The Lovingkindness Sutta

Interpreted and Illustrated
by Mari Gayatri Stein

This is what should be done
By those who are skilled in goodness
And who know the path of peace
Let us be able and upright
Straightforward and gentle in speech
Humble and not conceited
Contented and easily satisfied
Unburdened with duties and frugal in our ways
Peaceful and calm and wise and skillful
Not proud and demanding in nature
Let us not do the slightest thing
That the wise would later reprove

Wishing in gladness and in safety
May all beings be at ease
Whatever living beings there may be
Whether they are weak or strong omitting none
The great or the mighty medium short or small
The seen and the unseen
Those living near and far away
Those born and to be born
May all beings be at ease
Let none deceive another
Or despise any being in any state
Let none through anger or ill will
Wish harm upon another
Even as a mother protects with her life
Her child her only child
So with a boundless heart
Should we cherish all living beings
Radiating kindness over the entire world
Spreading upward to the skies
And downward to the depths
Outward and unbounded
Freed from hatred and ill will
Whether standing or walking seated or lying down
Free from drowsiness
We should sustain this recollection
This is said to be the sublime abiding
By not holding to fixed views
The pure hearted one having clarity of vision
Being freed from all sense desires
Is not born again into this world

The Buddha’s words on Lovingkindness from The Buddha Smiles:
A Collection of Dharmatoons by Mari Gayatri Stein (White Cloud Press, 1999)
www.marigayatri.com