Dear friends,
In a world that often feels divided, the timeless wisdom of the Karaniya Metta Sutta offers a powerful reminder of the transformative power of loving-kindness. This cherished Buddhist discourse, attributed to the Buddha himself, serves as both a guide and an inspiration for cultivating compassion, peace, and goodwill toward all beings—without exception.
The Karaniya Metta Sutta outlines practical qualities to embody, such as honesty, humility, and gentleness, while encouraging us to extend boundless love to others, just as a mother loves her child. Its verses are a call to break down barriers of hatred and embrace a heart free from ill will, radiating kindness to every corner of the world.
As we navigate our daily lives, the sutta invites us to pause and reflect: How can we embody loving-kindness in our thoughts, words, and actions? How can we extend compassion not only to those we love but also to those we find challenging? Below, we share the full text of the Karaniya Metta Sutta (translated from Pali) for you to explore and meditate upon. May its words inspire you to cultivate peace within and share it with the world.
This is what should be done
By one who is skilled in goodness,
And who knows the path of peace:
Let them be able and upright,
Straightforward and gentle in speech,
Humble and not conceited,
Contented and easily satisfied,
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.
Peaceful and calm and wise and skillful,
Not proud or demanding in nature.
Let them not do the slightest thing
That the wise would later reprove.
Wishing: In gladness and in safety,
May all beings be at ease.
Whatever living beings there may be;
Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
The great or the mighty, medium, short or small,
The seen and the unseen,
Those living near and far away,
Those born and to-be-born —
May all beings be at ease!
Let none deceive another,
Or 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:
Spreading upwards to the skies,
And downwards to the depths;
Outwards and unbounded,
Freed from hatred and 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.
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.
With metta,
InsightLA