Some
500 monks who went into the jungle to practise meditation
were disturbed and frightened by certain spirits,
whereupon they returned and reported the matter to the
Buddha. The Buddha then advised the monks to go back to
the same place but armed with the sword of metta (Loving-kindness) for their protection. The Buddha then
delivered this Sutta to teach them how to practise this
loving-kindness.
The
monks returned to the jungle and radiated their
loving-kindness to those spirits and thereafter they
continued with their meditation without any hindrance.
These same spirits who had earlier created disturbances,
later repented and paid their respects to the monks.
This
is, therefore, an important sutta for the devotees to
recite to radiate their loving- kindness to every living
being. By doing so they can overcome any disturbances,
find peace and happiness for themselves and help others to
live peacefully by practicing this great virtue. |
|
Karaniya
Metta Sutta
|
Karan²ya
mattha kusalena
Yantam santam padam abhi-samecca
Sakko uj³ ca s³j³ ca
Suvaco cassa mudu anatim±ni
|
He
who is skilled in doing good and
who wishes to attain that state of calm
(i.e. Nibbana) should act thus.
He should be able, upright, perfectly upright,
obedient, gentle and humble. |
| |
|
Santussako
ca subharo ca
Appa-kicco ca sallahuka-vutti
Santindriyo ca nipako ca
Appa-gabbho kulesu ananu giddho |
Contented,
easily looked after,
(i.e. not a burden to others)
with few duties, simple in livelihood.
Controlled in senses, discreet, not impudent;
Not greedily attached to families |
| |
Naca
khuddham sam±care kinci
Yena viññ³ pare upava-deyyu
Sukhino v± khemino hontu
Sabbe satt± bhavantu sukhi-tatt±
|
He
should not commit any slight wrong,
so that other wise men might find fault in him.
May all beings be happy and safe,
may their hearts be wholesome. |
| |
Ye
keci p±na bh³-tatthi
Tas±v± th±var± v± anava ses±
D²gh± v± ye mahant± v±
Majjhim±-rassa-k±nuka th³l±
|
Whatsoever
living beings there are;
feeble or strong, long, stout or medium,
Short, small or large, seen or unseen.
|
| |
Ditth±
v± yeva additth±
Ye ca d³re vasanti avid³re
Bh³t± v± sambhaves² v±
Sabbe satt± bhavantu sukhi-tatt±
|
Those
dwelling far or near,
those who are born and those
who are to be born.
May all beings, without exception,
be happy minded. |
| |
Na
paro param nikubbetha
N±ti-maññetha katthaci nam kanci
By±ro-san± patigha-saññ±
N±ñña-maññassa dukkha-miccheyya
|
Let
not one deceive another nor despise any
person whatsoever in any place.
In anger or ill-will,
let him not wish any harm to another. |
| |
M±t±
yath± niyam puttam
¾yus± eka-putta-manu rakkhe
Evampi sabba bh³tesu
M±nasam-bh±vaye apari-m±nam
|
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. |
| |
Mettanca
sabba lokasmin
M±nasam-bh±vaye apari-m±nam
Uddham adho ca tiriyanca
Asam-b±dham averam asa-pattam
|
Let
thoughts of boundless love pervade the
whole world; above, below and across
without any obstruction,
without any hatred, without any enmity. |
| |
Tittham
caram nisinno v±
Say±no v± y±va tassa vigata middho
Etam satim adhittheyya
Brahma metam vih±ram idha-m±hu
|
Whether
he stands, walks, sits or lies down,
as long as he is awake,
he should develop this mindfulness.
This, they say is the Highest conduct here.
|
| |
Ditthiñca
anupa gamma s²lav±
Dassa-nena sampanno
K±mesu vineyya gedham
Nahi j±tu gabbha seyyam punaret²ti
|
Not
falling into error,
virtuous and endowed with insight,
he discards attachment to sensuous desires.
Truly, he does not come again;
to be conceived in a womb. |
| |
|
Etena
sacca vajjena
Sotthi me* hotu sabbad±
|
By
the firm determination of this truth
May I ever be well.
|
