[762] The four boundless states (appamaññā).
Here a bhikkhu dwells pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with loving-kindness (mettā), likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; thus above, below, across, everywhere, and to all as to himself, he dwells pervading the entire world with a mind imbued with loving-kindness — abundant, exalted, measureless, without enmity, without ill will.
He dwells pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with compassion (karuṇā), likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; thus above, below, across, everywhere, and to all as to himself, he dwells pervading the entire world with a mind imbued with compassion — abundant, exalted, measureless, without enmity, without ill will.
He dwells pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with altruistic joy (muditā), likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; thus above, below, across, everywhere, and to all as to himself, he dwells pervading the entire world with a mind imbued with altruistic joy — abundant, exalted, measureless, without enmity, without ill will.
He dwells pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with equanimity (upekkhā), likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; thus above, below, across, everywhere, and to all as to himself, he dwells pervading the entire world with a mind imbued with equanimity — abundant, exalted, measureless, without enmity, without ill will.
Of the four boundless states, how many are wholesome (kusala)? How many are unwholesome (akusala)? How many are indeterminate (abyākata)? … How many are connected with conflict (saraṇa)? How many are without conflict (araṇa)?
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.