Metta Sutta

 

This was said by the Exalted One,

spoken by the Arahant,

As I have heard:

 

“Do not be afraid of merit monks!” [1]

 

Merit is an expression

for what is desirable,

lovely,

delightful,

beneficial

and blissful. 

 

For a long time monks,

I have directly experienced desirable,

lovely,

delightful,

beneficial

and blissful results

of often performing deeds of merit. [2]

 

 

[Because of] seven years spent

cultivating a heart of Boundless Love;

 

For seven aeons of contraction and expansion,

I was not led back [down] into this world. [3]

 

When the Aeon collapsed,

I reached the plane of streaming radiance. [4]

When the Aeon revolved open again,

I appeared in an empty Brahmic plane. [5]

 

There I was Brāhma,

the Majestic Brāhma,

Legendary,

Unequaled,

Omniscient,

and Almighty. [6]

 

Thirty-six times I became Sakka,

Also known as Indra,

the king of the Devas.

 

Countless hundreds of lives

I was a wheel-turning,

vision-wielding,

righteous king of Dhamma

Ruling [by goodness] over the 4 continents.

 

I established stability over the land,

And I was graced by the seven treasures. [7]

 

What to say then

of mere leadership over regional kingdoms.

 

It occurred to me to ponder:

“To what action of mine is this the fruit?

To what action of mine is this the result?

That I have become so powerful,

of such significant influence?”

 

And it occurred to me:

“It is the fruit of three things,

It results from three things, that is:

Giving,

Self-mastery,

And thoughtfulness. [8]

 

Then he further said this:

 

“One should train in bright actions,

Which yield enduring happiness; [9]

Philanthropy, calmness

and developing a loving mind. [10]

 

Developed in these qualities,

The three sources of happiness, [11]

The sage steadily walks forth,

In an untroubled and happy world. [12]

 

This is what the Buddha said,

As I have heard it.