from Hacker News

Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness

by rajlego on 10/10/23, 9:13 AM with 68 comments

  • by korginator on 10/10/23, 1:05 PM

    As with many Pāli words (e.g., dhamma, samkhāra, etc.), it's hard to provide a simplistic one-dimensional translation of the phrase "mettā", often crudely translated as loving-kindness. When you read through the Sutta Nipata and the early texts, it comes across more as unconditional or unconstrained friendliness which is far easier to practice in real life, even when you can't make yourself feel loving-kindness.

    There are several other passages from the oldest strata of Pāli texts, e.g., the SNP (Sutta Nipata) and some of the connected discourses (Samyutta Nikāya) that talk more about metta, a rich and complex tapestry that paints a picture of the actual and original intent behind the word or phrase.

    This talk by Prof. John Peacock has some good insights into the phrase mettā, and provides a good overall context.

    https://www.audiodharma.org/talks/2600

    Mettā is part of the four brahmavihārās or practises to cultivate wholesome states of mind, the others being karuṇā (compassion & kindness for oneself and for others), muditā (simplistically translated as "empathetic joy") and upekkhā (equanimity).

  • by krzat on 10/10/23, 1:22 PM

    Interesting to see this here, without any context attached. I've been practicing loving kindness meditation for a few months now and the results have been incredible.

    I'm atheist, pretty sure reincarnation is bullshit, but the method described in this sutta works. In mundane terms, you can train your brain to be happier and more joyful by those simple visualizations.

    I'm not quite sure what is the role of spreading kindness in all directions, perhaps it somehow ties our perception of space and time, which is always present, with good feelings - what fires together, wires together - making them more likely to appear in future.

  • by Glench on 10/10/23, 3:15 PM

    My meditation teacher described two types of meditation practices designed to train your mind to be more loving and compassionate and therefore happier. I'd like to share a little about them in the off-chance they're beneficial.

    One type is to envision the pain and suffering of people and respond compassionately in a way that eliminates their pain and suffering. When I was suffering terribly myself I constantly wished for others who were in similar difficulties to be freed immediately. This actually made me feel a lot better. The problem is that for some people dwelling on suffering is a real bummer.

    The second type is similar to the text linked above: cherishing all beings as they are, as if they were your very children that you love so so much. Lately, my meditations have started to transition toward this type and I've felt spontaneous feelings of bliss and love toward others that grows the more I do it. And this kindness is naturally starting to come out in my behavior and interactions with others.

    In both cases, the meditations develop "bodhicitta", which is a word that describes the attitude of wishing others well. It's said that this attitude, when trained, nourished, and grown is the very cause of all happiness and when perfected causes happiness to bloom uninterruptedly. Therefore, it is an extremely beneficial and powerful practice.

    It's fantastic to see this text linked on Hacker News even without much context. Wishing you all well!

  • by wirrbel on 10/10/23, 12:20 PM

    https://suttacentral.net/snp1.8/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=pla... Sutta central offers various translations (multiple translators, multiple languages).

    Thich nhat hanh had a good introductory article I believe it’s this one https://tricycle.org/magazine/cultivating-compassion/

  • by robobro on 10/10/23, 1:45 PM

    People here interested in Buddhist theory / psychology may be interested in this book: https://americanmonk.org/abhidhamma-lessons/

    Abhidhamma Lessons: A Top-Down Approach Using Computer Science

    Author is a former programmer who uses computer science methods to discuss Buddhism's approach to understanding the mind and reality. I found it interesting!

  • by nickpsecurity on 10/10/23, 2:02 PM

    Although the prose is beautiful, the word lovingkindness has a different meaning. It was an English word invented to translate hesed in Hebrew into English. The Word of God, esp in King James Bible, uses this word to explain how God loves His chosen people.

    https://www.compellingtruth.org/lovingkindness.html

    We are undeserving, evil people who deserve justice for our sins. Instead, God offers us a chance to repent and follow Him out of pure grace. He makes a covenant backed by His own name. Within that covenant, He preserves us in eternal life forever while using us to His glory in this life. If we fall, He’ll discipline us but never let us go. That’s out of His love and character.

    This undeserved grace for those following Jesus Christ is what the Bible calls hesed, or lovingkindness.

  • by paolomaffei on 10/10/23, 1:53 PM

    This very translation has been put to music by an artist called Indiajiva [1], I find it very peaceful

    [1] https://open.spotify.com/track/1bBMoUSm7Oc07l3JdQoP4g?si=671...

  • by metta2uall on 10/11/23, 7:37 AM

    I love how this sutta makes it clear what its definition of pure love is (wishing that everyone is well, unconditionally), and that this should be cultivated towards all beings, including animals.

    Sadly though most Buddhist laypeople are not vegan, though some popular teachers like Thich Nhat Hanh did promote minimising the suffering of animals via such practical means as making vegan choices..

    Regarding meditation, Ajahn Brahm from the Thai Forest Tradition has taught extensively not just focused Metta Meditation, but how Metta (i.e. love/acceptance) towards the present moment is a key part of other techniques like meditation of breathing. One of his books, "Kindfulness", really gets into this.

  • by denton-scratch on 10/10/23, 1:11 PM

    Like nearly all Buddhist teachings, there are practices you can do to develop these faculties. For example, you can reflect that all beings have at one time or another been your mother, or your child; realizing this, how can you feel hatred towards any other being?

    It doesn't work for me, of course; I don't believe in rebirth.

  • by an_mp_speaks on 10/10/23, 5:46 PM

    Always a pleasure to see ATI links on here, especially when it's something like this, which has to be one of the most beautiful and practical suttas in the Pali canon.

    Transcribing buddha-dharma has long been praised as a meritorious act. In the modern era, it'd be hard to beat John Bullitt in his practice of it.

  • by compumike on 10/10/23, 2:33 PM

    Rob Burbea Metta Retreat: https://dharmaseed.org/retreats/1084/ audio recordings with instructions and guided meditations

  • by FrustratedMonky on 10/10/23, 4:56 PM

    Is there a Sutta for being behind on a project, and crushing stress at meeting deadlines, being critical path and a few dozen people waiting on you.

    Seriously. There are a lot of Sutta's. Wondering if one deals with regular deadlines/stress.

  • by 5cott0 on 10/10/23, 1:22 PM

    The Mahayana (Tiantai school) version: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34460022

  • by gourabmi on 10/10/23, 6:41 PM

    Most wholesome thread on HN in recent memory.

  • by CrzyLngPwd on 10/10/23, 7:15 PM

    It's a useful tool on the path to the realisation that such tools are unnecessary.

  • by adyashakti on 10/10/23, 1:13 PM

    mettā is a powerful practice. if you want to feel happy, do a bit of mettā. if you want mind-melting ecstasy, do a lot.