May all sentient beings be freed from suffering and cease the causes of suffering.
May all sentient beings have happiness and all the causes of happiness.
May all sentient beings attain to a higher rebirth and never be separated from the Triple Jewel in those higher rebirths.
May all sentient beings achieve anuttarasamyaksambodhi swiftly and easily to help liberate all sentient beings in the ten directions and three times.
A few years ago while contemplating the nature of the Four Immeasurables and the Four Noble Truths, I decided to incorporate Bodhicitta motivations and goals into the prayer. Early in my Dharma studies, I scoured all the sutra translations I could find for 'active' Dharanis and Mantras. I looked at these mantras as an expedient means to help myself and all sentient beings. I noticed that some of the mantras had condensed 'heart' versions that could be recited more readily than the longer Dharani. I enjoyed finding these shortcuts and adding them to my practice. This gave me an idea. So, I formulated this version of the Four Immeasurables because I wanted something that also added the bodhicitta element and motivation.
Here's my version of the Four Immeasurables, which are Love, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity:
The Great Love and the Truth of Suffering:
May all sentient beings be freed from suffering and cease the causes of suffering.
The First Noble Truth taught by Original Teacher Sakyamuni Buddha was the Truth of the state of suffering. 'Suffering' in the Buddhist tradition is usually interpreted more broadly as the time spent circling in various rebirths in Samsara. The Buddha, through his omniscience which is inconceivable, had the gnosis of the overall state of the human condition. The starting point of the journey is this unshakable, firm understanding because the core-root of suffering is Ignorance.
The Great Compassion and the Truth of the Origin of Suffering:
May all sentient beings have happiness and all the causes of happiness.
The Second Noble Truth is the Truth of the Origin of Suffering. Once the Truth of the general condition is known then the causes and conditions of such arising is also known. To know the nature of suffering one also gains awareness of what is NOT suffering and to continue to abide in that state which is free from suffering, which is happiness. This understanding of the Origin of Suffering is also the catalyst that fires up the spark of bodhi. When this spark is ignited, it fuels a burning desire or aspirational wish that all beings, including yourself, be freed from Suffering and to only have states of pure Happiness--also known as the Great Compassion of the Bodhisattva.
The Great Joy and the Truth of the Cessation of Suffering:
May all sentient beings attain to a higher rebirth and never be separated from the Triple Jewel in those higher rebirths.
The Third Noble Truth is the Cessation of Suffering. Even though one has eliminated the causes of suffering and is generating the causes of happiness, one is still caught within the Desire realm of Samsara. Without the Truth of the Cessation, the states of bliss and suffering would continue to keep cycling. Being reborn into the state of a human or deva is preferred and is seen as a sign of accomplished Dharma practice and the accumulation of good energy or 'merit'. In order to fully realize the Truth of the Cessation, the one must embark on the path and have the guidance and refuge of the Triple Jewel of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. To never be separated from the Triple Jewel, in all future lives up until fully completed enlightenment, is to know the Cessation of Suffering or the Great Joy. When the Great Joy meets Bodhicitta, then the pure wish that all sentient beings may have the same Joy and Bliss as you have been given comes readily to mind.
The Great Equanimity and the Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering:
May all sentient beings achieve anuttarasamyaksambodhi swiftly and easily to help liberate all sentient beings in the ten directions and three times.
The Fourth Noble Truth is the Truth of the Path leading to Cessation. In this state, sentient beings are "free from both attachment and detachment" in the fully realized state of a Buddha or anuttarasamyaksambodhi. This is the real liberation from Samsara--the full realization that samsaric existence and nirvana are non-dual and empty of self-nature. The aim of the bodhisattva is the compassionate resolve to ferry all beings across the ocean of cyclic existence by means of skillful means and non-dual wisdom so that sentient beings may achieve enlightenment. The end result or the 'proof-in-the-pudding' of the Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering is the advent of a Buddha, a Tathagata that Abides in the Great Equanimity, that will bring benefit to countless beings.
For the benefit of all sentient beings in the ten directions and three times. Namo Buddha!
