The Practice Which leads to Nibbana - A Buddhist Library

w 85For the Buddha has taught:ÒHaving searched all directions with the mind, one cannot findanyone anywhere who one loves more than oneself.And in this same way do all beings in all directions lovethemselves more than anyone else, therefore one who wishes for hisown welfare should not harm others.Ó(sabbŒ disŒ anuparigamma cetasŒ, nevajjhagŒ piyatara mattanŒkvaci. Eva× piyo puthu attŒ paresa×, tasmŒ na hi×se paramattakŒmo. sa×-1-75)So in order to make our minds soft and kind by comparing ourselfwith others we should firstly develop lovingkindness towardsourself.You can do it by developing the following four thoughts:1. May I be free from danger (aha× avero homi).2. May I be free from mental pain (abyŒpajjŒ homi).3. May I be free from physical pain (an´gha homi).4. May I be well and happy (sukh´ attŒna× pariharŒmi).If a persons mind is soft, kind, understanding, and has empathyfor others then he should have no difficulty in developinglovingkindness towards another person so it is important that thelovingkindness you have developed towards yourself is strong andpowerful. So when your mind has become soft, kind, and hasempathy and understanding of others then you can begin to developlovingkindness to other beings. If you wish to attain lovingkindnessjhŒna using another person as the object then you should practise asfollows.