Four Noble Truths and the Brahma Viharas

I have asked myself whether there exists a link between the Four Noble Truths and the Brahma Viharas (also known as the four divine abodes or the boundless states).

As a result, I created a table which presents the Four Noble Truths and the four Brahma Viharas side by side, in two columns.

In looking at the table, I believe that a relationship or correlation between the Four Noble Truths and the four divine abodes does emerge.

The Four Noble Truths are:

1. The Truth of Dissatisfaction and Suffering
2. The Cause of Dissatisfaction and Suffering
3. The End of Dissatisfaction and Suffering
4. The Path Leading to the End of Dissatisfaction and Suffering

The Four Brahma Viharas (sublime attitudes) are:

1. Metta – goodwill; the wish for true happiness, directed first to oneself and then to others
2. Karuna – compassion; the desire for suffering to stop
3. Mudita – empathetic joy; the desire for happiness to continue
4. Upekkha – equanimity; the discernment to see where one can truly be of help; not cold-heartedness or indifference

• For a copy of the table, click Link Between the Four Noble Truths and the Brahma-viharas.
• For an MS Word copy, click Link Between the Four Noble Truths and the Brahma-viharas.