This is What Should Be Done - The Amravati Sangha

Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha's Words on Loving-kindness

translated from the Pali by

The Amaravati Sangha

This is what should be done

By those who are skilled in goodness,

And who know 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 and 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 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 boundless heart

Should one cherish all living beings;

Radiating kindness over the entire world;

Spreading upward to the skies

And downward to the depths;

Outward and unbound,

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.

©1994 English Sangha Trust.

You may copy, reformat, reprint, republish, and redistribute this work in any medium whatsoever, provided that: (1) you only make such copies, etc. available free of charge; (2) you clearly indicate that any derivatives of this work (including translations) are derived from this source document; and (3) you include the full text of this license in any copies or derivatives of this work. Otherwise, all rights reserved. Documents linked from this page may be subject to other restrictions. From Chanting Book: Morning and Evening Puja and Reflections (Hemel Hempstead: Amaravati Publications, 1994). Used with permission of the English Sangha Trust, Ltd. Last revised for Access to Insight on 2 November 2013.

How to cite this document (a suggested style): "Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha's Words on Loving-kindness" (Khp 9), translated from the Pali by The Amaravati Sangha. Access to Insight (BCBS Edition), 2 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/khp/khp.9.amar.html .

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