Metta Bhavana

Metta Verses For Recitation

As far up as the highest existence
As far down as the lowest existence
In the entire universe
Whatever beings that move
on earth, on water or in air
may they be free
from suffering and enmity
from physical suffering and danger.

Pervading Loving- kindness . . .

May I be free from enmity/danger
May I be free from mental suffering
May I be free from physical suffering
May I take care of myself happily.

May my father and mother and teachers
Relatives and friends and fellow meditators
May they be free from enmity
Be free from mental suffering
Be free from physical suffering
Take care of themselves happily.

In this Monastery/meditation place
All yogis/meditators
May they be free from enmity
Be free from mental suffering
Be free from physical suffering
Take care of themselves happily.

In this monastery/meditation place
May all bhikkhus
And samaneras
Laymen
And laywomen
Be free from enmity.

Discourse on Loving-kindness . . .

What should be done by one skilled in good
wishing to attain the state of peace is this:

(he/she should be) capable
and frank
and extremely honest
meek
and gentle
not proud.

And contented
and easy to support
and few duties
frugal
and serene in faculties
and prudent
not rude
not fawning on families.

He should not do even the slightest thing
which other wise men
might deplore
(then he should think) may they be happy and safe
may all beings be happy.

Whatever living things that exist
weak
or strong
without exception
long
or big
or medium-sized
short, small or bulky.

Those seen (visible)
or even unseen (not visible)
and those dwelling near or far
or creatures that still seek to be
may all beings be happy.

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 might guard her son
with her life, her only child
just so towards all beings
let him cultivate boundless mind.

Let loving thoughts for all the world
be maintained boundlessly
above, below and all around
unchecked, without hate or enmity.

Standing, walking or sitting or lying down
so long as he is not sleepy
he should develop this mindfulness
this is called divine abiding here.

And not falling into (wrong) views
virtuous, endowed with vision
removing greed for sensual pleasures
he will surely not born in any womb again.

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