Metta Suttaṃ

The Discourse on Loving-kindness

Yassā nubhāvato yakkhā, neva dassanti bhīsanaṃ,
Yamhi cevānuyuñjanto, rattindiva matandito.

Sukhaṃ supati sutto ca, pāpaṃ kiñci na passati,
Evamādiguṇūpetaṃ, parittaṃ taṃ bhaṇāma he.

Due to the glorious power of this discourse on loving-kindness, spirits dare not disclose the frightful sights. One who devotes himself to this doctrine day and night diligently — sleeps soundly and does not see any nightmare when asleep. Let us recite this doctrine endowed with such and other merits.

1. Karaṇīyamatthakusalena,
yanta santaṃ padaṃ abhisamecca
Sakko ujū ca suhujū ca,
suvaco ca ’ssa mudu anatimānī.

He who is skilled in welfare, who wishes to attain that state of peace [nibbāna],should act thus: he should be able, upright, perfectly upright, of noble speech,¹ gentle and humble.

2. Santussako ca subharo ca,
appakicco ca sallahukavutti
Santindriyo ca nipako ca,
appagabbho kulesvananugiddho.

Contented, easily supportable
with few duties, of light livelihood,
with senses calmed, discreet, not impudent,
not selfishly attached to families.

3. Na ca khuddamācare kiñci,
yena viññū pare, upavedeyyuṃ
Sukhino vā khemino hontu,
sabbasattā, bhavantu sukhitattā.

He should not pursue the slightest thing
for which other wise men might censure him.
May all beings be happy and secure, may their hearts be wholesome!

4. Ye keci pāṇabhūtatthi,
tasā vā thāvarā va navasesā
Dighā vā ye mahantā,
majjhimā rassakā aṇukathūlā.

Whatever living beings there be:
feeble or strong, tall, stout or medium,
short small or large,
without exception —

5. Diṭṭhā vā yeva adiṭṭhā,
ye va dūre vasanti avidūre
Bhūtā va sambhavesī va,
sabbasattā bhavantu sukhitattā.

Seen or unseen,
those dwelling far or near,
those who are born or those who are to be born,
may all beings be happy!

6. Na paro paraṃ nikubbetha,
nātimaññetha katthaci na kañci
Byārosanā paṭighasaññā,
nāññamaññassa dukkhamiccheyya.

Let none deceive another,
nor despise any person whatsoever in any place.
Let him not wish any harm to another out of anger or ill-will.

7. Mātā yathā niyaṃ puttam,
āyusā ekaputtamanurakkhe
Evampi sabbabhūtesu,
mānasaṃ bhāvaye aparimāṇaṃ.

Just as a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life, even so, let him cultivate a boundless heart towards all beings.

8. Mettañca sabbalokasmi,
mānasaṃ bhāvaye aparimāṇaṃ
Uddhaṃ adho ca tiriyañca,
asambādhaṃ averamasapattaṃ.

Let his thoughts of boundless love pervade the whole world: above, below and across without any obstruction, without any hatred, without any enmity.

9. Tiṭṭhaṃ caraṃ nisinno va,
sayāno yāvat ’assa vitamiddho
Etaṃ satiṃ adhiṭṭheyya,
bramhametaṃ vihāramidhamāhu.

Whether he stands, walks sits or lies down,
as long as he is awake,
he should develop this mindfulness.
This they say is the noblest living here.

10. Diṭṭhiñca anupagamma,
sīlavā dassanena sampanno
Kāmesu vineyya gedhaṃ,
na hi jātu gabbhaseyya punar eti ’ti.

Not falling into wrong views,
being virtuous and endowed with insight,
by discarding attachment to sense desires,
never again is he reborn into the womb.²

Mettasuttaṃ ārocaṭṭhaya vo rakkhatu

Mettasuttaṃ maṅgalaṭṭhaya vo rakkhatu

 Mettasuttaṃ Niṭṭhitaṃ

Notes

1. Suvaco = well-spoken, some translations have “obedient” which is also correct, but the commentary explains suvaco as speech that gives happiness.

2. The non-returners are only reborn in the Suddhāvasa Brahmaloka, where rebirth is spontaneous. They are free from any attachment to sense desires.

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