The cultivation of benevolence (mettā bhāvanā) is a popular form ofBuddhist meditation.[6]: 318–319 It is a part of the four immeasurables inBrahmavihara (divine abidings) meditation.[6]: 278–279 Metta as "compassion meditation" is often practiced in Asia by broadcast chanting, wherein monks chant for thelaity.[6]: 318–319
The compassion and universal loving-kindness concept ofmetta is discussed in theMetta Sutta of Buddhism, and is also found in the ancient and medieval texts ofHinduism andJainism asmetta ormaitri.[7]
Small sample studies on the potential ofloving-kindness meditation approach on patients[clarification needed] suggest potential benefits.[8][9] However, peer reviews question the quality and sample size of these studies.[10][11]
Mettā is a Pali word, frommaitrī which was itself derived frommitra which, states Monier-Williams, means "friend".[12] The term is found in this sense in the Vedic literature,[13] such as theShatapatha Brahmana and various early Upanishads, and Vedanga literature such asPāṇini'sAṣṭādhyāyī 5.4.36.[12] The term appears in Buddhist texts as an important concept and practice.[13]
Buswell and Lopez, as well as Harvey, translatemettā as "loving-kindness".[14][6]: 327 In Buddhist belief, this is aBrahmavihara (divine abode) or an immeasurable that leads to a meditative state by being a counter to ill-will. It removes clinging to negative states of mind, by cultivating kindness unto all beings.[6]: 327
The "far enemy" ofmettā ishate or ill-will, a mind-state in obvious opposition. The "near enemy" (quality which superficially resemblesmettā but is in fact more subtly in opposition to it), is attachment (greed): here too one likes experiencing a virtue, but for the wrong reason.[15]
Mettā meditation, or often "loving-kindness meditation", is the practice concerned with the cultivation ofmettā, i.e. benevolence, kindness, and amity. The practice generally consists of silent repetitions of phrases such as "may you be happy" or "may you be free from suffering", for example directed at a person who, depending on tradition, may or may not be internally visualized.[8]
Two different methodological approaches have been discerned in recent review papers: practices that focus on compassion, and practices focusing on loving-kindness. Focusing on compassion means that meditation consists of the wish to relieve a being from suffering, whereas focusing on loving-kindness means wishing a being happiness.[8][9]
The practice gradually increases in difficulty with respect to the targets that receive the practitioner's compassion or loving-kindness. At first the practitioner is targeting "oneself, then loved ones, neutral ones, difficult ones, and finally all beings, with variations across traditions".[8]
According to Martin Wiltshire, prior to the advent of theBuddha, there existed traditions ofBrahmaloka and of meditation with the four virtues of loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity.[16]: 248–264 The early Buddhist texts assert that pre-Buddha ancient Indian sages who taught these virtues were earlier incarnations of the Buddha.[16]: 248–264 Post-Buddha, these same virtues are found in the Hindu texts such as verse 1.33 of theYoga Sutras of Patañjali, wherein the wordmaitri is synonymous withmetta.[17]
Loving-kindness (maitri), along with compassion and equanimity, are found in the earlyUpanishads of Hinduism, while loving-kindness (metta) is found in early Sutras ofJainism along with compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity.[16]: 241–242 The ancient IndianPaccekabuddhas who are mentioned in the early BuddhistSuttas, those who lived before the Buddha, mention all "four immeasurables" and Brahmavihara, and they are claimed in the Suttas to be previous incarnations of the Buddha.[16]: 248–264
According to Ian Harris, the Buddhist scriptures acknowledge that themetta-concept containing fourBrahmavihara meditation practices "did not originate within the Buddhist tradition".[18] The Buddha never claimed that the "four immeasurables" and relatedmetta-meditation were his unique ideas, states Harvey Aronson, ina manner similar to[clarification needed] "cessation, quieting, nirvana".[19]
The pre-BuddhaChandogya Upanishad, states Jayatilleke, in section 8.15 teaches metta andahimsa (doctrine of non-harm, esp. non-violence) to all creatures claiming that this practice leads toBrahmaloka.[20] The shift in Vedic ideas, from rituals to virtues, is particularly discernible in the early Upanishadic thought, and it is unclear as to what extent and how early Upanishadic traditions of Hinduism and Sramanic traditions such as Buddhism and Jainism influenced each other, on ideas such as "four immeasurables", meditation, and Brahmavihara.[16]: 248–264
In the Jain text, theTattvartha Sutra (Chapter 7, sutra 11), which is accepted by all Jain sub-traditions as authoritative, there is a mention of four right sentiments: Maitri, pramoda, karunya, and madhyastha:
Benevolence towards all living beings, joy at the sight of the virtuous, compassion and sympathy for the afflicted, and tolerance towards the insolent and ill-behaved.
In thePāli Canon, the termmetta appears in many texts such as theKakacupama Sutta andKaraniya Metta Sutta. Other canonical materials, such as in thePaṭisambhidāmagga, elaborate on it as a practice. Yet other canonical sources, such as theAbhidhamma, underline the key role of benevolence in the development of wholesomekarma for better rebirths.
This basic statement of intention and verse[clarification needed] can also be found in several other canonical discourses.[21]
May all beings be happy and secure, may they be happy-minded. Whatever living beings there are—feeble or strong, long, stout or medium, short, small or large, seen or unseen (ghosts, gods and hell-beings), those dwelling far or near, those who are born or those who await rebirth may all beings, without exception be happy-minded. Let none deceive another nor despise any person whatever in any place; in anger or ill-will let them not wish any suffering to each other. Just as a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life, even so, let him cultivate a boundless heart towards all beings. Let her thoughts of boundlesslovingkindness pervade the whole world: above, below and across, without obstruction, without any hatred, without any enmity. ⋮ This they say is divine abiding here. She will surely not come again to any womb (rebirth in the sense-desire realm).
— Metta Sutta, Khp 8-9, Translated by Peter Harvey[6]: 279
Metta or lovingkindness here, states Harvey, is a heartfelt aspiration for the happiness of all beings. It is different from "lack of ill-will", and more an antidote to fear and hatred. It is the precept to conquer anger by kindness, conquer the liar by truth, conquer the stingy by giving, and conquer evil by good, says Harvey.[6]: 279
In over a dozen discourses, the following description (in English and Pāli) is provided for radiating loving-kindness in six directions:[22]
One abides, having suffused with a mind of benevolence one direction of the world, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth, and so above, below, around and everywhere, and to all as to himself; one abides suffusing the entire universe with benevolence, with a mind grown great, lofty, boundless and free from enmity and ill will.[24]
In the canon, this basic formula is expanded upon in a variety of ways. For instance, a couple of discourses[25] provide the following description of how to gain rebirth in the heavenly realm of Brahmā (brahmānaṃ sahavyatāya maggo) :
"What... is the path to the company of Brahmā? Here a bhikkhu abides pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with benevolence, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; so above, below, around, and everywhere, and to all as to himself, he abides pervading the all-encompassing world with a mind imbued with benevolence, abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without hostility, and without ill will. When the deliverance of mind by benevolence is developed in this way, no limiting action remains there, none persists there.
"Just as a vigorous trumpeter could make himself (or herself) heard without difficulty in the four quarters, so too, when the deliverance of mind by benevolence is developed in this way, no limiting action remains there, none persists there. This is the path to the company of Brahmā."[26]
In theKhuddaka Nikāya'sPaṭisambhidāmagga, traditionally ascribed toSariputta, is a section entitledMettākathā (Ps. 2.4, "Story on Loving-Kindness").[28] In this instruction, a general formula (below, in English and Pāli), essentially identical to the aforementionedCunda Kammaraputta Sutta verse (especially evident in the Pāli), is provided for radiating benevolence:
In addition, this instruction categorizes twenty-two ways in which "the mind-deliverance of benevolence" (mettācetovimutti) can be radiated with
five ways of "unspecified pervasion" (anodhiso pharaṇā)
all beings (sabbe sattā), all breathing things (sabbe pāṇā bhāvapariyāpannā), all creatures (sabbe bhūtā bhāvapariyāpannā), all persons (sabbe puggalā bhāvapariyāpannā), all with a personality (sabbe attabhāvapariyāpannā)
seven ways of "specified pervasion" (anodhiso pharaṇā)
all women (sabbā itthiyo), all men (sabbe purisā), all Noble Ones (sabbe ariyā), all non-Noble Ones (sabbe anariyā), all deities (sabbe devā), all humans (sabbe manussā), all born in lower realms (sabbe vinipātikā),
ten ways of "directional pervasion" (disā-pharaṇā)
of the eastern direction (puratthimāya disāya), of the western direction (pacchimāya disāya), of the northern direction (uttarā disāya), of the southern direction (dakkhīṇāya disāya), of the eastern intermediate direction (puratthimāya anudisāya), of the western intermediate direction (pacchimāya anudisāya), of the northern intermediate direction (uttarā anudisāya), of the southern intermediate direction (dakkhīṇāya anudisāya), of the downward direction (heṭṭhimāya disāya), of the upward direction (uparimāya disāya).
Moreover, the directional pervasions can then be applied to each of the unspecific and specific pervasions. For instance, after radiating benevolence to all beings in the east (Sabbe puratthimāya disāya sattā...), one radiates it to all beings in the west and then north and then south, etc.; then, one radiates it to all breathing things in this fashion (Sabbe puratthimāya disāya pāṇā...), then all creatures, persons, and so forth until such is extended for all those born in the lower realms.
The Pali canon says that there are a number of benefits from the practicing ofmetta meditation, including:
One sleeps easily, wakes easily, dreams no evil dreams. One is dear to human beings, dear to non-human beings. Thedevas protect one. Neither fire, poison, nor weapons can touch one. One's mind gains concentration quickly. One's complexion is bright. One dies unconfused and—if penetrating no higher—is headed for [rebirth in][29] the Brahma worlds.[30]
The canon also upholds fully ripenedmetta development as a foremost antidote to ill will:
"No other thing do I know, O monks, on account of which unarisen ill will does not arise and arisen ill will is abandoned so much as on account of this: the liberation of the heart by benevolence. For one who attends properly to the liberation of the heart by benevolence, unarisen ill will does not arise and arisen ill will is abandoned."[31]
"Monks, whatever grounds there are for making merit productive of a future birth, all these do not equal a sixteenth part of the liberation of mind by benevolence. The liberation of mind by benevolence surpasses them and shines forth, bright and brilliant."[32]
Mettā meditation is regularly recommended to theBuddha's followers in the Pali canon, which generally advises radiatingmetta in each of the six directions.[33] A different set of practical instructions, still widely used today, is found in the 5th century CEVisuddhimagga; this is also the main source for the "near and far enemies" given above. In addition, variations on this traditional practice have been popularized by modern teachers and applied in modern research settings.
Mettā is found in pre-Buddhist Vedic Sanskrit texts asMaitrī,Maitra, andMitra, which are derived from the ancient rootMid (love).[13] These Vedic words appear in theSamhita,Aranyaka,Brahmana, andUpanishad layers of texts in the Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda.[34]
Speaking the truth I desire this: May I enjoy her lovingkindness as do ye, May not one of you supplant another, She hath enjoyed my lovingkindness, the all-knower.
— Taittiriya Samhita 4.3.12,Yajurveda, Translated by Arthur Keith[35]
Similarly, the term appears in hymn 55 of Book 19 of the Atharvaveda,[36] and various Upanishads.[37] A major early Upanishad of Hinduism, namedMaitri Upanishad, discusses universal kindness and amity. TheMaitri Upanishad, states Martin Wiltshire, provides the philosophical underpinning, by asserting, "what one thinks, that one becomes, this is the eternal mystery". This idea, adds Wiltshire, reflects the assumption in the ancient thought that one influences one's own environment and situation, causality is equitable, and "good volitional acts conduce pleasant situations, while bad volitional acts conduce unpleasant situations".[16]: 94–95 TheMaitri Upanishad teaches, states Juan Mascaró, that peace begins in one's own mind, in one's longing for truth, in looking within, and that "a quietness of mind overcomes good and evil works, and in quietness the soul is one: then one feels the joy of eternity."[38]
TheIsha Upanishad similarly discusses universal amity and loving-kindness, but without the termmettā.[39] These teachings of universalmaitri influenced Mahatma Gandhi.[40]
In Jainism,Yogabindu – the 6th-century yoga text byHaribhadra – uses the Sanskrit wordmaitri in verses 402–404, in the sense of loving-kindness towards all living beings.[41]
Some pilot research studies on the effect ofmettā meditation indicate an increase in positive emotions for practitioners.[8][9] In particular, an immediate impact on positive emotions after practice as well as a long-term effect could be shown, though these effects might not hold true for everybody.[8] In one proof-of-concept study, uncontrolled in sample selection and benchmarking, the researchers report therapeutic potential for psychological problems like depression or social anxiety, when combined with other reliable treatments.[9]
The application ofmettā meditation for the treatment of psychological and other healthcare-related problems is a topic of research. Hofmannet al. discuss the potential use for therapy and report insufficient data, with some promising studies so far. Those studies could show a positive impact on problems such as schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. According to Hofmannet al., there needs to be more rigorous research, especially with the application of Buddhist approaches to loving-kindness and compassion meditation.[9]
In an eight-week pilot study in 2005, loving-kindness meditation led to reduced pain and anger in people with chronic lower back pain.[42] Compassion meditation, aScience Daily article states, may reduce inflammatory and behavioral responses to stress that have been linked to depression and a number of medical illnesses.[43]
A 2015 meta-analysis, synthesizing various high-quality experiments on loving-kindness meditation, found a medium-sized[quantify] improvement to daily positive emotion, with meditation on the loving-kindness aspect of mettā having a greater effect than practices with a focus on compassion. The length of time meditating did not affect the magnitude of positive impact of the practice.[8]
S. R. Bishop, in a 2002 review, suggests caution on claims of benefits, and states, "what has been published has been rife with methodological problems. At present, we know very little about the effectiveness of this [mindfulness-lovingkindness-compassion meditation] approach; however, there is some evidence that suggests that it may hold some promise."[11]
In a 2014 review of multiple studies, Galanteet al. reach a similar conclusion, stating "results were inconclusive for some outcomes, in particular against active controls; the methodological quality of the reports was low to moderate; results suffered from imprecision due to wide CIs (confidence intervals) deriving from small studies" and that "the kindness meditation methods show evidence of individual and community benefits through its effects on their well-being and social interaction".[10]
^In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon. Translated byBodhi, Bhikkhu. Somerville, Mass.: Wisdom Publications. 2005. pp. 90, 131, 134.ISBN0-86171-491-1.
Gethin, Rupert (1998).The Foundations of Buddhism. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 26, 30,passim.ISBN0-19-289223-1. [spelled as two words: "loving kindness"]
Harvey, Peter (2007).An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 247–48.ISBN978-0-521-31333-9. [spelled without a hyphen: "lovingkindness"]
Bodhi, Bhikkhu, ed. (2001).The Middle-Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya. Translated by Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu. Boston: Wisdom Publications. pp. 120, 374, 474,passim.ISBN0-86171-072-X.
Salzberg, Sharon (1995).Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness. Boston: Shambhala Publications. pp. passim.ISBN1-57062-176-4. [without a hyphen]
The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Dīgha Nikāya. Translated by Walshe, Maurice. Somerville, Mass.: Wisdom Publications. 1995. p. 194.ISBN0-86171-103-3.
Buddhagosha, Bhadantācariya (2010).Vishudimagga: The Path of Purification(PDF). Translated by Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu. Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society. II.IX.98.
"Dhamma Lists".Insight Meditation Center. Redwood City, Calif.
theDiscourse to Subha (Subha Sutta,MN 99) (Ñāṇamoli & Bodhi, 2001, pp. 816–17)
The Threefold Knowledge Discourse (Tevijja Sutta,DN 13), vv. 76–77 (Walshe, 1995, p. 194)
See also theDiscourse to Dhānañjāni (Dhānañjāni Sutta,MN 97) (IAST|Ñāṇamoli & Bodhi, 2001, p. 796), in which a similar statement about union with Brahma is made by the Ven.Sariputta without the trumpeter metaphor.
^MN 99 (Ñāṇamoli & Bodhi, 2001, pp. 816-17). In that translation, this text was presented as one paragraph. Here, it is divided into two, thus following the Pāli text presentation, to enhance readability. Given this text's length, relatively uncomplicated translation and lesser known status (e.g., compared with theKaraniya Metta Sutta), the associated Pāli text is not represented in this main article but here:
"Majjhima Nikaya: Sutta Pitaka".Bodhgaya News. book 2, BJT p. 730 [MN 99]. Archived fromthe original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved2009-08-07.The word that is repeatedly elided ("...") ismāṇava ("student" or "young man") so that only the text that is common to all of the identified discourses is represented here. (For instance, in MN 97, instead ofmāṇava, it uses the name of the Brahmin being addressed.)
^Cited in Buddhaghosa & Ñāṇamoli (1999), p. 302,Vsm.IX,50. See alsoÑanamoli (1987), section 11, "Methodical Practice: from the Patisambhidamagga," where this sentence is translated as: "May all beings be freed from enmity, distress and anxiety, and may they guide themselves to bliss."
^In this section of this article, the primary English-language sources are:
Buddhaghosa, Bhadantacariya (1999).The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga. Translated by Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu. Seattle, Wash.:BPS Pariyatti Editions. pp. 301–304 (Vsm.IX.49–58).ISBN1-928706-00-2.
See also AN 8.1 (similarly entitled,Mettānisaṃsa Sutta [SLTP] andMettā Suttaṃ [CSCD]) which omits the last three of four benefits mentioned in AN 11.16 (that is, it omits "One's mind gains concentration quickly. One's complexion is bright. One dies unconfused...").
^Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: An anthology of Suttas from the Aṅguttara Nikāya. Translated by Nyanaponika, Thera; Bodhi, Bhikkhu. Walnut Creek, Calif.: AltaMira Press. 1999.AN 1.ii.7.ISBN0-7425-0405-0.
^Bloomfield, Maurice (1906).A Vedic Concordance. Harvard Oriental Series. Vol. 10. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. pp. 713–717.
^The Veda of the Black Yajus School entitled Taittiriya Sanhita. Vol. 2: Kandas IV–VII. Translated by Keith, Arthur Berriedale. Harvard University Press. 1914. p. 335 (iv,3,12,i:k).
Acharya Buddharakkhita (trans.) (1987/2006). "Kakacupama Sutta: The Parable of the Saw (excerpt)" fromPositive Response: How to Meet Evil With Good (Bodhi Leaves No. 109). Kandy, Sri Lanka:Buddhist Publication Society (1987). Retrieved from "Access to Insight" (2006) atKakacupama Sutta: The Parable of the Saw.
Amaravati Sangha (trans.) (1994, 2004). "Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness" fromChanting Book: Morning and Evening Puja and Reflections (1994). Hemel Hempstead: Amaravati Publications. Retrieved 2007-11-25 from "Access to Insight" (2004) atKaraniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness.
Bodhi, Bhikkhu (2005).In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon. Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications.ISBN0-86171-491-1.
Gombrich, Richard (1988; reprinted 2002).Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benares to Modern Colombo. Routledge: London.ISBN0-415-07585-8.
Harvey, Peter (2007).An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.ISBN0-521-31333-3.
Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu (trans.) & Bhikkhu Bodhi (ed.) (2001).The Middle-Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya. Boston: Wisdom Publications.ISBN0-86171-072-X.
Ñanamoli Thera (trans.) & Bhikkhu Khantipalo (ed.) (1993/1994).Saleyyaka Sutta: The Brahmans of Sala (MN 41). Retrieved 2007-12-23 from "Access to Insight" (1994 transcription) atSaleyyaka Sutta: The Brahmans of Sala.
Nyanaponika Thera & Bhikkhu Bodhi (trans.) (1999).Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: An anthology of Suttas from theAṅguttara Nikāya. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press.ISBN0-7425-0405-0.
Rhys Davids, Caroline A. F. ([1900], 2003).Buddhist Manual of Psychological Ethics, of the Fourth Century B.C., Being a Translation, now made for the First Time, from the Original Pāli, of the First Book of theAbhidhamma-Piṭaka, entitled Dhamma-Sangaṇi (Compendium of States or Phenomena). Kessinger Publishing.ISBN0-7661-4702-9.
Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (1997b).Metta (Mettanisamsa) Sutta: Good Will (AN 11.16). Retrieved 2010-07-07 from "Access to Insight" atMetta (Mettanisamsa) Sutta: Good Will.
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