Metta-Sutta

Discourse on Loving-Kindness

Sutta Nipāta 1.8

 

Having made a breakthrough to the peaceful state,

this is what is to be done with virtue for the goal (extinction):

capable and direct and upright,

one would be easy to speak to, flexible, not arrogant,

 

one who is both contented and easy to support,

with little to be done, and living lightly,

calm and discerning and

unassuming, not greedy amongst supporters,

 

one would not do any slight thing

for which other discerning ones might find fault.

May all beings be at ease and safe,

may they be happy within themselves:

  

whatever (beings) there are, (in which) breath is come to be —

whether moving or still, without exception,

whether they are long or large,

medium, short, tiny or stout,

 

seen or even unseen,

those living near or far away,

born or those seeking birth —

may all beings be happy within themselves.

 

One would not deceive another,

one would not scorn anyone, anywhere,

through anger or ill-will,

one would not wish suffering, one to another.

  

Just as a mother would protect

with her life her child, her only child,

in the same way one would cultivate

a boundless heart-mind with respect to all beings.

  

One would cultivate a boundless heart-mind,

loving-kindness through the whole world,

above and below and across,

without obstruction, without enmity, without hostility.

  

Whether standing, walking or sitting

or lying down, as long as one is free from drowsiness,

one would (establish and) abide in this presence.

They call this Divine Abiding in this world.

 

And having not adopted a view,

a virtuous one, consummate in vision,

would remove greed for sense desires –

one would never again return to lie in a womb.

 

— translated by C.R. Nunamaker, with thanks to Fiachra Harte