Difference between revisions of "Metta Sutta: Good Will"
(Created page with "<nomobile>{{DisplayImages|3932|4457|2578|2192|2244}}</nomobile> Metta Sutta: Good Will (1) translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu © 2006 Alter...") |
|||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
| − | translated from the Pali by | + | translated from the [[Pali]] by |
[[Thanissaro Bhikkhu]] | [[Thanissaro Bhikkhu]] | ||
| Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
| − | "Monks, there are these four types of individuals to be found existing in the world. Which four? | + | "[[Monks]], there are these four types of {{Wiki|individuals}} to be found [[existing]] in the [[world]]. Which four? |
| − | "There is the case where an individual keeps pervading the first direction[1] — as well as the second direction, the third, & the fourth — with an awareness imbued with good will. | + | "There is the case where an {{Wiki|individual}} keeps pervading the first [[direction]][1] — as well as the second [[direction]], the third, & the fourth — with an [[awareness]] imbued with [[good will]]. |
| − | Thus he keeps pervading above, below, & all around, everywhere & in every respect the all-encompassing cosmos with an awareness imbued with good will: abundant, expansive, immeasurable, free from hostility, free from ill will. | + | Thus he keeps pervading above, below, & all around, everywhere & in every [[respect]] the all-encompassing [[cosmos]] with an [[awareness]] imbued with [[good will]]: abundant, expansive, [[immeasurable]], free from {{Wiki|hostility}}, free from [[ill will]]. |
| − | He savors that, longs for that, finds satisfaction through that. | + | He savors that, longs for that, finds [[satisfaction]] through that. |
| − | Staying there — fixed on that, dwelling there often, not falling away from that — then when he dies he reappears in conjunction with the devas of Brahma's retinue. | + | Staying there — fixed on that, dwelling there often, [[not falling]] away from that — then when he [[dies]] he reappears in {{Wiki|conjunction}} with the [[devas]] of [[Brahma's]] retinue. |
| − | The devas of Brahma's retinue, monks, have a life-span of an eon. | + | The [[devas]] of [[Brahma's]] retinue, [[monks]], have a [[life-span]] of an [[eon]]. |
| − | A run-of-the-mill person having stayed there, having used up all the life-span of those devas, goes to hell, to the animal womb, to the state of the hungry shades. | + | A run-of-the-mill [[person]] having stayed there, having used up all the [[life-span]] of those [[devas]], goes to [[hell]], to the [[animal womb]], to the [[state]] of the [[hungry shades]]. |
| − | But a disciple of the Blessed One, having stayed there, having used up all the life-span of those devas, is unbound right in that state of being. | + | But a [[disciple]] of the [[Blessed One]], having stayed there, having used up all the [[life-span]] of those [[devas]], is unbound right in that [[state of being]]. |
| − | This, monks, is the difference, this the distinction, this the distinguishing factor, between an educated disciple of the noble ones and an uneducated run-of-the-mill person, when there is a destination, a reappearing. | + | This, [[monks]], is the difference, this the {{Wiki|distinction}}, this the distinguishing factor, between an educated [[disciple of the noble ones]] and an uneducated run-of-the-mill [[person]], when there is a destination, a reappearing. |
| − | "Again, there is the case where an individual keeps pervading the first direction — as well as the second direction, the third, & the fourth — with an awareness imbued with compassion. | + | "Again, there is the case where an {{Wiki|individual}} keeps pervading the first [[direction]] — as well as the second [[direction]], the third, & the fourth — with an [[awareness]] imbued with [[compassion]]. |
| − | Thus he keeps pervading above, below, & all around, everywhere & in every respect the all-encompassing cosmos with an awareness imbued with compassion: | + | Thus he keeps pervading above, below, & all around, everywhere & in every [[respect]] the all-encompassing [[cosmos]] with an [[awareness]] imbued with [[compassion]]: |
| − | abundant, expansive, immeasurable, free from hostility, free from ill will. He savors that, longs for that, finds satisfaction through that. | + | abundant, expansive, [[immeasurable]], free from {{Wiki|hostility}}, free from [[ill will]]. He savors that, longs for that, finds [[satisfaction]] through that. |
| − | Staying there — fixed on that, dwelling there often, not falling away from that — then when he dies he reappears in conjunction with the Abhassara devas.[2] | + | Staying there — fixed on that, dwelling there often, [[not falling]] away from that — then when he [[dies]] he reappears in {{Wiki|conjunction}} with the [[Abhassara]] [[devas]].[2] |
| − | The [[Abhassara devas]], monks, have a life-span of two eons. | + | The [[Abhassara devas]], [[monks]], have a [[life-span]] of two [[eons]]. |
| − | A run-of-the-mill person having stayed there, having used up all the life-span of those devas, goes to hell, to the animal womb, to the state of the hungry shades. But a disciple of the Blessed One, having stayed there, having used up all the life-span of those devas, is unbound right in that state of being. | + | A run-of-the-mill [[person]] having stayed there, having used up all the [[life-span]] of those [[devas]], goes to [[hell]], to the [[animal womb]], to the [[state]] of the [[hungry shades]]. But a [[disciple]] of the [[Blessed One]], having stayed there, having used up all the [[life-span]] of those [[devas]], is unbound right in that [[state of being]]. |
| − | This, monks, is the difference, this the distinction, this the distinguishing factor, between an educated disciple of the noble ones and an uneducated run-of-the-mill person, when there is a destination, a reappearing.[3] | + | This, [[monks]], is the difference, this the {{Wiki|distinction}}, this the distinguishing factor, between an educated [[disciple of the noble ones]] and an uneducated run-of-the-mill [[person]], when there is a destination, a reappearing.[3] |
| − | "Again, there is the case where an individual keeps pervading the first direction — as well as the second direction, the third, & the fourth — with an awareness imbued with appreciation. | + | "Again, there is the case where an {{Wiki|individual}} keeps pervading the first [[direction]] — as well as the second [[direction]], the third, & the fourth — with an [[awareness]] imbued with [[appreciation]]. |
| − | Thus he keeps pervading above, below, & all around, everywhere & in every respect the all-encompassing cosmos with an awareness imbued with appreciation: abundant, expansive, immeasurable, free from hostility, free from ill will. He savors that, longs for that, finds satisfaction through that. | + | Thus he keeps pervading above, below, & all around, everywhere & in every [[respect]] the all-encompassing [[cosmos]] with an [[awareness]] imbued with [[appreciation]]: abundant, expansive, [[immeasurable]], free from {{Wiki|hostility}}, free from [[ill will]]. He savors that, longs for that, finds [[satisfaction]] through that. |
| − | Staying there — fixed on that, dwelling there often, not falling away from that — then when he dies he reappears in conjunction with the Subhakinha[4] devas. The Subhakinha devas, monks, have a life-span of four eons. | + | Staying there — fixed on that, dwelling there often, [[not falling]] away from that — then when he [[dies]] he reappears in {{Wiki|conjunction}} with the [[Subhakinha]][4] [[devas]]. The [[Subhakinha]] [[devas]], [[monks]], have a [[life-span]] of four [[eons]]. |
| − | A run-of-the-mill person having stayed there, having used up all the life-span of those devas, goes to hell, to the animal womb, to the state of the hungry shades. | + | A run-of-the-mill [[person]] having stayed there, having used up all the [[life-span]] of those [[devas]], goes to [[hell]], to the [[animal womb]], to the [[state]] of the [[hungry shades]]. |
| − | But a disciple of the Blessed One, having stayed there, having used up all the life-span of those devas, is unbound right in that state of being. | + | But a [[disciple]] of the [[Blessed One]], having stayed there, having used up all the [[life-span]] of those [[devas]], is unbound right in that [[state of being]]. |
| − | This, monks, is the difference, this the distinction, this the distinguishing factor, between an educated disciple of the noble ones and an uneducated run-of-the-mill person, when there is a destination, a reappearing. | + | This, [[monks]], is the difference, this the {{Wiki|distinction}}, this the distinguishing factor, between an educated [[disciple of the noble ones]] and an uneducated run-of-the-mill [[person]], when there is a destination, a reappearing. |
| − | "Again, there is the case where an individual keeps pervading the first direction — as well as the second direction, the third, & the fourth — with an awareness imbued with equanimity. | + | "Again, there is the case where an {{Wiki|individual}} keeps pervading the first [[direction]] — as well as the second [[direction]], the third, & the fourth — with an [[awareness]] imbued with [[equanimity]]. |
| − | Thus he keeps pervading above, below, & all around, everywhere & in every respect the all-encompassing cosmos with an awareness imbued with equanimity: abundant, expansive, immeasurable, free from hostility, free from ill will. | + | Thus he keeps pervading above, below, & all around, everywhere & in every [[respect]] the all-encompassing [[cosmos]] with an [[awareness]] imbued with [[equanimity]]: abundant, expansive, [[immeasurable]], free from {{Wiki|hostility}}, free from [[ill will]]. |
| − | He savors that, longs for that, finds satisfaction through that. | + | He savors that, longs for that, finds [[satisfaction]] through that. |
| − | Staying there — fixed on that, dwelling there often, not falling away from that — then when he dies he reappears in conjunction with the Vehapphala[5] devas. | + | Staying there — fixed on that, dwelling there often, [[not falling]] away from that — then when he [[dies]] he reappears in {{Wiki|conjunction}} with the [[Vehapphala]][5] [[devas]]. |
| − | The Vehapphala devas, monks, have a life-span of 500 eons. | + | The [[Vehapphala]] [[devas]], [[monks]], have a [[life-span]] of 500 [[eons]]. |
| − | A run-of-the-mill person having stayed there, having used up all the life-span of those devas, goes to hell, to the animal womb, to the state of the hungry shades. | + | A run-of-the-mill [[person]] having stayed there, having used up all the [[life-span]] of those [[devas]], goes to [[hell]], to the [[animal womb]], to the [[state]] of the [[hungry shades]]. |
| − | But a disciple of the Blessed One, having stayed there, having used up all the life-span of those devas, is unbound right in that state of being. | + | But a [[disciple]] of the [[Blessed One]], having stayed there, having used up all the [[life-span]] of those [[devas]], is unbound right in that [[state of being]]. |
| − | This, monks, is the difference, this the distinction, this the distinguishing factor, between an educated disciple of the noble ones and an uneducated run-of-the-mill person, when there is a destination, a reappearing. | + | This, [[monks]], is the difference, this the {{Wiki|distinction}}, this the distinguishing factor, between an educated [[disciple of the noble ones]] and an uneducated run-of-the-mill [[person]], when there is a destination, a reappearing. |
| − | "These are four types of individuals to be found existing in the world." | + | "These are four types of {{Wiki|individuals}} to be found [[existing]] in the [[world]]." |
Notes | Notes | ||
1. | 1. | ||
| − | + | ::::The [[east]]. | |
2. | 2. | ||
| − | + | ::::[[Abhassara]] = Radiant. The [[Abhassara]], [[Subhakinha]], and [[Vehapphala devas]] are all [[Brahmas]] on the [[level of form]]. | |
3. | 3. | ||
| − | + | ::::This [[sutta]], read in {{Wiki|conjunction}} with AN 4.123, has given rise to the [[belief]] that the [[development]] of [[good will]] as an [[immeasurable]] [[state]] can lead only to the [[first jhana]], and that the next two [[immeasurable]] states — [[compassion]] and [[appreciation]] — can lead, respectively, only to the second and third [[jhanas]]. | |
| − | However, as AN 8.63 shows, all four immeasurable states can lead all the way to the fourth jhana. | + | However, as AN 8.63 shows, all [[four immeasurable]] states can lead all the way to the [[fourth jhana]]. |
| − | The difference between that discourse and this lies in how the person practicing these states relates to them. In that sutta, the person deliberately uses the state as a basis for developing all the jhanas. In this sutta, the person simply enjoys the state and remains in it. | + | The difference between that [[discourse]] and this lies in how the [[person]] practicing these states relates to them. In that [[sutta]], the [[person]] deliberately uses the [[state]] as a basis for developing all the [[jhanas]]. In this [[sutta]], the [[person]] simply enjoys the [[state]] and remains in it. |
4. | 4. | ||
| − | + | ::::Lit., Beautiful [[Black]]. | |
5. | 5. | ||
| − | + | ::::Lit., [[Sky-fruit]]. | |
See also: AN 4.126 | See also: AN 4.126 | ||
Latest revision as of 08:22, 16 November 2015
Metta Sutta: Good Will (1)
translated from the Pali by
© 2006 Alternate translation: Ñanamoli
"Monks, there are these four types of individuals to be found existing in the world. Which four?
"There is the case where an individual keeps pervading the first direction[1] — as well as the second direction, the third, & the fourth — with an awareness imbued with good will.
Thus he keeps pervading above, below, & all around, everywhere & in every respect the all-encompassing cosmos with an awareness imbued with good will: abundant, expansive, immeasurable, free from hostility, free from ill will.
He savors that, longs for that, finds satisfaction through that.
Staying there — fixed on that, dwelling there often, not falling away from that — then when he dies he reappears in conjunction with the devas of Brahma's retinue.
The devas of Brahma's retinue, monks, have a life-span of an eon.
A run-of-the-mill person having stayed there, having used up all the life-span of those devas, goes to hell, to the animal womb, to the state of the hungry shades.
But a disciple of the Blessed One, having stayed there, having used up all the life-span of those devas, is unbound right in that state of being.
This, monks, is the difference, this the distinction, this the distinguishing factor, between an educated disciple of the noble ones and an uneducated run-of-the-mill person, when there is a destination, a reappearing.
"Again, there is the case where an individual keeps pervading the first direction — as well as the second direction, the third, & the fourth — with an awareness imbued with compassion.
Thus he keeps pervading above, below, & all around, everywhere & in every respect the all-encompassing cosmos with an awareness imbued with compassion:
abundant, expansive, immeasurable, free from hostility, free from ill will. He savors that, longs for that, finds satisfaction through that.
Staying there — fixed on that, dwelling there often, not falling away from that — then when he dies he reappears in conjunction with the Abhassara devas.[2]
The Abhassara devas, monks, have a life-span of two eons.
A run-of-the-mill person having stayed there, having used up all the life-span of those devas, goes to hell, to the animal womb, to the state of the hungry shades. But a disciple of the Blessed One, having stayed there, having used up all the life-span of those devas, is unbound right in that state of being.
This, monks, is the difference, this the distinction, this the distinguishing factor, between an educated disciple of the noble ones and an uneducated run-of-the-mill person, when there is a destination, a reappearing.[3]
"Again, there is the case where an individual keeps pervading the first direction — as well as the second direction, the third, & the fourth — with an awareness imbued with appreciation.
Thus he keeps pervading above, below, & all around, everywhere & in every respect the all-encompassing cosmos with an awareness imbued with appreciation: abundant, expansive, immeasurable, free from hostility, free from ill will. He savors that, longs for that, finds satisfaction through that.
Staying there — fixed on that, dwelling there often, not falling away from that — then when he dies he reappears in conjunction with the Subhakinha[4] devas. The Subhakinha devas, monks, have a life-span of four eons.
A run-of-the-mill person having stayed there, having used up all the life-span of those devas, goes to hell, to the animal womb, to the state of the hungry shades.
But a disciple of the Blessed One, having stayed there, having used up all the life-span of those devas, is unbound right in that state of being.
This, monks, is the difference, this the distinction, this the distinguishing factor, between an educated disciple of the noble ones and an uneducated run-of-the-mill person, when there is a destination, a reappearing.
"Again, there is the case where an individual keeps pervading the first direction — as well as the second direction, the third, & the fourth — with an awareness imbued with equanimity.
Thus he keeps pervading above, below, & all around, everywhere & in every respect the all-encompassing cosmos with an awareness imbued with equanimity: abundant, expansive, immeasurable, free from hostility, free from ill will.
He savors that, longs for that, finds satisfaction through that.
Staying there — fixed on that, dwelling there often, not falling away from that — then when he dies he reappears in conjunction with the Vehapphala[5] devas.
The Vehapphala devas, monks, have a life-span of 500 eons.
A run-of-the-mill person having stayed there, having used up all the life-span of those devas, goes to hell, to the animal womb, to the state of the hungry shades.
But a disciple of the Blessed One, having stayed there, having used up all the life-span of those devas, is unbound right in that state of being.
This, monks, is the difference, this the distinction, this the distinguishing factor, between an educated disciple of the noble ones and an uneducated run-of-the-mill person, when there is a destination, a reappearing.
"These are four types of individuals to be found existing in the world." Notes
1.
- The east.
2.
- Abhassara = Radiant. The Abhassara, Subhakinha, and Vehapphala devas are all Brahmas on the level of form.
3.
- This sutta, read in conjunction with AN 4.123, has given rise to the belief that the development of good will as an immeasurable state can lead only to the first jhana, and that the next two immeasurable states — compassion and appreciation — can lead, respectively, only to the second and third jhanas.
However, as AN 8.63 shows, all four immeasurable states can lead all the way to the fourth jhana.
The difference between that discourse and this lies in how the person practicing these states relates to them. In that sutta, the person deliberately uses the state as a basis for developing all the jhanas. In this sutta, the person simply enjoys the state and remains in it. 4.
- Lit., Beautiful Black.
5.
- Lit., Sky-fruit.
See also: AN 4.126
Source
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an04/an04.125.than.html
