The Mettā Sutta is the name used for two Buddhist discourses (Pali: sutta) found in the Pali Canon. The one, more often chanted by Theravadin monks, is also referred to as Karaṇīyamettā Sutta after the opening word, Karaṇīyam, "(This is what) should be done."[1] It is found in the Suttanipāta (Sn 1.8) and Khuddakapāṭha (Khp 9). It is ten verses in length and it extols both the virtuous qualities and the meditative development of mettā (Pali), traditionally translated as "loving kindness"[2] or "friendliness".[3] Additionally, Thanissaro Bhikkhu's translation,[4] "goodwill", underscores that the practice is used to develop wishes for unconditional goodwill towards the object of the wish.
The other, also chanted by Theravadin Buddhist monks at times, extols the benefits of the practice of mettā (Pali) and it is found in the Anguttara Nikaya (AN 11.15). is also referred to as Mettānisamsa Sutta. This article will focus on the first version.
In Theravāda Buddhism's Pali Canon, mettā is one of the four "divine abodes" (Pali: brahmavihāra) recommended for cultivating interpersonal harmony and meditative concentration (see, for instance, kammaṭṭhāna). In later canonical works (such as the Cariyāpiṭaka), mettā is one of ten "perfections" (pāramī) that facilitates the attainment of awakening (Bodhi) and is a prerequisite to attaining Buddhahood.
According to post-canonical Sutta Nipātacommentary, the background story for the Mettā Sutta is that a group of monks were frightened by the earth devas in the forest where the Buddha had sent them to meditate. When the monks sought the Buddha's advice in dealing with the situation, the Buddha taught the monks the Mettā Sutta as an antidote to overcome their fear. The monks recited the sutta and radiated loving-kindness. Their good-will placated the earth devas to be at ease and stay quiet as well.[5][6]
Contentsedit
The Mettā Sutta contains a number of recollections or recitations that promote the development of mettā through virtuous characteristics and meditation.
The discourse identifies fifteen moral qualities and conditions conducive to the development of mettā. These include such qualities as being non-deceptive (uju), sincere (suju), easy to correct (suvaco), gentle (mudu) and without arrogance (anatimānī).[5]
In terms of meditative development, the discourse identifies:
an intentional wish that facilitates generating mettā (Pali: sukhino vā khemino hontu; English: "May all beings be happy and safe")
a means for developing meditational objects (a list of various sizes, proximity, etc.) for such a wish
a metaphor — of a mother's protective love for her only child — for how one should cherish this meditation theme and guard it safely. (Note: this is often - indeed, almost universally - misinterpreted as a prototypical metaphor for the feeling we ought to cultivate toward others; however, this is not its intended meaning, as explained by Thanissaro Bhikkhu in the article "Metta Means Goodwill.")[7]
a method for radiating mettā outwards in all directions[8]
Useedit
It is often recited as part of religious services in the Theravāda tradition, but is also popular within the Mahayana tradition.
It has been reported that Buddhist monks chanted the Mettā Sutta as part of their demonstration in September and October 2007 against the military in Burma.[9]
See alsoedit
Brahmavihāra - four "divine abodes" identified by the Buddha, including metta.
Pāramī - in Theravada Buddhism, mettā is one of noble character qualities generally associated with Enlightened beings.
Paritta - Traditional Buddhist "protective scriptures", including this sutta.
^Bodhi (2005a), pp. 90, 131, 134, passim; Gethin (1998), pp. 26, 30, passim [spelled as two words: "loving kindness"]; Harvey (2007), pp. 247-8 [spelled without a hyphen: "lovingkindness"]; Ñāṇamoli & Bodhi (2001), pp. 120, 374, 474, passim; Salzberg (1995), passim [without a hyphen]; Walshe (1995), p. 194; Warder (2004), pp. 63, 94.
^Kamalashila (1996); Rhys Davids & Stede (1921-25), p. 540, entry for "Mettā," (retrieved 2008-08-22 from "U. Chicago" at [1]). Rhys Davids & Stede's complete list of general translations is "love, amity, sympathy, friendliness, active interest in others." See also Gunaratana (2007) who uses "loving-friendliness" based on the Pali word metta's being related to the Pali word mitta ("friend") and that, for Gunaratana, "kindness" is more akin to the Buddhist notion of karuna (compassion).
Gunaratana, Henepola (2007). "2007 Brahmavihara Retreat: The Karaniyametta Sutta, Introduction and Stanza One" (lecture). Retrieved from "Bhavana Society" at [4] (mp3).
Harvey, Peter (2007). An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN0-521-31333-3.
Kamalashila (1996). Meditation: The Buddhist Art of Tranquility and Insight. Birmingham: Windhorse Publications. ISBN1-899579-05-2. Retrieveable from the author's personal web site at
Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu (trans.) & Bhikkhu Bodhi (ed.) (2001). The Middle-Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya. Boston: Wisdom Publications. ISBN0-86171-072-X.
Rhys Davids, T.W. & William Stede (eds.) (1921-5). The Pali Text Society’s Pali–English Dictionary. Chipstead: Pali Text Society. Retrieved 2008-08-22 from "U. Chicago" at [7]
The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness, , translation of Khp 9 by the Amaravati Sangha
Readings and chants
Karaniya Metta Sutta read aloud (talking book) by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
Anandajoti reading the Mettasutta translation in English
Sangharakshita reads the Karaṇīyametta and Mahāmangala-suttas, together with other readings from the Pali Canon
Chandrabodhi chanting the Karaṇīyametta Sutta and other suttas in an 'Indian style'
Metta Sutta MP4
Essays
April 10, 2024
metta, sutta, mettā, sutta, name, used, buddhist, discourses, pali, sutta, found, pali, canon, more, often, chanted, theravadin, monks, also, referred, karaṇīyamettā, sutta, after, opening, word, karaṇīyam, this, what, should, done, found, suttanipāta, khuddak. The Metta Sutta is the name used for two Buddhist discourses Pali sutta found in the Pali Canon The one more often chanted by Theravadin monks is also referred to as Karaṇiyametta Sutta after the opening word Karaṇiyam This is what should be done 1 It is found in the Suttanipata Sn 1 8 and Khuddakapaṭha Khp 9 It is ten verses in length and it extols both the virtuous qualities and the meditative development of metta Pali traditionally translated as loving kindness 2 or friendliness 3 Additionally Thanissaro Bhikkhu s translation 4 goodwill underscores that the practice is used to develop wishes for unconditional goodwill towards the object of the wish The other also chanted by Theravadin Buddhist monks at times extols the benefits of the practice of metta Pali and it is found in the Anguttara Nikaya AN 11 15 is also referred to as Mettanisamsa Sutta This article will focus on the first version Contents 1 Background 2 Contents 3 Use 4 See also 5 Notes 6 Sources 7 External linksBackground editIn Theravada Buddhism s Pali Canon metta is one of the four divine abodes Pali brahmavihara recommended for cultivating interpersonal harmony and meditative concentration see for instance kammaṭṭhana In later canonical works such as the Cariyapiṭaka metta is one of ten perfections parami that facilitates the attainment of awakening Bodhi and is a prerequisite to attaining Buddhahood According to post canonical Sutta Nipata commentary the background story for the Metta Sutta is that a group of monks were frightened by the earth devas in the forest where the Buddha had sent them to meditate When the monks sought the Buddha s advice in dealing with the situation the Buddha taught the monks the Metta Sutta as an antidote to overcome their fear The monks recited the sutta and radiated loving kindness Their good will placated the earth devas to be at ease and stay quiet as well 5 6 Contents editThe Metta Sutta contains a number of recollections or recitations that promote the development of metta through virtuous characteristics and meditation The discourse identifies fifteen moral qualities and conditions conducive to the development of metta These include such qualities as being non deceptive uju sincere suju easy to correct suvaco gentle mudu and without arrogance anatimani 5 In terms of meditative development the discourse identifies an intentional wish that facilitates generating metta Pali sukhino va khemino hontu English May all beings be happy and safe a means for developing meditational objects a list of various sizes proximity etc for such a wish a metaphor of a mother s protective love for her only child for how one should cherish this meditation theme and guard it safely Note this is often indeed almost universally misinterpreted as a prototypical metaphor for the feeling we ought to cultivate toward others however this is not its intended meaning as explained by Thanissaro Bhikkhu in the article Metta Means Goodwill 7 a method for radiating metta outwards in all directions 8 Use editIt is often recited as part of religious services in the Theravada tradition but is also popular within the Mahayana tradition It has been reported that Buddhist monks chanted the Metta Sutta as part of their demonstration in September and October 2007 against the military in Burma 9 See also editBrahmavihara four divine abodes identified by the Buddha including metta Parami in Theravada Buddhism metta is one of noble character qualities generally associated with Enlightened beings Paritta Traditional Buddhist protective scriptures including this sutta Notes edit Translation from the excerpt at Metta Karaniya Metta Sutta Sn 1 8 Bodhi 2005a pp 90 131 134 passim Gethin 1998 pp 26 30 passim spelled as two words loving kindness Harvey 2007 pp 247 8 spelled without a hyphen lovingkindness Naṇamoli amp Bodhi 2001 pp 120 374 474 passim Salzberg 1995 passim without a hyphen Walshe 1995 p 194 Warder 2004 pp 63 94 Kamalashila 1996 Rhys Davids amp Stede 1921 25 p 540 entry for Metta retrieved 2008 08 22 from U Chicago at 1 Rhys Davids amp Stede s complete list of general translations is love amity sympathy friendliness active interest in others See also Gunaratana 2007 who uses loving friendliness based on the Pali word metta s being related to the Pali word mitta friend and that for Gunaratana kindness is more akin to the Buddhist notion of karuna compassion Metta Means Goodwill at accesstoinsight org a b See e g Bodhi 2005b Gunaratana 2007 Metta Means Goodwill See e g Bodhi 2005b amp 2005c Luisa PucciniSources editBodhi Bhikkhu 2005a In the Buddha s Words An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon Somerville MA Wisdom Publications ISBN 0 86171 491 1 Bodhi Bhikkhu April 9 2005b Sn 1 8 Metta Sutta Loving kindness part 1 lecture Retrieved from Bodhi Monastery at 2 mp3 Bodhi Bhikkhu April 23 2005c Sn 1 8 Metta Sutta Loving kindness part 2 lecture Retrieved from Bodhi Monastery at 3 mp3 Gethin Rupert 1998 The Foundations of Buddhism Oxford Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 289223 1 Gunaratana Henepola 2007 2007 Brahmavihara Retreat The Karaniyametta Sutta Introduction and Stanza One lecture Retrieved from Bhavana Society at 4 mp3 Harvey Peter 2007 An Introduction to Buddhism Teachings History and Practices Cambridge Cambridge University Press ISBN 0 521 31333 3 Kamalashila 1996 Meditation The Buddhist Art of Tranquility and Insight Birmingham Windhorse Publications ISBN 1 899579 05 2 Retrieveable from the author s personal web site at 5 Naṇamoli Bhikkhu trans amp Bhikkhu Bodhi ed 2001 The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha A Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya Boston Wisdom Publications ISBN 0 86171 072 X Piyadassi Thera ed trans 1999 The Book of Protection Paritta Kandy Buddhist Publication Society Retrieved 08 14 2008 from Access to Insight at 6 Rhys Davids T W amp William Stede eds 1921 5 The Pali Text Society s Pali English Dictionary Chipstead Pali Text Society Retrieved 2008 08 22 from U Chicago at 7 Salzberg Sharon 1995 Lovingkindness The Revolutionary Art of Happiness Boston Shambhala Publications ISBN 1 57062 176 4 Walshe Maurice 1995 The Long Discourses of the Buddha A Translation of the Digha Nikaya Somerville MA Wisdom Publications ISBN 0 86171 103 3 Warder A K 1970 reprinted 2004 Indian Buddhism Motilal Banarsidass Delhi ISBN 81 208 1741 9 External links editTranslations Loving kindness translation of Sn 1 8 by Laurence Khantipalo Mills Good Will translation of Sn 1 8 by Thanissaro Bhikkhu The Discourse on Friendliness Meditation translation of Khp 9 by Bhikkhu Anandajoti Loving Kindness translation of Khp 9 by Nanamoli Thera The Buddha s Words on Loving Kindness translation of Khp 9 by the Amaravati SanghaReadings and chants Karaniya Metta Sutta read aloud talking book by Thanissaro Bhikkhu Anandajoti reading the Mettasutta translation in English Sangharakshita reads the Karaṇiyametta and Mahamangala suttas together with other readings from the Pali Canon Chandrabodhi chanting the Karaṇiyametta Sutta and other suttas in an Indian style Metta Sutta MP4Essays An Analysis of the Mettasutta by Anandajoti Bhikkhu Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Metta Sutta amp oldid 1217527710, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
