I want to share this interpretation of the Metta Sutta, Buddha’s discourse on goodwill. It is not the entire discourse, nor is it the exact wording of the original, as there are many variations, yet the point it makes is poignant.
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“May all beings be filled with joy and peace.
Without exception, may all beings everywhere, the strong and the weak, the great and the small, the meek and the powerful, the short and the long, the subtle and the blatant;
may all beings everywhere, seen and unseen, near and far, born and yet to be born, be happy and at ease.
Let no one deceive another, let no one despise another,
let no one out of anger, contempt, or resentment wish for another to suffer.
Just as a mother protects her child from harm, so cultivate within yourself this boundless goodwill with regard to all living beings.
Maintain this state of mindfulness and let your loving kindness radiate over the entire world in all directions, spreading upward to the skies, and downward to the depths, across and unconfined, a limitless goodwill, free from hatred, oppression, and ill-will.”
The Weekly Post 