Cyber Puja -- Devotion
SUTTA RECITAL
KARANIYA METTA SUTTA (LOVING KINDNESS)
He who is skill in his good / and who wishes to attain /
that state
of calm / should act thus : /
He should be able, / upright, / perfectly
upright, / obedient, / gentle, / and humble.
Contented, / easily supportable, / with few duties, / of light
livelihood, /
controlled in senses, / discreet, / not imprudent, / not be
greedily attached to families.
He should not / commit any slight wrong, / such that other wise men / might censure him. / May all beings be happy and secure./ May their minds be wholesome.
Whatever living beings there be : / feeble or strong, / long, stout or
medium, /
short, small or large, / seen or unseen, / 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 not one / deceive another / nor despise any person / whatever / in
any place. /
In anger or ill will, / let him not wish / any harm to
another.
Just as a mother / would protect her only child, / even at the risk of
her own life, /
even so / let him cultivate a boundless heart / towards all
beings.
Let his 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 mindfulness. / This, they say, / is the Highest
Conduct.
Not falling into error, / virtuous and endowed with insight, /
he
gives up attachment to sense-desires.
/ He will surely not be born / in any
womb again.
Return to
Cyber Puja - Reflection on Dhammapada
Thus have I heard :
On one occasion / the Exalted One / was dwelling at the monastery / of
Anathapindika, /
in Jeta's Grove, / near Savatthi./ Now / when the night was
far spent, / a certain deity, /
whose surpassing splendour / illuminated the
entire Jeta Grove, / came to the presence /
of the Exalted One, / and, /
drawing near, / respectfully saluted Him /
and stood at one side. / Standing
thus, / he addressed the Exalted One in verse :
Many deities and men, / yearning after good, / have pondered on
Blessings. / Pray, /
tell me the Highest Blessing!
Not to associate with fools, / to associate with the wise, / and to
honour those /
who are worthy of honour / - this is the Highest
Blessing.
To reside / in a suitable locality, / to have done meritorious actions
/ in the past, /
and to set oneself / in the right course / - this is the
Highest Blessing.
Vast-learning, / perfect handicraft, / a highly trained discipline, /
and pleasant speech /
- this is the Highest Blessing.
The support of father and mother, / the cherishing of wife and
children, /
and peaceful occupations / - this is the Highest
Blessing.
Liberality, / righteous conduct, / the helping of relatives, / and
blameless action /
- this is the Highest Blessing.
To cease / and abstain from evil, / forbearance / with respect to
intoxicants, /
and steadfastness in virtue / - this is the Highest
Blessing.
Reverence, / humility, / contentment, / gratitude /
and the
opportune hearing of the Dhamma / - this is the Highest
Blessing.
Patience, / obedience, / sight of the Samanas (Sanctified Ones), /
and religious discussions / at due seasons / - this is the Highest
Blessing.
Self-control, / Holy life, / perception of the Noble Truths, /
and
the realization of Nibbana / - this is the Highest
Blessing.
He whose mind does not flutter / by contact with worldly contingencies,
/
Sorrow less, Stainless, and Secure / - this is the Highest
Blessing.
To them, / fulfilling matters / such as these, / everywhere invincible,
/
in every way moving happily / - these are the Highest
Blessings.