Four Elements of True Love According to the Teaching of the Buddha

What is love? Is it even possible to define such a concept as true love? For most of us, the perception and understanding of this feeling are made up of cultural definitions. We have been reading fairy tales since childhood, watching romantic films, reading novels and watching the relations of our idols. Throughout life, the perception of true love for everyone changes, how are the qualities that an ideal partner must have. But they always exist, these criteria and qualities - a loved one should love certain things and activities, do not have bad habits and have certain virtues, both physical and moral. This perception of love in our culture is considered quite normal. But, perhaps it is easier than we think.

True love according to the teachings of the Buddha

According to Buddhism, this is not a magical feeling from a fairy tale that sweeps us away and carries us to the seventh heaven. Everything is much simpler. Love, like a square - a geometric figure consisting of four equal sides, consists of four elements:

• kindness;
• joy;
• compassion;
• participation.

According to one of the Vietnamese monks, love is manifested when both lovers feel free and happy. To love is to please others and to experience joy. When in a feeling for a person these four elements are equivalent, this is true love.