Mettā Sutta - Sutta Nipāta

1.8. Loving-kindness

 

    What should be done by one
    who is skilled in wholesomeness,
    to gain the State of Peacefulness is this:
    One should be able, upright, straight and not proud,
    easy to speak to, mild and well content,

    easily satisfied and not caught up
    in too much bustle, and frugal in one’s ways,
    with senses calmed, intelligent, not bold,
    not being covetous when with other folk,

    not even doing little things that other wise ones blame.
    (And this the thought that one should always hold):
    “May beings all live happily and safe,
    and may their hearts rejoice within themselves.

    Whatever there may be with breath of life,
    whether they be frail or very strong,
    without exception, be they long or short,
    or middle-sized, or be big or small,

    or dense, or visible or invisible,
    or whether they dwell far or they dwell near,
    those that are here, those seeking to exist—
    may beings all rejoice within themselves.”

    Let no one bring about another’s ruin
    and not despise in any way or place;
    let them not wish each other any ill
    from provocation or from enmity.

    Just as a mother at the risk of life
    loves and protects her child, her only child,
    so one should cultivate this boundless love
    to all that live in the whole universe—

    extending from a consciousness sublime
    upwards and downwards and across the world,
    untroubled, free from hate and enmity.

    And while one stands and while one sits
    or when one lies down still free from drowsiness,
    one should be intent on this mindfulness—
    this is divine abiding here they say.

    But when one lives quite free from any view,
    is virtuous, with perfect insight won,
    and greed for selfish desires let go,
    one surely comes no more to be reborn.

 Metta Sutta