Editing Love (section)

====Buddhism====
In [[Buddhism]], love is understood as a selfless, universal quality that serves as the foundation for compassion, joy in others' happiness, and [[equanimity]]. Together, these four qualities—loving-kindness (''[[maitrī]]''), compassion (''[[karuṇā]]''), sympathetic joy (''[[mudita]]''), and equanimity (''[[upekṣā]]'')—are known as the [[brahmavihara]]. Loving-kindness, the first of the four, fosters goodwill toward all beings and leads naturally to compassion for those who suffer, joy in others' achievements, and, ultimately, to equanimity, a balanced state free from attachment and aversion. This progression helps practitioners to reduce negative tendencies like ill-will, jealousy, and possessiveness, with the ultimate aim of cultivating inner peace and a compassionate view toward all beings, supporting both personal growth and societal harmony.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Piyapanyawong |first=Anchalee |date=2018-03-29 |title=An Analysis of Love Development in Buddhism |url=https://journal.oas.psu.ac.th/index.php/asj/article/view/1145/1065 |journal=วารสารวิทยบริการ มหาวิทยาลัยสงขลานครินทร์ {{!}} Academic Services Journal, Prince of Songkla University |language=en |volume=29 |issue=1 |pages=174–187 |issn=2351-0420}}</ref>

In [[Theravada Buddhism|Theravada]], love and sympathy play key roles in shaping ethical behavior and social actions. Sympathy motivates altruistic acts like teaching and helping others, while loving-kindness is cultivated primarily through meditation, acting as a form of mental liberation. Together, these qualities encourage impartial love and empathy, fostering personal peace and societal harmony, and supporting both individual growth and a more compassionate world.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hallisey |first=Charles |date=August 1982 |title=Love and Sympathy in Theravāda Buddhism. By Harvey B. Aronson. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1980. viii, 127 pp. Notes, Bibliography, Glossary, Indexes. Rs 45. |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-asian-studies/article/abs/love-and-sympathy-in-theravada-buddhism-by-harvey-b-aronson-delhi-motilal-banarsidass-1980-viii-127-pp-notes-bibliography-glossary-indexes-rs-45/67C0FAD2DE8CDA7B682BB6E0ECCA4DE4 |journal=The Journal of Asian Studies |language=en |volume=41 |issue=4 |pages=859–860 |doi=10.2307/2055485 |jstor=2055485 |issn=1752-0401}}</ref>

In [[Mahayana Buddhism|Mahayana]], love is understood as profound compassion and a commitment to mutual support. This concept is central to the [[Bodhisattva]] ideal, where practitioners vow to help all beings reach enlightenment, often delaying their own liberation to support others. Mahayana teachings emphasize selfless love, blurring the boundary between self and others, and seeing all beings as interconnected. This love, framed within the Mahayana understanding of reality as ultimately illusory, transcends ego and guides both the practitioner and others toward collective liberation.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Noss |first=John B. |date=1952 |title=Mutual Love in Mahayana Buddhism |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1458923 |journal=Journal of Bible and Religion |volume=20 |issue=2 |pages=84–89 |jstor=1458923 |issn=0885-2758}}</ref>

In [[Vajrayana Buddhism|Vajrayana]], love is a transformative force that, when disciplined, leads to spiritual enlightenment. Rather than rejecting desire, Vajrayana encourages the refinement of love and other potent energies as pathways to higher consciousness. By controlling and sublimating these energies, often represented through sexual energy as a life force ([[Kundalini|k''Kundalini'']]), practitioners unite the principles of wisdom and skill. Here, love becomes a symbol and method for ultimate unity, guiding practitioners to enlightenment by transforming personal desire into a universal connection.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Yogi |first=P. G. (著) |date=November 1998 |title=An Analysis of Tantrayana (Vajrayana) |url=https://buddhism.lib.ntu.edu.tw/DLMBS/en/search/search_detail.jsp?seq=682368 |journal=Bulletin of Tibetology |language=en |volume=34 |issue=3 |pages=16–38}}</ref>