Mettā Sutta
The Discourse on Loving-Kindness
The classic Pāli teaching on universal loving-kindness — mettā. Traditionally chanted as a protective verse, and the source text for nearly every loving-kindness meditation taught in the Theravāda tradition. The closing image of a mother protecting her only child is one of the most enduring in Buddhist literature.
This is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness, and who knows the path of peace: let them be capable and upright, honest and gentle in speech, humble and not conceited.
Contented, easily satisfied, with few duties and a light livelihood. With senses calmed, prudent, modest, and not greedy among families.
Let them not do anything, even the slightest, which the wise would later reprove. Let them think: may all beings be well and happy. May all beings be at ease.
Whatever living beings there are — whether feeble or strong, long, stout, or medium, short, small, or large, seen or unseen, those living near or far away, those born and to-be-born — may all beings be at ease.
Let none deceive another, nor despise any being in any state. Let none through anger or ill-will wish harm upon another.
Even as a mother protects with her life her child, her only child, so with a boundless heart should one cherish all living beings — radiating kindness over the entire world, above, below, and all around, without limit, without hatred, without ill will.
Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down, free from drowsiness, one should sustain this recollection. This is said to be the sublime abiding here.
By not holding to fixed views, the pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision, being freed from all sense desires, is not born again into this world.
Translator: buddha.fm — adapted from public-domain renderings of the Pāli · CC0