The Discourse On Loving Kindness

 

The Discourse On Loving Kindness

He who is skilled in doing good

And who wishes to attain that state of calm (Nibbana)

Should act thus

He should be able, upright, perfectly upright

Obedient, gentle and humble

Contented, easily supportable

With few duties,

Simple in livelihood

Controlled in senses, discreet, not impudent

Not greedily attached to families

He should not commit any slight wrong

So that other wise men might deplore

May all beings be happy and safe

May their hearts be happy

Whatsoever living beings that exist

Weak, or strong, without exception

Long, stout or medium

Short, small or large

Those seen or unseen

And those dwelling far or near

Those who are born and those who are to be born

May all beings, without exception, be happy minded

Let no one deceive another

Nor despise anyone anywhere

In anger or ill will

Let them not wish each other harm

Just as a mother would guard her only child

At the risk of her own life

Even so towards all beings

Let him cultivate boundless mind

Let thoughts of boundless love pervade the whole world

Above, below and across

Without any obstruction

Without any hatred, without any enmity

Whether he stands, walks, sits

Or lies down, as long as he is awake

He should develop this mindfulness

This they say is the Highest conduct here

Not falling into wrong views

Virtuous and endowed with vision with insight

He discards attachment to sensuous desires

Truly, he does not come again,

To be conceived in a womb

By the firm determination of this truth

May I ever be well

By the firm determination of this truth

May I be free from illness

By the firm determination of this truth

May peaceful victory be mine!