← Scripture
Theravāda — Pali Canon · Khuddaka Nikāya — The Minor Collection
Kp 9The Teaching on Love
Pāli / Sanskrit:Mettāsutta
📖240 words · ~1 min read
2
Summary
The practice of developing universal goodwill: the practices that form a foundation for the practice, the attitude of universal goodwill itself, and the steps that lead from goodwill to awakening.
Full translation (English)
– Basic Passages 9
The Discourse on Love
Those who are skilled in the meaning of scriptureshould practice like this so as to realize the state of peace.Let them be capable and upright, very upright,easy to speak to, gentle and humble;content and unburdensome,unbusied, living lightly,alert, with senses calmed,courteous, not fawning on families.Let them not do the slightest thingthat others who are wise would blame.May they be happy and safe!May all beings be happy!Whatever living creatures there arewith not a one left out—frail or firm, long or large,medium, small, tiny or round,seen or unseen,living far or near,those who have been born and those about to be born—may all beings be happy!Let none deceive another,nor look down on anyone anywhere.Though provoked or aggrieved,let them not wish pain on each other.Even as a mother would protect with her lifeher child, her only child,so too for all creaturesunfold a boundless heart.With love for the whole world,unfold a boundless heart:above, below, all round,unconstricted, without enmity or foe.When standing, walking, sitting,or lying down while yet unweary,keep this ever in mind;for this, they say, is a divine meditation in this life.Avoiding harmful views,virtuous, accomplished in insight,with desire for sensual pleasures dispelled,they never return to a womb again.
Translation source: HT. Thích Minh ChâuLicense: CC0-1.0 (Sujato) · personal-use (Minh Châu)
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.
🔗Parallel editions