Discourse on Love (Metta Sutta)

"Love"

Discourse on Love (Metta Sutta)

"He or she who wants to attain peace should practice being upright, humble, and capable of using loving speech. He or she will know how to live simply and happily, with senses calmed, without being covetous and carried away by the emotions of the majority. Let him or her not do anything that will be disapproved of by the wise ones.
"(And this is what he or she contemplates):

May everyone be happy and safe, and may their hearts be filled with joy.

"May all living beings live in Security and in Peace ˆ beings who are frail or strong, tall or short, big or small, visible or not visible, near or far away, already born or yet to be born. May all of them dwell in perfect tranquility.

"Let no one do harm to anyone. Let no one put the life of any one in danger. Let no one, out of anger or ill will, wish anyone any harm.

"Just as mother loves and protects her only child at the risk of her own life, we should cultivate Boundless Love to offer to all living beings in the entire cosmos. We should let our boundless love pervade the whole universe, above, below and across. Our love will know no obstacles, our heart will be absolutely free from hatred and enmity. Whether standing or walking, sitting or lying, as long as we are awake, we should maintain this mindfulness of love in our own heart. This is the noblest way of living.

"Free from wrong views, greed and sensual desires, living in beauty and realizing Perfect Understading, those who practice Boundless Love will certainly transcend Birth and Death."

Metta Sutta (Suttanipata 1)
The Buddha

"I love you"

Note: clicking on the title of this thread will take you to a discussion given in 1997 by Thich Nhat Hanh (pronounced Tic Naught Hawn'). Thich is a Vietnamese Buddhist Monk who was exiled from his native land during the Vietnam War because he advocated for peace. He now resides in France where he has founded a Buddhist community called, 'Plum Village.'

Master Thay - as he is referred to by his following - has been travelling through out the US and Canada this summer participating in discussions about peace and love.

He is in his late seventies or maybe even his early eighties. I hope you take the time to read not only what the Buddah had to say about this important topic but also how Thich Naht Hanh clearly explains some of the deeper nuances of this wonderful meditation on love.