Sutta Nipāta 8

Anthology of Discourses 1.8

The Discourse on Love

1 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;

2 content and unburdensome,

unbusied, living lightly,

alert, with senses calmed,

courteous, not fawning on families.

3 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!

4 Whatever living creatures there are

with not a one left out—

frail or firm, long or large,

medium, small, tiny or round,

5 seen or unseen,

living far or near,

those who have been born

and those about to be born—

may all beings be happy!

6 Let none deceive another,

nor look down on anyone anywhere.

Though provoked or aggrieved,

let them not wish pain on each other.

7 Even as a mother would protect with her life

her child, her only child,

so too for all creatures

unfold a boundless heart.

8 With love for the whole world,

unfold a boundless heart:

above, below, all round,

unconstricted, without enmity or foe.

9 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.

10 Avoiding harmful views,

virtuous, accomplished in insight,

with desire for sensual pleasures dispelled,

they never return to a womb again.