Question

Brahmavihāras are ___________.
• A. Nirvāṇa
• B. Maitrī
• C. Dhamma
• D. Muditā
• E. Jñāna Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. B and D only
• B. A and D only
• C. A and E only
• D. C and E only

Hint:

The Four Brahmavihāras are the four ideal emotions toward all beings:
• Maitrī -- Love
• Karuṇā -- Compassion
• Muditā -- Joy
• Upekṣā -- Equanimity

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: The Brahmavihāras are known as the “Four Sublime States” or “Four Divine Abodes.” These are elevated mental attitudes cultivated through meditation and ethical living. They represent the ideal emotional attitudes a Buddhist practitioner should develop toward all living beings.

Step 1: Listing the Four Brahmavihāras. The four Brahmavihāras are:
• Maitrī (Mettā) -- Loving-kindness
• Karuṇā -- Compassion
• Muditā -- Sympathetic joy
• Upekṣā -- Equanimity

Step 2: Identifying the correct options.
• B. Maitrī This is the first Brahmavihāra.
• D. Muditā This is the third Brahmavihāra. Thus, B and D are correct.

Step 3: Understanding why other terms are incorrect.
• Nirvāṇa is the ultimate liberation.
• Dhamma refers to the teaching.
• Jñāna means wisdom or knowledge. These are important Buddhist concepts but not members of the Brahmavihāra group.

Step 4: Final conclusion. Therefore, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{(1)\ \text{B and D only}} \]