Everyone wants to be happy, but according to Buddhism, there is no such thing as individual happiness. Because all people are interconnected, the happiness of one person depends on the happiness of all people. In order to be happy, all people must develop positive attitudes toward all other people and sentient beings. One way to do this is through the Four Immeasurables.
The Four Immeasurables are four positive states of mind. They are call immeasurable both because they are directed toward an immeasurable number of other beings and because the amount of good karma they create is immeasurable.
The Four Immearusables are loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity.
Loving-kindness is the wish that all sentient beings should be happy – not just the people we like, but all people and animals.
Compassion is the wish for all sentient beings to be free from suffering.
Appreciative joy involves rejoicing in the happiness of others, not just our own happiness.
Equanimity calls for regarding all sentient beings as our equals.
How do you think developing the Four Immeasurables can contribute to happiness? Explain.