Karaṇīya Mettā Sutta The Discourse on Loving-kindness

Karaṇīyam-attha-kusalena

yantaṃ santaṃ padaṃ abhisamecca,

This is to be done by one skilled in aims

Who wants to break through to the state of peace:

Sakko ujū ca suhujū ca

suvaco cassa mudu anatimānī,

Be capable, upright, & straightforward,

Easy to instruct, gentle, & not conceited,

Santussako ca subharo ca

appakicco ca sallahuka-vutti,

Content & easy to support, with few duties, living lightly,

Santindriyo ca nipako ca

appagabbho kulesu ananugiddho.

With peaceful faculties, masterful, modest, & no greed for supporters.

Na ca khuddaṃ samācare kiñci

yena viññū pare upavadeyyuṃ.

Do not do the slightest thing that the wise would later censure.

Sukhino vā khemino hontu

sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā.

Think: Happy & secure, may all beings be happy at heart.

Ye keci pāṇa-bhūtatthi

tasā vā thāvarā vā anavasesā,

Whatever beings there may be, weak or strong, without exception,

Dīghā vā ye mahantā vā

majjhimā rassakā aṇuka-thūlā,

Long, large, middling, short, subtle, blatant,

Diṭṭhā vā ye ca adiṭṭhā

ye ca dūre vasanti avidūre,

Seen or unseen, near or far,

Bhūtā vā sambhavesī vā

sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā.

Born or seeking birth: May all beings be happy at heart.

Na paro paraṃ nikubbetha

nātimaññetha katthaci naṃ kiñci,

Let no one deceive another or despise anyone anywhere,

Byārosanā paṭīgha-saññā

nāññam-aññassa dukkham-iccheyya.

Or through anger or resistance wish for another to suffer.

Mātā yathā niyaṃ puttaṃ

āyusā eka-puttam-anurakkhe,

As a mother would risk her life to protect her child, her only child,

Evam-pi sabba-bhūtesu

māna-sambhāvaye aparimāṇaṃ.

Even so should one cultivate a limitless heart with regard to all beings.

Mettañca sabba-lokasmiṃ

māna-sambhāvaye aparimāṇaṃ,

With good will for the entire cosmos, cultivate a limitless heart:

Uddhaṃ adho ca tiriyañca

asambādhaṃ averaṃ asapattaṃ.

Above, below, & all around, unobstructed, without enmity or hate.

Tiṭṭhañ'caraṃ nisinno vā

sayāno vā yāvatassa vigatam-iddho,

Whether standing, walking, sitting, or lying down,

as long as one is alert,

Etaṃ satiṃ adhiṭṭheyya

brahmam-etaṃ vihāraṃ idham-āhu.

One should be resolved on this mindfulness.

This is called a sublime abiding here & now.

Diṭṭhiñca anupagamma

sīlavā dassanena sampanno,

Not taken with views, but virtuous & consummate in vision,

Kāmesu vineyya gedhaṃ,

Na hi jātu gabbha-seyyaṃ punaretīti.

Having subdued desire for sensual pleasures,

One never again will lie in the womb.