Of Compassion, Faith and Contentment: Excerpts From the Sutta Nipata, Part 1 of 2

Today, it is a delight to present selections from the Sutta Nipata, namely the Mettasutta, the Discourse on Loving Kindness, and the Hemavatasutta, where Lord Buddha teaches the devas, Sâtâgira and Hemavata.

Mettasutta Discourse on Loving Kindness “Whatever is to be done by one who is skilful in seeking (what is) good, having attained that tranquil state (of Nirvana): Let him be able and upright and conscientious and of soft speech, gentle, not proud, And contented and easily supported and having few cares, unburdened and with his senses calmed and wise, not arrogant, without (showing) greediness […]. And let him not do anything mean for which others who are wise might reprove (him); may all beings be happy and secure, may they be happy-minded. Whatever living beings there are, either feeble or strong, all either long or great, middle-sized, short, small or large, Either seen or which are not seen, and which live far (or) near, either born or seeking birth, may all creatures be happy-minded. Let no one deceive another, let him not despise (another) in any place, let him not out of anger or resentment wish harm to another. As a mother at the risk of her life watches over her own child, her only child, so also let every one cultivate a boundless (friendly) mind towards all beings. And let him cultivate goodwill towards all the world, a boundless (friendly) mind, above and below and across, unobstructed, without hatred, without enmity. Standing, walking or sitting or lying, as long as he be awake, let him devote himself to this mind; this (way of) living they say is the best in this world. He who, not having embraced (philosophical) views, is virtuous, endowed with (perfect) vision, after subduing greediness for sensual pleasures, will never again go to a mother’s womb.”

Hemavatasutta The Buddha teaches Sâtâgira and Hemavata, the Devas. “‘In what has the world originated?’ so said the Deva Hemavata. ‘With what is the world intimate? By what is the world afflicted, after having grasped at what?’ ‘In six the world has originated, O Hemavata,’ so said the Blessed One, ‘with six it is intimate, by six the world is afflicted, after having grasped at six.’ Hemavata said: ‘What is the grasping by which the world is afflicted? Asked about salvation, tell (me) how one is released from pain?’ Blessed One said: ‘Five pleasures of sense are said to be in the world, with (the pleasure of) the mind as the sixth; having divested oneself of desire for these, one is thus released from pain. This salvation of the world has been told to you truly, this I tell you: thus one is released from pain.’”