Once the Buddha was residing at Jetavana Monastery in Savatthi to spend the Rain’s retreat. Five hundred monks requested the Buddha to teach them on the subject of meditation.

After that the monks went to a distant forest, near Mt. Himavanta during the rainy season. They took shelter under huge trees as temporary residence and were engaged intensively in the practice of meditation.

By the virtuous power of the monks, the tree-deities were unable to live at the top of trees. So they were waiting for the return of their place, but they knew that the monks would continuously engage themselves in the practice of meditation without returning back to their monasteries.

At night the tree-sprits tried to frighten them by appearing in fearful forms and making frightful sounds. Consequently the monks decided that the place was not suitable for the practice of meditation.

They returned to the Buddha and informed Him about their difficulties and requested for another place for meditation. The Buddha instructed them to return to the same forest and taught them to recite the discourse on loving kindness and radiate it to all living beings.

The tree spirits were very much pleased with the monks’ recitation and requested them to stay there. From then on the monks meditated peacefully without any further disturbances. They also received the affectionate care and respect from the tree-spirits.

Finally, all the monks realized perfect emancipation and became the Worthy Ones (Arahants).

This Discourse is found in the Khuddaka-patha and Sutta-nipata and it is normally used to radiate loving kindness towards all beings so that they are well and happy.

Karaniyam-attakusalena,
yanta santam padam abhisamecca;
sakko uju ca suhuju ca,
suvaco cassa mudu anatimani.

He who wants to penetrate the state of perfect peace (Nibbana) and is skilled in his goodness, should practice the three kinds of training. He should be capable, upright, very upright, obedient, gentle and not conceited.

Santussako ca subharo ca,
appa kicco ca sallahuka vutti;
santindriyo ca nipako ca,
appagabbho kulesva-nanugiddho.

He should be contented, easily taken care of, having few activities, leading a life of thrift, and be controlled in his senses; he should be wise and not impudent and not be selfishly attached to people who have families.

Na ca khuddha-macare kinci,
yena vinnu pare upavadeyyum;
sukhino va khemino hontu,
sabbasatta bhavantu sukhitatta.

He should not commit even the slightest wrong, for which he might have been blamed by the wise. May all beings be happy and safe. May they be cheerful.

Ye keci panabhutatthi,
tasa va thavara va-navasesa;
digha va ye va mahanta,
majjhima rassaka anuka thula.

Whatsoever living beings there be, weak or strong, long or big or medium or short, thin or fat.

Dittha va ye va adittha,
ye va dure vasanti avidure;
bhuta va sambhavesi va,
sabbasatta bhavantu sukhitatta.

Those, beings seen or unseen, those dwelling far or near, those who are already born or who are to be born, may all beings be entirely happy.

Na paro param nikubbetha,
natimannetha katthaci na kanci;
byarosana patighasanna,
nanna mannassa dukkha miccheyya.

Let one not mislead another nor despise any one in any place. Let him not wish any harm to another by misdeed, bad speech and ill will.

Mata yatha niyamputta-
mayusa ekaputta manurakkhe;
evampi sabbabhutesu;
manasam bhavaye aparimanam

Just as a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life even so let him cultivate a boundless love in his heart towards all beings.

Mettanca sabbalokasmi,
manasam bhavaye aparimanam;
uddham adho ca tiriyanca,
asambadham averamasapattam

Let his thoughts of boundless love pervade the whole world-above, below and across; without restrictions, free of hate and free of enmity.

Tittham caram nisinno va,
sayano yavatassa vita-middho;
etam satim adhittheyya,
brahma metam vihara-midha-mahu.

Whether he is standing, walking, sitting or lying down, as long as he is awake he should develop this mindfulness of loving kindness. It was stated by the Buddhas as the Noblest Living in the Dispensation of the Buddha.

Ditthinca anupaggamma,
silava dassanena sampanno;
kamesu vinaya gedham,
na hi jatuggabbhaseyya puna-reti.

Not falling into wrong views, being virtuous and endowed with the first noble path, and discarding the attachment to sensual desires, he will definitely not be born again in this world.

Metta Suttam Nitthitam

Here ends the Discourse on the Loving Kindness.