Discourse on Loving Kindness
	PATIENCE (KSABTI) which requires one to practise forbearance to prevent anger from arising over the deeds done by ignorant persons. PESEVERANCE (VIRYA) which develops vigour and strenuous ef- fort in the practice of the Dharma. MEDITATION (DHYANA) which reduces confusion of the mind and leads to peace and happiness. WISDOM (PRAJNA) which develops the power to discern reality or truth. e practice of these virtues will help to remove greed and stinginess, anger and hatred, immoral living, confusion of the mind and stupidity and wrong views. Together with the Noble Eightfold Path, they teach one to live and practise the Buddha's teachings in order to reach the state whereby all il usions are de- stroyed so that peace and happiness can be attained. he iscourse on oving indness Buddhism lays great stress on the practice of loving-kindness (Metta) and compassion. is Discourse should serve both as a mark of protection and as a subject for contemplation. It teaches one how to practise the virtues which will benefit oneself and others. 1. He who is skil ed in his good and who wishes to attain the state of Calm should act thus: He should be efficient, upright, yea, perfectly upright, obedient, gentle and humble. 2. Contented, easily supportable, with few duties, of right livelihood, control ed in senses, discreet, not impudent, not be greedily attached to families. 3. He should not commit any slight wrong such that other wise men might censure him. 4. Whatsoever living beings there be, feeble or strong, long, stout or medium, small and large, seen or unseen, those dwel ing near or far, those who are born and those who are to be born -- may all beings, without exception, be happy! 5. Let none deceive another nor despise any person whatsoever in any place. In anger or il -will let him not wish any harm to another. 6. Just as a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life, even so let him cultivate boundless heart towards all beings. 7. Let these thoughts of bondless love pervade the whole world -- above, below and across -- without any obstruction, without any hatred, without any enmity. 8. Whether he stands, walks, sits, or lies down, as long as he is awake, he should develop his mindfulness. is, they say, is the Highest Conduct here. 9. Not fal ing into Error, virtuous and endowed with insight, he discards attachment to sense-desires. Of a truth, he does not come again for conception in a womb. ¡ûBACK¡û |INDEX| ¡úNEXT¡ú