One who actively develops loving kindness, Mindfully and without limit, Sees their attachments wane; Their bonds become worn thin. yo ca mettaṃ bhāvayati appamāṇaṃ paṭissato tanū saṃyojanā honti passato upādhikkhayaṃ One who actively develops loving kindness As gentle and natural as loving kindness can feel experientially, it is generally not something that “just happens” on its own except under particular circumstances (as when a mother gazes upon her slumbering child, for … [Read more...]
Metta in Anguttara Nikaya
Andrew Olendzki
No other thing do I know, on account of which unarisen ill will does not arise and arisen ill will is abandoned, so much as on account of this: the liberation of the heart by loving-kindness. For one who attends properly to the liberation of the heart by loving-kindness, unarisen ill will does not arise and arisen ill will is abandoned. (Nyanaponika & Bodhi, Numerical Discourses of the Buddha, p. 34) This passage points directly to why the development of loving kindness (mettā-bhāvanā) is … [Read more...]
Metta in Other Suttas
Andrew Olendzki
With all ten verses of the Mettā Sutta covered, we can turn our attention to other passages in the Pali literature that address the matter of loving kindness and its cultivation. The following passage occurs in several places in the suttas, and can be taken as one of the core classical descriptions of the practice of loving kindness. so mettā-sahagatena cetasā ekaṃ disaṃ pharitvā viharati, tathā dutiyaṃ, tathā tatiyaṃ, tathā catutthaṃ. iti uddhamadho tiriyaṃ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṃ … [Read more...]
Metta Sutta Verse 10
Andrew Olendzki
Without falling into mistaken views, Endowed with insight and integrity, Guiding away greed for sensual things, One would not be born again in a womb. diṭṭhiñ ca anupagamma sīlavā dassanena sampanno kāmesu vineyya gedhaṃ, na hi jātu gabbhaseyyam punar etī ti Without falling into mistaken views Are not all views mistaken views? This certainly seems to be the perspective of the earliest discourses (e.g. the Rhinoceros Horn Sutta and the Atthakavagga of the Sutta Nipāta), which seem … [Read more...]
Metta Sutta Verse 9
Andrew Olendzki
Standing, walking, sitting or lying down, As long as one is devoid of torpor, One would resolve upon this mindfulness —This is known as sublime abiding here. tiṭṭhaṃ caraṃ nisinno vā sayāno vā yāvat’ assa vigatamiddho, etaṃ satiṃ adhiṭṭheyya, brahmam etaṃ vihāram idha-m-āhu. Standing, walking, sitting or lying down, These four are meant to cover all the positions one can place the body in, thus conveying the idea that both loving kindness and mindfulness can be practiced at all … [Read more...]
Metta Sutta Verse 8
Andrew Olendzki
Develop a mind of loving kindness Unbounded toward the entire world: Above and below and all the way ‘round, With no holding back, no loathing, no foe. mettañ ca sabbalokasmim mānasaṃ bhāvaye aparimāṇaṃ uddhaṃ adho ca tiriyañ ca asambādhaṃ averam asapattaṃ. Develop a mind of loving kindness One of the principle words for meditation is bhāvanā, a word which literally means “causing to be” and is generally translated as “development.” Loving kindness is developed in the mind, since … [Read more...]
Metta Sutta Verse 7
Andrew Olendzki
Just as a mother would watch over her Son—her one and only son—with her life, In just the same way develop a mind Unbounded toward all living creatures. Mātā yathā niyaṃputta— āyusā ekaputtam anurakkhe, evam pi sabbabhūtesu mānasaṃ bhāvaye aparimāṇaṃ. Just as a mother would watch over her Son—her one and only son—with her life, Many modern relationships between mothers and sons, as between parents and children in general, can be quite difficult, which might diminish somewhat the … [Read more...]
Metta Sutta Verse 6
Andrew Olendzki
Let no one work to undo another. Let no one think badly of anyone. Either with anger or with violent thoughts, One would not wish suffering on others, na paro paraṃ nikubbetha, nātimaññetha katthacinam kañci, byārosanā paṭighasaññā nāññamaññassa dukkham iccheyya. Let no one work to undo another Since all of us must act in the world at all times (even refraining from action is a form of action), this line of verse asks us to take care that the actions we undertake do not work … [Read more...]
Metta Sutta Verse 5
Andrew Olendzki
Whether visible or invisible, Dwelling far away or not far away, Whether born already or not yet born —May all beings be happy in themselves. diṭṭhā vā ye vā addiṭṭhā, ye ca dūre vasanti avidūre, bhūtā vā sambhavesi vā,— sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā. Whether visible or invisible This verse continues the Metta Suttā’s exercise of extending the intention of loving kindness as inclusively and extensively as we can possibly imagine. Yes, we can simply say the phrase “May all beings … [Read more...]
Metta Sutta Verse 4
Andrew Olendzki
Whatsoever living beings exist, Without exception, whether weak or strong, Whether tall & large, middle-sized, or short, Whether very subtle or very gross, ye keci pāṇabhūt’ atthi tasā vā thāvarā vā anavasesā dighā vā ye mahantā vā majjhimā rassakā aṇukathūlā, Whatsoever living beings exist, without exception This verse of the Mettā Sutta is above all an exercise in imagination. It calls upon us to conjure up in our minds the image of every living thing possible, enticing us … [Read more...]