INDEX

METTA SUTTA By the power of this Sutta, the Yakkhas do not show fearful visions, and a person who makes effort regarding this Sutta day and night (by reciting and practicing), sleeps comfortably, and when he is asleep, he does not have bad dreams. Oh good people! Let us recite this protective Sutta which is endowed with these qualities and others as well. He who wants to dwell penetrating the state of calm (Nibbāna) and who is skilled in his good, should practice the three kinds of training. He should be able, upright, very upright, obedient, gentle, and not conceited. He should be contented, easy to take care of, have few activities, have light living (have few possessions), and be controlled in his senses; he should be wise and not impudent and not be greedily attached to the families (devotees). He should not commit any slight wrong, by doing which he might be censured by wise men. May all beings be happy and safe. May their hearts be happy. Whatsoever living beings there be, feeble or strong, long or big or medium or short, small or fat (round), seen or unseen, those dwelling far or near, those who have been born and those who are yet to be born - may all beings without exception be happy. Let none deceive another or despise any person in any place. Let him not wish any harm to another with insult or ill will. Just as a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life, even so let him cultivate a boundless heart toward all beings. Let his thoughts of boundless love pervade the whole world-above, below and across; making them unrestricted, free of hate and free of enmity. Whether he is standing, walking, sitting or lying down, as long as he is awake he should develop this mindfulness in loving kindness. This is the Noble Living here (in the Dispensation of the Buddha), they say. Not approaching (taking) wrong views, being virtuous and endowed with Vision (the First Path Knowledge), and discarding attachment to sensual objects, he definitely does not come again to lying in a (mother's) womb.