Over the years, I have collected many wonderful translation of the Metta Sutta, the Buddha’s sutta (sutra) on loving-kindness. But of all of them, I believe this one, from the Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, is my favorite. I have it printed out and taped to my wall, and I often turn to it for inspiration. I also work with it in my “formal” sitting and walking metta meditation practice.

After the Metta Sutta, I am also sharing the beautiful music of Tibetan flute player and composer Nawang Khechog. This artist’s music conveys great depth and spirituality, and his piece “Healing through Kindness” seems especially appropriate here. I highly recommend his aptly named albumMusic As Medicine (With Special Guest Artist R. Carlos Nakai).

I share these dharma gifts here for your inspiration and support in your own path of loving-kindness! May the hearts of all beings be filled with happiness and peace! May all being be safe and secure!

♡♡♡

The Karaniya Metta Sutta

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 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 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 vews,

The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision,

Being freed from all sense-desires,

Is not born again into this world.

“Healing through Kindness” by Nawang Khechog from Music As Medicine (With Special Guest Artist R. Carlos Nakai) https://mettarefuge.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/healing-through-kindness.mp3

♡♡♡

37.871593 -122.272747