Friday, October 28, 2005

what is 'metta'?

Going to the source by looking to a Buddhist sutra on metta is probably the best way to go:

He who is skilled in doing good and who wishes to attain that state of calm (Nibbana) should act thus: He should be able, upright, perfectly upright, obedient, gentle and humble.

Contented, easily supportable (i.e. not a burden to others), with few duties, simple in livelihood. Controlled in senses, discreet, not impudent, not greedily attached to families.

He should not commit any slight wrong, so that other wise men might deplore. May all beings be happy and safe, may their hearts be happy.

Whatsoever living beings that exist; weak, or strong, without exception, long, stout or medium, short, small or large, those seen (visible) or unseen (not visible) and those dwelling far or near, those who are born and those who are to be born. May all beings, without exception, be happy minded. Let no one deceive another nor despise anyone anywhere. In anger or ill will, let them not wish each other harm.

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

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

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.

Not falling into (wrong) views, virtuous and endowed with vision (insight), he discards attachment to sensuous desires. Truly, he does not come again; to be conceived in a womb.

By the firm determination of this truth, may I ever be well. By the firm determination of this truth, may I be free from illness. By the firm determination of this truth, may peaceful victory be mine!

I retrieved this from Wikipedia, the open source knowledge encyclopedia ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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