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Some 500 monks who went into the jungle to practice meditation were disturbed and frightened by animals and social people, whereupon they returned and reported the matter to the Buddha. The Buddha then advised the monks to go back to the same place but armed with the sword of Metta (Loving-kindness) for their protection. The Buddha then delivered this Sutta to teach them how to practice this loving-kindness.

The monks returned to the jungle and radiated their loving-kindness to animals and social people and thereafter they continued with their meditation without any hindrance. These same animals and social sprits who had earlier created disturbances, later repented and paid their respects to the monks.

This is, therefore, an important Sutta for the devotees to recite to radiate their loving-kindness to every living being. By doing so they can overcome any disturbances, find peace and happiness for themselves and help others to live peacefully by practicing this great virtue.

Pali

English Translation

Karaniya mattha-kusalena Yantam santam padam abhi-samecca Sakko uju ca suju ca Suvaco cassa mudu anatimani

He who is skilled in what is good

And who wishes to attain that state of calm

Should act thus. He should be able, upright,

Obedient, gentle and humble.

Santussako ca subharo ca

Appa-kicco ca sallahuka-vutti

Santindriyo ca nipako ca

Appa-gabbho kulesu ananu giddho

Contented, easily supportable with few duties,

Of right livelihood, controlled in senses,

Discreet, not imprudent, Not to be greedily attached to families

Naca khuddham samacare kinci

Yena vinnu pare upava-deyyum

Sukhino va khemino hontu

Sabbe satta bhavantu sukhi-tatta

He should not commit any slight wrong

Such that other wise men might censure him.

And he should think:

May all beings be happy and secure;

May their hearts be happy!

Ye keci pana bhu-tatthi

Tasava thavara va anava sesa

Digha va ye mahanta va

Majjhima rassa kanuka thula

Whatever living beings there are —

Feeble or strong, long, stout or medium,

Short, small or large, seen or unseen,

Dittha va yeva addittha

Ye ca dure vasanti avidure

Bhuta va sambhavesi va

Sabbe satta bhavantu sukhi-tatta

Those dwelling far or near, Those who are born and those who are to be born

May all beings, without exception,

Be happy-minded.

Na paro param nikubbetha

Nati-mannetha katthaci nam kanci

Byaro-sana patigha-sanna

Nanna-mannassa dukkha-miccheyya

Let no one neither deceive another Nor despise any person whatever in any place, Either in anger or in ill will, Let one not wish any harm to another.

Mata yatha niyam puttam

Ayusa eka-putta-manu rakkhe

Evampi sabba-bhutesu

Manasam-bhavaye apari-manam

Just as a mother would protect her only child

Even at her own life’s risk, So let him cultivate

A boundless heart towards all beings.

Mettanca sabba lokasmin

Manasam-bhavaye apari-manam

Uddham adho ca tiriyanca

Asam-badham averam asa-pattam

Let his heart of boundless love

Pervade the whole world above,

Below and across; with no obstruction,

No hatred and no enmity.

Tittham caram nisinno va

Sayano va yava tassa vigata middho

Etam satim adhittheyya

Brahma metam viharam idha-mahu

Whether he stands, walks, sits or lies down;

As long as he is awake,

He should develop this mindfulness.

This, they say is Divine Abiding here.

Ditthinca anupa gamma silava

Dassa-nena sampanno

Kamesu vineyya gedham

Nahi jatu gabbha seyyam punaretiti

Not falling into views, Being virtuous and endowed with insight, He gives up attachment to sense-desires. Truly, he does not come again to be conceived in a womb.

Etena sacca vajjena

Sotthi me hotu sabbada

By the firm determination of this truth

May I ever be well.