddha and especially the Brahmaviharas social and its applicability in day to day Life to bring about societv. harmony in society. For the establishment of peaceful . · it is essential ro have Wise Intention and Wise View

the ~e Buddha understood that we can and should recognise and ~erenc.e between wbaf s skilful · and not skilful to develop what 1·s ski·lfuJ d h I . dehberarelv· choose. an w o esome our capaci'"'' to act ··• WI. sd om and thus developmg. • •.T Wlul of the compass10n. ::,ama sampajafina - clear comprehension individual crrcumstances in tl1eir totality- speaks to ways that be ~eopJe .can ~c empo_wcred human beings. and perhaps own framework for . um~ in ~ different kmd of way. \vith their · · workmg. . m society that 1s outside of our current political 1 po ansatJo~. lfs important to note lhar the BraJunaviharas . The four ~annor reside '" a mind which is full of hare ·d · muncasurable res~ e m abodes(vihara) because they should

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