Exploring the Path - Pāli Course

One skilled in one’s welfare
And who wishes to attain the ultimate peace,
Should be able, upright, very upright,
Soft-spoken, gentle and humble.

One should be contented, easily supported,
With few involvements and few wants,
With senses calmed, discreet,
Not impudent, and not be greedily attached to families.

One should not commit the slightest wrong
For which one might be censured by the wise.
May all beings be happy and secure,
May they be happy within themselves.

Whatever living beings there may be,
Without exception, movable or stationary,
Long or large,
Medium or small, fine or coarse

Seen or unseen,
Those dwelling far or near,
Those who are born and those coming to birth,
May all beings be happy within themselves.

Let none deceive another
Or despise anyone anywhere;
Filled with anger or ill-will,
Let one not wish any harm for another.

Just as a mother would protect her only child
With her own life,
Even so let one cultivate
Boundless love towards all beings.

Let one’s thoughts of boundless mettā
Pervade the whole world,
Above, below and across,
Unhindered, free of hate and of enmity.

Whether one is standing, walking, sitting
Or lying down, as long as one is awake,
One should develop this mindfulness [of boundless mettā].
This, they say, is a sublime way of living.

Not falling into wrong views,
Endowed with sīla and insight,
Discarding sensual desire,
One does not come into a womb again.

^*Karaṇīyametta Suttaṃ: karaṇīya + metta + suttaṃ: what ought to be done + Mettā + sutta