俱舍論頌疏論本 29.4

29.4

Explanation: The first line marks the topic in general; the next line shows that there are only four; the next two lines reveal their intrinsic nature; the next three lines explain their aspects; the next line explains their object; the next two lines explain their grounds of dependence; the next line explains that they do not abandon afflictions; the next line explains their location and achievement. 'The immeasurables are four': first, benevolence; second, compassion; third, sympathetic joy; fourth, equanimity. They are called 'immeasurable' because they take immeasurable sentient beings as their object, because they induce immeasurable merit, and because they bring about immeasurable fruit. Question: 'For what reason are there only four?' Answer: 'The verse says, "because of counteracting hatred and the like" (the "and the like" includes the three obstacles such as malice); here there are four obstacles: first, hatred; second, malice; third, non-rejoicing; fourth, sensual greed and hatred. Because they counteract these four frequently occurring obstacles, benevolence and the rest are established.'