Monday, February 2, 2009

Karaniya Metta Sutra chanting/translation

The language used in this video is Pali (an ancient Indian dialect in use during the Buddha's time). This chanting can reputedly be used to cure certain illnesses. The chanting is very effective with the help of an expert Buddhist monastic.

KARANIYA METTA SUTTA
Original Pali Chant

Karaniya mattha kusalena,
Yan tam santam padam abhi-samecca;
Sakko uju ca suhuju ca,
Suvaco cassa mudu anatimani.

Santussako ca subharo ca,
Appakicco ca sallahukavutti;
Santindriyo ca nipako ca,
Appagabbho kulesu ananu giddho.

Na ca khuddam samacare kinci,
Yena vinnu pare upavadeyyum;
Sukhino va khemino hontu,
Sabbe satta bhavantu sukhitatta:
Ye keci panabhut'atthi,
Tasa va thavara va anavasesa;
Digha va ye mahanta va,
Majjima rassaka anukathula
Dittha va ye ca adittha,
Ye ca dure vasanti avidure;
Bhuta va sambhavesi va,
Sabbe satta bhavantu sukitatta.
Na paro pararam nikubbetha,
Natimannetha katthaci nam kinci;
Byarosana patighasanna,
Nannamannassa dukkhamiccheyya.

Mata yatha niyam puttam
Ayusa ekaputtamanurakkhe;
Evampi sabbabhutesu
Manasambhavaye aparimanam.
Mettanca sabbalokasmim
Mansambhavaye aparimanam;
Uddham adho ca tiriyanca,
Asambham averam asapattam.

Titthancaram nisinno va,
Sayano va yavatassa vigatamiddho;
Etam satim adhittheyya,
Brahmam etam viharam idha-mahu.
Ditthinca anupagamma,
Silava dassanena sampanno;
Kamesu vineyya gedham,
Na hi jatu gabbhaseyyam puna-reti ti.


THE BUDDHA'S WORDS ON LOVING KINDNESS
Modern English translation

This is what should be done
By one who is skilled in goodness
And who knows the path of peace:

Let one be able and upright,
Straightforward and gentle in speech,
Humble and not conceited,
Contented and easily satisfied.
Unburdened with duties and frugal in one's ways.
Peaceful and calm, wise and skillful,
Not proud and demanding in nature.
Let one not do the slightest thing
That the wise would later reprove.
Wishing: "In gladness and in safety,
May all beings be at ease."

Whatever living beings there may be --
Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
The great, the mighty, medium, short, or small,
The seen and the unseen,
Those living near and far away,
Those born and to-be-born --
May all beings be at ease.

Let none deceive another,
Nor despise any being in any state.
Let none through anger or ill-will
Wish harm upon another.
Even as a mother protects with her life
Her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart
Should one cherish all living beings --
Radiating kindness over the entire world:
Spreading upwards to the skies,
And downwards to the depths;
Outwards and unbounded,
Freed from hatred and ill-will.
Whether standing or walking,
seated or lying down
Free from drowsiness,
One should sustain this recollection.
This is said to be the sublime abiding.
By not holding to fixed views,
The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision,
Being freed from all sense desires,
Is not born again into this world.

1 comment:

  1. Beautiful Translation. Buddha spoke Pali. Sinhalese (Sri Lankan) Language is fully based and rooted to Pali.

    The meaning of All sutras can be understood in two ways.

    1) Moral Way - Think of developing morality, good, good future, good life, good next life, fortune in this life and next life.

    3) Arya Way - Aryas are those who are expecting to attain Enlightenment in this life. So the Karaneeya meththa suthra includes qualities one need have in order to become an Arya. Arya is One of those deciples who have actually witnessed the four noble truths or In other words (Aniccha,Dukka, Anatta - Ashwada, Adeenawa, Nissarana) to the self through the experienced mind. Dassanena Sampanna is actually establishing the Right View (Samma Ditti) in the mental activity. Once one establishes Samma Ditti correctly and coprehensively, he is an Stream Entrant (Sowan). Aryas are in other words those who have attained - Swan, Sakurdagami, Anagami, Arihath Margalapala. They are also termed Sangha. So Some of those translations, have taken the worldy meanings for words in Karaneeya Metta Suthra. But hidden among those worldly meaning, the actual Arya Meaning (Spiritual meaning) is burried. Those who wish enlightenment this life, should understand more philosophically about those, so that they could see the path to Arya Marga (Enligtenment) Describle in this Beautiful Sutra.

    May you all attain Happiness and Supreme Joy of Nirvana.

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