The Metta Sutra - words to live by

excerpt and translation from Sit Down and Shut Up!

This is what should be accomplished by the one who is wise, who seeks the good and has obtained peace:

Let one be strenuous, upright and sincere, without pride easily contented and joyous;

Let one not be submerged by the things of the world; 

Let one not take upon oneself the burden of riches;

Let one's senses be controlled;

Let one be wise but not puffed up;

Let one not desire great possessions even for one's family;

Let one do nothing that is mean or that the wise would reprove.

May all beings by happy.

May they be joyous and live in safety.

All living beings, whether weak or strong, in high or middle or low realms of existence, small or great, visible or invisible, near or far, born or to be born, may all beings be happy.

Let no one deceive another, nor despise any being in any state; let none by anger or hatred wish harm to another.

Even as a mother at the risk of her life watches over and protects her only child, so with boundless mind should one cherish all living things, suffusing love over the entire world, above, below and all around without limit; so let one cultivate an infinite goodwill toward the whole world. 

Standing or walking, sitting or lying down, during all one's waking hours let one cherish the thought that this way of living is the best in the world.

Abandoning vain discussion, having a clear vision, freed from sense appetites, one who is made perfect will never again know rebirth in the cycle of creation of suffering for ourselves or for others.

--according to Brad Warner, in Sit Down and Shut Up, this is the sutra " where all the stuff you hear in Buddhist books and magazines about 'loving-kindness' comes from. (pages 95-96)

I think it's a beautiful sutra worth spending lots of meditation time on, one line at a time...

Hope you have a chance to really appreciate its beauty. :-)

Have a great day.