Friendliness Meditation | Mettabhāvanā

Mettabhāvanā (Śri Laṅka version)
Friendliness Meditation (Chanting; given in Pali / English)

(based on Paṭisambhidāmagga and Visuddhimagga)

- One of the best chants for recitation in Theravada Buddhism to develop Loving Kindness, Friendship and Compassion to all living beings - in one word - Metta in canonical Pali language. The Metta prayer given here in Pali language and parallel English translation.

1. Ahaṁ avero homi, abyāpajjho homi, anīgho homi,
May I be free from hatred, may I be free from oppression, may I be free from trouble,

Sukhī attānaṁ pariharāmi.
May I take care of myself and be happy.

2. Ahaṁ viya mayhaṁ ācariyupajjhāyā, mātā, pitaro,
And like myself, may my teacher, preceptor, mother, father,

Hitasattā, majjhattikasattā, verisattā,
Those who are benefactors, those who are neutral, (and) those who are enemies,

Averā hontu, abyāpajjhā hontu, anīghā hontu
Be free from hatred, free from oppression, free from trouble,

Sukhī attānaṁ pariharantu, dukkhā muccantu,
May they take care of themselves and be happy, may they be free from suffering,

Yathā laddha sampattito mā vigacchantu kammassakā.
being ones who own their actions, may they not lose whatever prosperity they have gained.

3. Imasmiṁ vihāre, imasmiṁ gocaragāme, imasmiṁ nagare,
In this living place, in this alms village, in this town,

Imasmiṁ Laṅkādīpe, imasmiṁ Jambudīpe, imasmiṁ cakkavāḷe,
in this Island of (Śri) Laṅkā, in this Rose-Apple Island (i.e. India), in this Universe,

Issarajanā sīmaṭṭhakadevatā, sabbe sattā
May the leaders of the people, the gods within these boundaries, (and) all beings,

Averā hontu, abyāpajjhā hontu, anīghā hontu,
Be free from hatred, free from oppression, free from trouble,

Sukhī attānaṁ pariharantu, dukkhā muccantu,
May they take care of themselves and be happy, may they be free from suffering,

Yathā laddha sampattito mā vigacchantu kammassakā.
being ones who own their actions, may they not lose whatever prosperity they have gained.

4. Puratthimāya disāya, dakkhiṇāya disāya, pacchimāya disāya, uttarāya disāya,
In in the Eastern direction, in the Southern direction, in the Western direction, in the Northern direction,

Puratthimāya anudisāya, dakkhiṇāya anudisāya,
In the South-Eastern direction, in the South-West direction,

Pacchimāya anudisāya, uttarāya anudisāya,
in the North-West direction, in the North-East direction,

Heṭṭhimāya disāya, uparimāya disāya,
In the lower direction, in the upper direction,

Sabbe sattā, sabbe pāṇā, sabbe bhūtā,
May all creatures, all breathing creatures, all beings,

Sabbe puggalā, sabbe attabhāvapariyāpannā,
All persons, all individuals,

Sabbā itthiyo, sabbe purisā,
May all women, all men,

Sabbe ariyā, sabbe anariyā,
All those who are Noble, all those who are not (yet) Noble,

Sabbe devā, sabbe manussā, sabbe vinipātikā,
All gods, all human beings, all who have fallen (into the lower worlds),

Averā hontu, abyāpajjhā hontu, anīghā hontu,
Be free from hatred, free from oppression, free from trouble,

Sukhī attānaṁ pariharantu, dukkhā muccantu,
May they take care of themselves and be happy, may they be free from suffering,

Yathā laddha sampattito mā vigacchantu kammassakā.
being ones who own their actions, may they not lose whatever prosperity they have gained.

Translated by Ānandajoti Bhikkhu