Metta Sutta
Metta Sutta
Metta Sutta
The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness
The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness
translated from the Pali by the Amaravati Sangha
This is what should be done by those who are skilled in goodness
and who know the path of peace:
This is what should be done by those who are skilled in goodness
and who know the path of peace:
Let them be able and upright, straightforward and gentle in speech.
Let them be able and upright, straightforward and gentle in speech.
Humble and not conceited, contented and easily satisfied.
Humble and not conceited, contented and easily satisfied.
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.
Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful, not proud and demanding in nature.
Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful, not proud and demanding in nature.
Let them not do the slightest thing that the wise would later reprove.
Let them not do the slightest thing that the wise would later reprove.
Wishing in gladness and in safety, may all beings be at ease.
Wishing in gladness and in safety, may all beings be at ease.
Whatever living beings there may be,
whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
the great or the mighty, medium, short or small, the seen and the unseen,
those living near and far away, those born and to-be-born.
Whatever living beings there may be,
whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
the great or the mighty, medium, short or small, the seen and the unseen,
those living near and far away, those born and to-be-born.
May all beings be at ease!
May all beings be at ease!
Let none deceive another, or despise any being in any state.
Let none deceive another, or despise any being in any state.
Let none through anger or ill-will wish harm upon another.
Let none through anger or ill-will wish harm upon another.
Even as a mother protects with her life her child, her only child,
so with a boundless heart should one cherish all living beings:
Even as a mother protects with her life her child, her only child,
so with a boundless heart should one cherish all living beings:
Radiating kindness over the entire world, spreading upwards to the skies
and downwards to the depths; outwards and unbounded,
freed from hatred and ill-will.
Radiating kindness over the entire world, spreading upwards to the skies
and downwards to the depths; outwards and unbounded,
freed from hatred and ill-will.
Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down, free from drowsiness,
one should sustain this recollection.
Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down, free from drowsiness,
one should sustain this recollection.
This is said to be the sublime abiding.
This is said to be the sublime abiding.
By not holding to fixed views, the pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision,
being freed from all sense desires, is not born again into this world.
By not holding to fixed views, the pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision,
being freed from all sense desires, is not born again into this world.