Importance of the first three Brahmaviharas in Theravadan Buddhism

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I find the sutta; Sankhitta Sutta: In Brief (Good Will, Mindfulness, & Concentration), helps a lot both in explaining the Brahmaviharas and in showing their connection to mindfulness of breathing.

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I do agree with the statement by Dhammadhatu that the brahmavihara manifest naturally ones the mind is free from defilements.

But, they can also be developed independently from anapanasati, meaning not as a preliminary practise. My teacher sees and treats them as great support of vipassana meditation. I guess their role ranges nowadays from: independent to preliminary to supportive.

I'm wondering if positivity is highly stressed in Buddhism?

Well, the teachings of the Buddha are about liberation from suffering. So, yes. If you accept being liberated from suffering as a positive thing then I would say it is highly stressed. :)

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Brahmavihara manifest naturally from non-defilement. Regardless, Brahmavihara is taught as a preliminary practise to Anapanasati. For example, from MN 62 and MN 118:

Develop the meditation of good will. For when you are developing the meditation of good will, ill-will will be abandoned.

Develop the meditation of compassion. For when you are developing the meditation of compassion, cruelty will be abandoned.

Develop the meditation of appreciation. For when you are developing the meditation of appreciation, resentment will be abandoned.

Develop the meditation of equanimity. For when you are developing the meditation of equanimity, irritation will be abandoned.

Develop the meditation of the unattractive. For when you are developing the meditation of the unattractive, passion will be abandoned.

Develop the meditation of the perception of inconstancy. For when you are developing the meditation of the perception of inconstancy, the conceit 'I am' will be abandoned.

Develop the meditation of mindfulness of in-&-out breathing. Mindfulness of in-&-out breathing, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit.

And how, Rahula, is mindfulness of in-&-out breathing developed & pursued so as to be of great fruit, of great benefit?

There is the case where a monk, having gone to the wilderness, to the shade of a tree, or to an empty building, sits down folding his legs crosswise, holding his body erect, and setting mindfulness to the fore. Always mindful, he breathes in; mindful he breathes out.

It is reported that, for the Buddha, metta was very important. For example:

Monks, if for just the time of a finger-snap a monk produces a thought of loving kindness, develops it, gives attention to it, such a one is rightly called a monk. Not in vain does he meditate. He acts in accordance with the Master’s teaching, he follows his advice, and eats deservingly the country’s alms-food. How much more so if he cultivates it!

AN 1:6.3–5

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