Teachings on Love

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Supplemental Research Paper “Maitri can be translated as “love” or “loving kindness.” Some Buddhist teachers prefer “loving kindness,” as they find the word “love” too dangerous. But I prefer the word “love.” Words sometimes get sick and we have to heal them. We have been using the word “love” to mean appetite or desire, as in “I love hamburgers.” We have to use language more carefully. “Love” is a beautiful word; we have to restore its meaning.” Teachings on Love by Thich Nhat Hanh, page 5. Thich Nhat Hanh explains the way to love from a Buddhist standpoint. It’s quite simple, in fact, but requires an amount of understanding and selflessness that seems merely impossible in such a fast paced and selfish world we now live in. It can be said that religion must be present in order to achieve true love, but that is in fact incorrect. Buddha supported everyone’s way of faith and belief, but still preaching that love, compassion, joy, and equanimity must be present- the four immeasurable minds. Sanskrit is the ancient Indic language of India, in which the Hindu scriptures and classical Indian epic poems are written. In Sanskrit, love in maitri, compassion is karuna, joy is mudita, and equanimity is upeksha. “The Brahmaviharas are four elements of true love. They are called “immeasurable,” because if you practice them, they will grow in you every day until they embrace the whole world. You will become happier, and everyone around you will become happier, also.” Teachings on Love by Thich Nhat Hanh, page 1. Brahmaviharas is the practice of the Brahmanic faith, which believed that Brahma was the universal God. In Buddhism, there are three treasures, four immeasurable minds, four noble truths, and an eightfold path-see a pattern? The three treasures are Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Buddha is referred to as the person who lived an unforgettable life, but anyone can be
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