Sinchan     Created on Thursday, 09 October 2003 21:04  
  The Four Boundless States  
 
The Boundless sates are considered friends on the way to Nirvana.  They help in dissolving the idea of a seperate self.

The near enemy is a quality that can masquerade as the original.  The far enemy is the clearly opposite quality - the boundless state serves as an antidote for the quality mentioned as the far enemy.

Loving-kindness
              the near enemy to this is caring
              and the far enemy is hatred
Compassio
              the near enemy to this is pity
              and the far enemy is coldhearted
Symphatetic Joy
              the near enemy is also pity
             and the far enemy is rudeness
Equanimity
              the near enemy is tranquil
              the far enemy is impatience