His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin, Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, bestowed this teaching on August 26, 2022, in Prague, Czech Republic, at the request of Siddhártha Czech.
The four limitless thoughts (also sometimes called the four “immeasurables”) are loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity. They reveal the essence of Mahāyāna Buddhism, and we can attend to them both as Buddhist principles and as practical tools for spiritual development.
Developing a loving, compassionate, joyous, and peaceful mental attitude is crucial for the journey towards enlightenment, but practicing these thoughts will have a meaningful effect in the short-term, too. They will contribute to a more compassionate and harmonious world.
In this brief teaching, His Holiness gives insight into each of these four qualities and illustrates them with real-life examples. Those who engage in mind training on the four limitless thoughts will experience innumerable benefits.
Source: This teaching was obtained from the Siddhártha Czech Facebook.
We all possess some degree of loving-kindness and compassion, yet we often fail to extend these qualities to their fullest potential. This limitation prevents us from consistently maintaining unconditional love and compassion for all people and beings. Consequently, we find it difficult to experience lasting peace and happiness. For those with great aspirations, seeking liberation and enlightenment, it is essential to cultivate boundless love and compassion for all beings. Without this, one cannot break free from the cycle of saṃsāra, let alone genuinely embark on the bodhisattva path and ultimately attain buddhahood.
However, putting this into practice is no easy task. Overcoming self-cherishing requires not only persistence and courage but also skillful methods to aid in our practice. This text offers simple yet effective techniques suitable for everyone, regardless of their knowledge of Buddhism. By reading, reflecting, and practicing these methods, one can begin to appreciate their benefits, thereby fostering greater enthusiasm and perseverance.
Now, all you need to do is take the first step: turn to the first page and join us in cultivating the four immeasurables.
This Dharma teachings e-library is made possible by a grant from Sachen Foundation, and the generous donations of the Yueh Family Charitable Fund, and the Chan Family.