Cattāri Brahmavihārā

Most of us practicing the Dhamma in North America today who were not born into Buddhism have had to make a choice at some time or another about the style of Buddhism we want to practice. And for me at least, pay off this choice had tested on a tired, oft used caricature of the Theravada and Mahayana paths. In short, I’d one believes that one must practice for one’s own benefit and gain a modicum of understanding before one tries to alleviate the sufferings of others then Theravada odd for you.  If you believe that it is more important to work towards enlightenment by means of compassion and other centered practices then you’re a perfect candidate for the bodhisattvayana.

Now, these are admittedly broad and doing generalizations and they don’t quite do justice to either style but this is more or less my mental crib sheet for these positions. But, as I practice a variety of teachings I see more and more that, when held correctly, sacrificing my desires for the benefit of others is for my own benefit as well. In fact, as long as the intention is invited with compassion and loving-kindness I can see no better way to live one’s life than through service to others. It is through karuna and the gradual development of wisdom that we see, perhaps, where we can help and when to just leave well enough alone (like the Lord Buddha did with the monks at Kosambi).