Appamāṇā cetovimutti
— The boundless liberations of the mind —
[appamāṇā cetovimutti]

The Buddha often praises the practice of the four appamāṇā cetovimutti: at AN 4.125, he explains how it can lead to various kind of rebirths in Brahmaloka; at AN 7.62, he says that having practiced mettā for seven years, he remained a deva without coming down to the human state for seven eons; at AN 5.27, he explains how it is a pleasant practice bearing pleasant fruits; at AN 11.15, he gives eleven good results of it visible in this life; at Iti 27, he declares that there is no better way to make merit. These practices are also sometimes described as 'brahmānaṃ sahabyatāya magga' (path to the company of Brahmā), and one who practices them as brahmapatta (having reached Brahmā).


Note: info·bubbles on all words



Mettā cetovimutti | Karuṇā | Muditā | Upekkhā


Bhikkhu mettā·sahagatena cetasā ekaṃ disaṃ pharitvā viharati, tathā dutiyaṃ tathā tatiyaṃ tathā catutthaṃ; iti uddham·adho tiriyaṃ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ mettā·sahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjhena pharitvā viharati.

A bhikkhu dwells pervading one direction with a citta imbued with mettā, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; so above, below, transversely, everywhere and in every respect,{1} he dwells pervading the entire world with a citta imbued with mettā, abundant, extensive, boundless, devoid of hostility, devoid of ill-will.

Bhikkhu

A bhikkhu {dwells pervading one direction}
mettā·sahagatena cetasā

with a citta imbued with mettā,
{ekaṃ disaṃ pharitvā viharati},

tathā dutiyaṃ tathā tatiyaṃ tathā catutthaṃ;

likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth;
iti uddham·adho tiriyaṃ sabbadhi

so above, below, transversely, everywhere
sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ

and in every respect,{1} {he dwells pervading} the entire world
mettā·sahagatena cetasā

with a citta imbued with mettā,
vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena

abundant, extensive, boundless,
averena abyāpajjhena {pharitvā viharati}.

devoid of hostility, devoid of ill-will.



Bodhi leaf



Mettā | Karuṇā cetovimutti | Muditā | Upekkhā


Karuṇā·sahagatena cetasā ekaṃ disaṃ pharitvā viharati, tathā dutiyaṃ tathā tatiyaṃ tathā catutthaṃ; iti uddham·adho tiriyaṃ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ karuṇā·sahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjhena pharitvā viharati.

He dwells pervading one direction with a citta imbued with karuṇā, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; so above, below, transversely, everywhere and in every respect, he dwells pervading the entire world with a citta imbued with karuṇā, abundant, extensive, boundless, devoid of hostility, devoid of ill-will.

{He dwells pervading one direction}
karuṇā·sahagatena cetasā

with a citta imbued with karuṇā,
{ekaṃ disaṃ pharitvā viharati},

tathā dutiyaṃ tathā tatiyaṃ tathā catutthaṃ;

likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth;
iti uddham·adho tiriyaṃ sabbadhi

so above, below, transversely, everywhere
sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ

and in every respect,{1} {he dwells pervading} the entire world
karuṇā·sahagatena cetasā

with a citta imbued with karuṇā,
vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena

abundant, extensive, boundless,
averena abyāpajjhena {pharitvā viharati}.

devoid of hostility, devoid of ill-will.



Bodhi leaf



Mettā | Karuṇā | Muditā cetovimutti | Upekkhā


Muditā·sahagatena cetasā ekaṃ disaṃ pharitvā viharati, tathā dutiyaṃ tathā tatiyaṃ tathā catutthaṃ; iti uddham·adho tiriyaṃ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ muditā·sahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjhena pharitvā viharati.

He dwells pervading one direction with a citta imbued with muditā, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; so above, below, transversely, everywhere and in every respect, he dwells pervading the entire world with a citta imbued with muditā, abundant, extensive, boundless, devoid of hostility, devoid of ill-will.

{He dwells pervading one direction}
muditā·sahagatena cetasā

with a citta imbued with muditā,
{ekaṃ disaṃ pharitvā viharati},

tathā dutiyaṃ tathā tatiyaṃ tathā catutthaṃ;

likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth;
iti uddham·adho tiriyaṃ sabbadhi

so above, below, transversely, everywhere
sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ

and in every respect,{1} {he dwells pervading} the entire world
muditā·sahagatena cetasā

with a citta imbued with muditā,
vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena

abundant, extensive, boundless,
averena abyāpajjhena {pharitvā viharati}.

devoid of hostility, devoid of ill-will.



Bodhi leaf



Mettā | Karuṇā | Muditā | Upekkhā cetovimutti


Upekkhā·sahagatena cetasā ekaṃ disaṃ pharitvā viharati, tathā dutiyaṃ tathā tatiyaṃ tathā catutthaṃ; iti uddham·adho tiriyaṃ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ upekkhā·sahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjhena pharitvā viharati.

He dwells pervading one direction with a citta imbued with upekkhā, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; so above, below, transversely, everywhere and in every respect, he dwells pervading the entire world with a citta imbued with upekkhā, abundant, extensive, boundless, devoid of hostility, devoid of ill-will.

{He dwells pervading one direction}
upekkhā·sahagatena cetasā

with a citta imbued with upekkhā,
{ekaṃ disaṃ pharitvā viharati},

tathā dutiyaṃ tathā tatiyaṃ tathā catutthaṃ;

likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth;
iti uddham·adho tiriyaṃ sabbadhi

so above, below, transversely, everywhere
sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ

and in every respect,{1} {he dwells pervading} the entire world
upekkhā·sahagatena cetasā

with a citta imbued with upekkhā,
vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena

abundant, extensive, boundless,
averena abyāpajjhena {pharitvā viharati}.

devoid of hostility, devoid of ill-will.



Bodhi leaf