Karaniya Metta Sutta

The Karaniya Metta Sutta. The Buddha’s Words on Loving Kindness in English:

 

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,

Straight forward and gentle in speech.

Humble and not conceited,

Contented and easily satisfied.

 

Not busy 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 happy.

 

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 happy,

 

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 false views,

The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision,

Being freed from all sense desires,

Is not born again into this world.