In Buddhist teachings, what does the term metta primarily refer to?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. Fellow feeling.
Metta (Pali) or Maitri (Sanskrit) is a core Buddhist virtue primarily referring to loving-kindness or fellow feeling. It represents an unconditional, selfless desire for the well-being and happiness of all living beings, without any attachment or expectation. Unlike romantic love, Metta is universal and inclusive, aimed at dissolving boundaries between self and others. It is often cultivated through specific meditation practices to overcome anger, ill-will, and hatred, fostering a compassionate and peaceful mind.
Other options:
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Mindful meditation: Refers to Sati or Vipassana, which focuses on awareness of the present moment rather than the cultivation of loving-kindness.
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Ritual purity: Relates to external ceremonies and rules common in some traditions, whereas Metta is an internal emotional and mental quality.
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Celibacy and renunciation: Known as Brahmacharya and Nekkhamma, these involve giving up worldly pleasures to seek spiritual liberation.