What did the buddha say about lovingkindness meditation. Karaniya metta sutta the buddhas words on loving kindness if you are mindful and desire to breakthrough to a state of perfect peace, then this is the teaching for you. The buddha said that he would become a silent buddha in future. How to apply the buddhas metta lovingkindness sutta in. The lovingkindness sutta sings out the heart of the practice. Let one be capable, upright, exceedingly upright, easy to speak to, gentle, and humble. The pali commentators define metta as the strong wish for the welfare and happiness of others parahita parasukha kamana. Metta is universal loving kindness with no strings attached. Lovingkindness series 2018 white hall meditationwhite hall.
L oving kindness is the most common translation of the pali word metta and its a major component of buddhist practice. It starts by blessing oneself and gradually expands outward from there, eventually wishing good intentions for the entire world and all beings, even our enemies. Burmese novice reading the buddhist book inside ancient temple in. Loving kindness metta in theravada buddhism drarisworld. The karaniya metta sutta in pali and english pdf version. It is sourced in buddhist tradition, yet versions of it are found in many spiritual traditions, including judaism and celtic christianity. All of this will delight the reader who is interested in better understanding the traditional texts.
Cultivating friendliness and goodwill is an important partner to mindfulness meditation. After extensive and intensive practice in vipassanamindfulnessinsight meditation in australia and myanmar, his teacher venerable chanmyay sayadaw. One recites specific words and phrases evoking a boundless warmhearted feeling. The monks went back to the forest, and practicing the instruction conveyed, permeated the whole atmosphere with their. Metta loving kindness metta is commonly termed lovingkindness, universal love or unconditional love. The practice of metta kindle edition by gunaratana, henepola. After extensive and intensive practice in vipassanamindfulnessinsight meditation in australia and myanmar, his teacher venerable chanmyay.
This page was created from the metta sutta pages by andy olendzki that were formerly at the bcbs web site. Metta meditation lovingkindness practice metta is the pali term for unconditional friendliness or lovingkindness, and is a form of blessingmeditation practice. Although it purports to be about metta translated from the pali as lovingkindness, both what. Metta bhavana loving kindness meditation venerable dhammarakkhita venerable dhammarakkhita is an australian buddhist monk of the myanmar th eravada tradition. Book of protection discourse on lovingkindness buddhanet. The pali word metta is a multi significant term meaning loving kindness, friendliness, goodwill, benevolence, fellowship, amity, concord, inoffensiveness and non violence. How to teach children lovingkindness meditation sharon. The pali word metta is a multisignificant term meaning lovingkindness, friendliness, goodwill, benevolence, fellowship, amity, concord, inoffensiveness and nonviolence. Let them be able and upright, straightforward and gentle in speech. Metta, or lovingkindness, is one of the most important buddhist practices. Metta sutta karaniya metta sutta metta loving kindness is one of the four immeasurables or four divine states of buddhism.
In the tripitaka, the buddha taught the karaniya metta sutta which is a beautiful sutra explaining how lovingkindness should be practiced and is often chanted in the theravadin buddhist monasteries. Quite simply, it is the practice of directing positive thoughts and well wishes to ourselves and others. Jan 26, 2017 the teaching is called the metta sutta or, lovingkindness discourse. Here are some of our favorite quotes on lovingkindness. Metta lovingkindness meditation, script and teachings. It is kindness at its purest and strongest, a loving response to all life. The pali commentators define metta as the strong wish for the welfare and happiness of others parahitaparasukhakamana. An introduction to loving kindness july 26, 2018 james ford patheos explore the worlds faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality. On the fullmoon day of wagaung, the buddha taught the monks the metta sutta. The basic framework is most accessibly in my opinion outlined in chapter 9 of buddhaghosas visuddhimagga pali.
The revolutionary art of happiness by sharon salzberg, real happiness, 10th anniversary edition. The mettabhavana is a meditation many of you may be familiar with. The practice of metta by bhante henepola gunaratana isbn. This is a version for easy printing you can also read and listen along here. In loving kindness in plain english bhante gunaratana provides a clear and thoughtful elucidation of the karaniya metta sutta, as well as other discourses that give guidance on practicing metta lovingkindness. The buddhas words on lovingkindness, translation of khp 9 by the amaravati sangha. This beautiful book not only expertly guides us in cultivating loving kindness, it is the transmission of an awakened heart. Awareness as developed through mindfulness practice leads to clarity, insight and understanding. Here is the karaniya metta sutta the buddhas words on lovingkindness in pali an ancient indian language for which im afraid ive lost some of the diacritics, followed by an english translation by ratnaprabha.
As a mother watches over her child, willing to risk her own life to protect her only child, so with a boundless heart should one cherish all living beings, radiating kindness over the entire world standing or walking, sitting or lying down, during all ones waking hours, may one remain mindful of this heart, and this way of living, that is. The discourse on loving kindness belonging to the sutta nipata of the khuddaka nikaya, the buddha has again elaborated the extent of limitless love expressed in loving kindness with the analogy of the love of a mother towards her only child. Loving kindness is a profound recognition that our lives have something to do with one another that everyone counts, everyone matters. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Share on facebook this is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness and who knows the path of peace. The metta sutta is the buddhas key teaching on loving kindness. Karaniya metta sutta read aloud talking book by thanissaro bhikkhu. We begin with our self and gradually extend the wish for wellbeing happiness to all beings.
The metta sutta is a beautiful example of how we can bring lovingkindness to difficult beings and. Jul 12, 2015 the loving kindness sutra, music by indiajiva, spoken and sung by ayya yeshe, australian tibetan buddhist nun, from the album, dakini buddhist chants in praise of the sacred feminine. In fact, the metta sutta is one of the buddhas most important teachings. Essentially metta is an altruistic attitude of love and friendliness. Rahula, the buddha, and ananda thai art the following is an edited, interpretive translation of the famous discourse on loving kindness by the western theravada monk ven. Lovingkindness is a translation of the pali word metta, which is the first of the brahmaviharas, or the heavenly abodes. The monks ran back to the buddha and told him of the experience. Listen to natalies talk about the sutta, and heres joes chanting of the pali as a. In this article on lovingkindness metta well dive into. Metta as compassion meditation is often practiced in asia by broadcast chanting, wherein monks chant for the laity. This is where the buddha offered his monks the practice of metta, encouraging them to offer loving kindness to these evil spirits. In lucid, accessible prose, gunaratana mindfulness in plain.
To practice lovingkindness meditation, sit in a comfortable and relaxed manner. The metta sutta is the buddhas discourse on developing and sustaining loving kindness. The remedy for lust is the contemplation of ugliness in the body as in the satipattana sutta digha nikaya sutta 22 and majjhima nikaya sutta 10. The teaching is called the metta sutta or, lovingkindness discourse.
Discourse on lovingkindness karaniya metta sutta 1. Within a few seconds i felt an overwhelming wave of joy. Here, in the words of seven experienced meditators, is a wealth of instruction and advice to. Mindful presence and loving kindness are essential to living a spiritual life. It explains not only what loving kindness is but what. Lovingkindness meditation does far more than produce momentary good feelings. The characteristic of lovingkindness is to promote wellbeing. Over a nine week period, research showed that this type of meditation increased peoples experiences of positive emotions. The first part lines 3 to 10 covers that aspect which requires a thorough and systematic application of loving kindness in ones daytoday conduct. Jan 01, 1995 a profound, yet simple book on practicing metta, or lovingkindness by sharon salzberg, the founder of insight meditation society. It explains not only what loving kindness is but what the benefits to practicing loving kindness are and how to do it. This is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness and who wishes to attain the state of peace and wisdom nirvana.
This man turned out to be a buddhist monk named matthieu ricard and he has been practicing metta loving kindness meditation for years. The pali word metta maitri in sanskrit means universal lovingkindness, friendliness, and goodwill free from expectation and possessiveness. The other three are compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. Metta is defined as the sincere and genuine wish for the welfare and genuine happiness of all living beings without exception, and without any selfish motive or expectation. Lovingkindness quotes lovingkindness, or metta, is an important part of the buddhist path.
Also called metta or compassion meditation, lovingkindness meditation is one of the most commonly practiced types of meditations out there. Lovingkindness or metta cannot be cultivated by mere repetition of words of lovingkindness. That is the kind of lovingkindness, guided by mindfulness, that allows us to live in peace and harmony. There are many variations and translations of this prayer, but what follows is the essence of it. Metta bhavana lovingkindness meditation venerable dhammarakkhita venerable dhammarakkhita is an australian buddhist monk of the myanmar th eravada tradition. With lovingkindness for the whole world should one cultivate a boundless heart, above, below, and all around. It is the result of understanding, patience, and loving kindness. In addition to simple and perhaps personal and creative forms of metta practice, there is a classic and systematic approach to metta as an intensive meditation practice. The buddhist loving kindness meditation script metta meditation script is a prayer or simply words that we use for developing kindness and compassion. You can either use the same phrases, repeating them again and again, or make up phrases that better represent the loving kindness you feel toward these beings.
Most simply, metta is the heartfelt wish for the wellbeing of oneself and others. This is one of my most favorite sutra of all, because i believe this sutra expressed the essence of buddhism very well. The metta sutta, or sutra of loving kindness, is one of the most beloved. The monks went back to the forest, and practicing the instruction conveyed, permeated the whole atmosphere with their radiant thoughts of metta or loving kindness. 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. Buddha taught, eleven advantages are to be expected from the release deliverance of heart by familiarizing oneself with thoughts of lovingkindness metta, by the cultivation of lovingkindness, by constantly increasing these thoughts, by regarding lovingkindness as a vehicle of expression, and also as something to be treasured, by.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Bhante g stresses in his book that first thing to do, is relax. This silent retreat will focus on cultivating the quality of loving kindness metta in pali, infusing our hearts, minds and bodies with a strong caring wisdom. The development of metta is a traditional meditation practice that can help us to transform our emotional life into one consistently based on love. It is one of the most important buddhist meditations for beginners the technical, buddhist name for this meditation technique is metta bhavana, metta meaning compassion and bhavana meaning.
The practice of metta meditation is a beautiful support to other awareness practices. In this ground breaking book of the practical and the profound, jayan reveals how sacred wisdom can be integrated into our busy lives. The lovingkindness he spoke of then is still the deepest need of the world today. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or.
With each recitation of the phrases, we are expressing an intention, planting the seeds of loving wishes over and over in our heart. Anandajoti reading the mettasutta translation in english. So the buddha advised them to recite the text of loving kindness metta sutta and to radiate the spirit of love to all beings. Path of purification, dating back to the 5th century ce. Lovingkindness, translation of khp 9 by nanamoli thera. Not caught up in too many duties and frugal in ones wants. The compassion and universal loving kindness concept of metta is discussed in the metta sutta of buddhism, and is also found in the ancient and medieval texts of hinduism and jainism as metta or maitri. With loving kindness for the whole world should one cultivate a boundless heart, above, below, and all around. Share on facebook this is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness and who knows the path of. How loving kindness meditation works metta meditation is a practice of concentration. And toward the whole world one should develop loving. Lovingkindness, listed ninth in the traditional list of the 10 perfections of the heart also known as the paramitas is described as the heart fully awake in friendliness, compassion, and empathic joy. The others sharon salzberg has practiced buddhist meditation for many years, so the book provides much information about buddhism. A few actual quotes from the progress reports from this years online retreats with david johnson i was able to generate loving kindness and radiate the feeling to my spiritual friend.
The word metta is a pali word that means, loving kindness. Apr 06, 2017 lovingkindness meditation metta challenges us to send love and compassion to the difficult people in our lives, including ourselves. In lovingkindness in plain english bhante gunaratana provides a clear and thoughtful elucidation of the karaniya metta sutta, as well as other discourses that give guidance on practicing metta lovingkindness. Lovingkindness is defined in english dictionaries as a feeling of benevolent affection, but in buddhism, lovingkindness in pali, metta. The buddhist tv, karaniya metta sutta, loving kindness language sinhalese. With a loving heart as the background, all that we attempt, all that we encounter will open.
I can appreciate why this book has become a classic in its circles. Loving kindness meditation does far more than produce momentary good feelings. In the discourse on the benefits of lovingfriendliness metta nisamsa sutta, the buddha lists 11 benefits derived from practicing mettaand i might add that many of these benefits are being confirmed by contemporary scientific research. It is a fundamental teaching in buddhism and one that is often used as an introduction to the spiritual practice. It was like my spiritual friend was radiating metta back to me. We can all benefit from the four ideas of lovingkindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity, whether or not we choose to meditate. Loving kindness meditation script, howto, benefits 2020. The practice of loving kindness, or metta, can be done in one of two ways. This cultivation of loving kindness is an essential part of buddhism. This cultivation of lovingkindness is an essential part of buddhism.
The metta sutta consists of three parts, each of which focuses on a distinct aspect of metta. A recording of the buddhist society of western australia beautifully chanting the karaniya metta sutta can be listened to here. To reach the state of peace one skilled in the good. Here you will find some prominent sutrassuttas about the practice of metta meditation. This meditation uses words, images, and feelings to evoke a lovingkindness and friendliness toward oneself and others. The teachings of the buddha were transmitted orally from generation to generation for nearly five centuries before monks in sri lanka wrote them down in 29 b. If you are working on improving your ratio of positive to negative emotions, start with metta. From that day till now, the fullmoon day of wagaung has been called as the great or grand occasion of metta. Loving kindness is defined in english dictionaries as a feeling of benevolent affection, but in buddhism, loving kindness in pali, metta. You can read the karinaya metta sutta, the buddhas words on lovingkindness, or learn a bit more about what metta is.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading lovingkindness in plain english. In it, sangharakshita, a teacher of buddhism for over fifty years, shows us how to cultivate many of the facets of kindness in ordinary, everyday life. Jun 14, 2016 this is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness, and who knows the path of peace. In the presence of love a metta and qigong retreat. Living with kindness is a pithy commentary on the buddhas teaching of metta in the karaniya metta sutta. You may copy, reformat, reprint, republish, and redistribute this work in any medium whatsoever, provided that. The following is a basic set of instructions from the book the issue at hand. With mindfulness, loving kindness, and selfcompassion, we can begin to let go of our expectations about how life and those we love should be. Love loving kindness good will friendliness may you find some insight reading these sutras. Thereon the buddha instructed them in the metta sutta and advised their return equipped with this sutta for their protection.
While the buddha was staying at savatthi, a band of monks, having received subjects of meditation. The practice of metta meditation is the systematic cultivation of our capacity for lovingkindness. The strength of this feeling is not limited to or by family, religion, or social class. The buddhist metta lovingkindness prayer is simple but profound.
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