The discourse on Loving Kindness The Karaniya Metta Sutta or commonly known as the Metta Sutta (loving kindness) is part of the teachings left by Lord Buddha in the Pali canon.
What is this Sutta and the advantages from it?
During the time of Buddha,there was a group of monks who found a nice conducive sanctuary within the forest for them to practice and meditates.The guardian spirits of the forest at first welcome the virtuous monks to stay in the part of their forest.The monks then decided they will stay for another 3 months to pass their Pansa (rain retreat).
It was then to the awareness of these spirits and they are not so please with the monks overstaying.The spirit deities create all sort of menacing disturbances such as ghastly sounds,screams and fearful visions to frighten the monks every nights.
In the despair they pray to the Blessed One for guidance.Lord Buddha with his limitless awareness knows about this and through his psychic powers,he instructed the monks to start on no matter what as he foresees the monks will get enlightened if the push on their practice in the forest.He also teaches the monks the Karaniya Metta Sutta and ask them to chant in it in their every mindful moments.
Instead of contesting and challenging the master of domain,the monks use the pacifist approach of radiating great loving kindness energies with their sincere chanting of Karaniya Metta Sutta to the annoyed deity guardians.Gradually, these bothersome spirits were appeased by the peaceful and benevolence approach of the monks and the chanting thus they cease their disturbances.Instead of disturbing the monks,they came forward to help them in various ways.At the end of the Pansa,all the monks achieved arahantship as foresee by the Enlightened One.
This shows how Metta can be used to overcome all enmity.
As told by Lord Buddha himself,there are 11 advantages from practicing th Karaniya Metta Sutta;
"One sleeps easily,wakes easily,dreams no evil dreams. One is dear to human beings,dear to non-human beings. The devas protect one. Neither fire,poison,nor weapons can touch one. One's mind gains concentration quickly. One's complexion is bright. One dies unconfused and if fails to attain arahantship,shall headed for the Brahma worlds.
"These are the eleven benefits that can be expected for one whose awareness release through good will is cultivated,developed,pursued,handed the reins and taken as a basis,given grounding,steadied,consolidated,and well undertaken."
One should and practice the Karaniya Metta Sutta and it will come especially useful when faced with great hostility and resentment. Practicing it will resolve and dissipate and enmity and will turn foes into friends and friends into supporters.
Practice it with the mindfulness of the mind,speech and body and may harmony be with all sentinel beings.
