Author: Tagare, G V

Love and Sympathy in Theravada Buddhism discusses the context and contents of the Theravada teachings on love, sympathy, and the collective meditative set of four sublime attitudes (brahmavihara) universal love, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity, The presentation is based upon the first four of the five collections of Buddha's discourses, a stylistically homogeneous compilation of the earliest strata of Theravada scripture compiled before 350 B.C. After discussing the pali material relevant to these topics in the first five chapters of this works, the author includes a detailed examination and critique of their position in Chapter six. His concern is with the motives to social action as well as thr psychological and soteriological import of the Therevada teachings on love, sympathy, and the sublime attitudes. Only through seeing thes facets can the unique vision of Theravada Buddhism be appreciated.