Those who are skilled in the meaning of scripture should practice as follows to realize the state of peace. Let them be capable and upright, very upright, easy to speak to, gentle and humble;
content and unburdensome, unbusied, living lightly, alert, with senses calmed, courteous, not fawning on families.
Let them not do the slightest thing that others who are wise would blame. May they be happy and safe! May all beings be happy!
Whatever living creatures there are with not a one left out—frail or firm, long or large, medium, small, tiny or round,
seen or unseen, living far or near, those who have been born and those about to be born—may all beings be happy!
Let none deceive another, nor look down on anyone anywhere. Though provoked or aggrieved, let them not wish pain on each other.
Even as a mother would protect with her life her child, her only child, so too for all creatures unfold a boundless heart.
With love for the whole world, unfold a boundless heart: above, below, all round, unconstricted, without enmity or foe.
When standing, walking, sitting, or lying down while yet unweary, keep this ever in mind; for this, they say, is a divine meditation in this life.
Avoiding harmful views, virtuous, accomplished in insight, with desire for sensual pleasures dispelled, they never return to a womb again.
The Discourse on Love
Kp 9 · Mettasutta
Connections
Collection & context
- KhuddakapāṭhaThe collection containing this text
- The Pāli canonCanonical collection in which this edition is preserved
- Theravāda traditionsTransmission and study context
- The early Buddhist communityHistorical and traditional setting
Books
- Handful of Leaves: an Anthology from the Sutta PiṭakaEarly Buddhist discourses; Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (translator and compiler) · Included in anthology
- On the Path: An Anthology on the Noble Eightfold Path drawn from the Pāli CanonṬhānissaro Bhikkhu · Referenced in this book
About this edition
Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0
This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.
Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.
The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.