English

The Meditative Dynamics Of The Early Buddist Appamanas

ABSTRACT: With this article I review distinctive aspects of theearly Buddhist practice of the appamānas, theboundless states of benevolence (mettā), compassion( karunā ), sympathetic joy (muditā) and equanimity ( upekkhā ) My concern is specifically the function and potential of the appamānas in relation to the unfolding of the spiritual path of the individual quite apart from their beneficial relational and social effects, how are they meant to support the path to liberation since I focus on the early phases of Buddhist thought. and its position vis a vis the contemporary ancient Indian content, I employ the early Buddhist tetual material as my main source, generally leaving aside commentaries and later developments. A close reading of the texts indicates that the specifics of appamāna meditation in the content of the early Buddhist soteriological schemeare the prescription to develop it in dependence onthe factors of awakening (sambojjhangas) and the useof this practice as a platform for insight (vipassanā)and thereby for the realisation of awakening.

Sign in with your free account to read, download EPUBs or listen.