Mettābhāvanā Sutta

 

This was said by the Exalted One,

This was spoken by the Arahant,

As I have heard:

 

“Monks,

Whatever vehicle or ground there is for producing goodness,

And for the generation of acquisitions, [1]

All of these are not worth one sixteenth

Of the liberation of the mind through Boundless Love.

 

Radiant, blazing and shining forth,

The liberation of the mind,

Through Boundless Love,

Surpasses them.

 

[The Moon]

 

Monks,

just like whatever radiance there is from the stars,

All of it is not worth one sixteenth of the moon’s radiance,

Radiant, blazing and shining forth,

The moon’s radiance surpasses them.

 

In the same way,

Whatever vehicle or ground there is for producing goodness,

And for the generation of acquisitions

 

All of these are not worth one sixteenth

Of the liberation of the mind through Boundless Love.

 

Radiant, blazing and shining forth,

The liberation of the mind,

Through Boundless Love,

Surpasses them.

 

[After the Monsoon]

 

Monks,

Just like in the last month of the monsoon season, in autumn,

When the sky is clear and the rain clouds have passed,

The sun rises above the dark mass,

 

Radiant, blazing and shining forth.

Winning over all of space,

Winning over darkness,

And driving it away,

 

In the same way,

Whatever vehicle or ground there is for producing goodness,

And for the generation of acquisitions;

 

All of these are not worth one sixteenth

Of the liberation of the mind through Boundless Love.

 

Radiant, blazing and shining forth.

The liberation of the mind,

Through Boundless Love,

Surpasses them.

 

[The Morning Star]

 

Monks,

Just like at the end of the night,

The morning star;

Radiates, blazes and shines forth.

 

In the same way,

Whatever vehicle or ground there is for producing goodness,

And for the generation of acquisitions;

 

All of these are not worth one sixteenth

Of the liberation of the mind through Boundless Love.

 

Radiant, blazing and shining forth.

The liberation of the mind,

Through Boundless Love,

Surpasses them.”

 

This is the meaning of what the Awakened One said.

Further, he said:

 

“For one who develops [the feeling] of Love,

With boundless presence;

The fetters wear away,

One can witness the ending of acquisitions.

 

Having an unspoiled mind towards one being,

Lovingly, there is goodness therein.

But having a compassionate mind towards all beings,

The Ariya generates an abundance of merit.

 

Even when, having conquered this earth,

Filled with the living,

The virtuous king sets out performing offerings; [2]

Horse offerings, men offerings,

Food offerings, money offerings,

Unobstructed;

 

He does not partake in one sixteenth,

Of a mind well-developed in Boundless Love.

Like the moon’s radiance is to the stars.

 

One who does not kill nor causes to kill,

Who does not conquer nor causes to conquer.

With a heart of Love towards all living beings,

In such person, anger cannot be found.”[3]

This is also what was spoken by the Exalted One, as I have heard.