Metta

Mettā (Pāli) or maitrī (Sanskrit) has been translated as "loving-kindness,"[1][2] "friendliness,"[3][4][5] "benevolence,"[4][2] "amity,"[3] "friendship,"[4] "good will,"[4] "kindness,"[6] "love,"[3] "sympathy,"[3] and "active interest in others."[3] It is one of the ten pāramitās of the Theravāda school of Buddhism, and the first of the four Brahmavihāras. The mettā bhāvanā ("cultivation of mettā") is a popular form of meditation in Buddhism.
The object of mettā meditation is loving kindness (love without attachment). Traditionally, the practice begins with the meditator cultivating loving kindness towards themselves,[7] then their loved ones, friends, teachers, strangers, enemies, and finally towards all sentient beings.
Buddhists believe that those who cultivate mettā will be at ease because they see no need to harbor ill will or hostility. Buddhist teachers may even recommend meditation on mettā as an antidote to insomnia and nightmares. It is generally felt that those around a mettā-ful person will feel more comfortable and happy too. Radiating mettā is thought to contribute to a world of love, peace and happiness.

Contents

1 Mettā meditation: the practice of loving-kindness
2 Visuddhimagga method: Six stages
3 Pali Canon texts

3.1 Basic intention and verse
3.2 Basic radiating formula
3.3 Kakacupama Sutta (MN 21)
3.4 Karaniya Metta Sutta
3.5 Patisambhidamagga Mettakatha
3.6 Abhidhammic descriptor


4 Notes
5 References
6 Credits



Mettā meditation is considered a good way to calm down a distraught mind by people who consider it to be an antidote to anger. According to them, someone who has cultivated mettā will not be easily angered and can quickly subdue anger that arises, being more caring, more loving, and more likely to love unconditionally.

Mettā meditation: the practice of loving-kindness
Mettā signifies friendship and non-violence as well as a strong wish for the happiness of others, but also less obvious or direct qualities such as showing patience, receptivity, and appreciation. Though it refers to many seemingly disparate ideas, Mettā is in fact a very specific form of love – a caring for another independent of all self-interest – and thus is likened to one's love for one's child or parent. Understandably, this energy is often difficult to describe in words; however, in the practice of Mettā meditation, one recites specific words and phrases in order to evoke this boundless warm-hearted feeling. Metta is not limited to one's family, religion, or social class. Its cultivation allows one's generosity and kindness to be applied to all beings and, as a consequence, one finds true happiness in another person's happiness, no matter who the individual may be.

Visuddhimagga method: Six stages
Contemporary metta practice is often based on a method traditionally associated with the 5th century C.E. Pali exegetical text, the Visuddhimagga ("The path to purity").[8] The full instructions for the theory and practice of mettā bhāvanā are available in this text (Chapter IX).[9] Therein, the text describes six stages of mettā bhāvanā meditation, which are as follows:

Cultivation of loving kindness to one's self[10]
Cultivation of loving kindness to a good friend
Cultivation of loving kindness to a 'neutral' person
Cultivation of loving kindness to a difficult person
Cultivation of loving kindness towards all four categories above.
Gradually cultivate loving kindness towards the entire universe[11]
It is recommended that one avoid choosing someone to whom one feels sexually attracted, or that is much younger or much older than oneself, or whom is dead. In addition, when choosing "an enemy," one is to avoid choosing a person who has just wrecked one's life, unless one is very well grounded in awareness. In the fifth stage, one is to treat all four categories as equals, equally deserving of loving-kindness.

Pali Canon texts
In the Pali Canon, statements regarding the use of metta traditionally employ one or more of the following devices, often using a stock formula:

mental purification
a verse for wishing others well
pervading all directions and all beings with loving-kindness.
The well-known Kakacupama Sutta and Karaniya Metta Sutta use striking metaphors to give these traditional devices vitality. Other canonical material, such as in the Paṭisambhidāmagga, elaborate on these basic devices in a manner that is perpetuated by the later traditional commentaries. Other canonical sources, such as the Abhidhamma, underline the key role of metta in the development of wholesome karma.
In the Pali canon, a classic example of extending loving-kindness and compassion (Pali: karuna) to "difficult persons" can be found in the "Parable of the Saw" sutta (Majjhima Nikaya 21), where the Buddha provides the following instruction:

'Monks, even if bandits were to sever you savagely limb by limb with a two-handled saw, he who gave rise to a mind of hate toward them would not be carrying out my teaching. Herein, monks, you should train thus: "Our minds will remain unaffected, and we shall utter no bitter words; we shall abide compassionate for their welfare, with a mind of loving-kindness, never in a mood of hate. We shall abide pervading them with a mind imbued with loving-kindness; and starting with them, we shall abide pervading the all-encompassing world with a mind imbued with loving-kindness, abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without hostility, and without ill will." This is how you should train, monks.'[12]
Basic intention and verse
In Cunda Kammaraputta Sutta ("To Cunda the Silversmith," Anguttara Nikaya 10.176), the Buddha explains that mental or intentional purity (manasā soceyyaṃ) is threefold: non-greed, non-ill-will and non-delusion. Regarding the manifestation of non-ill-will the discourse describes a virtuous person in the following manner (in English and Pali):


He bears no ill will and is not corrupt in the resolves of his heart. 
[He thinks,] 'May these beings be free from animosity, 
free from oppression, free from trouble, and 
may they look after themselves with ease!'[13]


Avyāpannacitto hoti appaduṭṭhamanasaṃkappo, 
'ime sattā averā 
avyāpajjā anīghā 
sukhī attānaṃ pariharantu'ti.[14]


This basic statement of intention and verse can also be found in several other canonical discourses.[15]

Basic radiating formula
In over a dozen discourses, the following description (in English and Pali) is provided for radiating metta in six directions:[16]


"He abides, having suffused with a mind of loving-kindness 
one direction of the world, 
likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth, 
and so above, below, around and 
everywhere, and to all as to himself; 
he abides suffusing the entire universe with loving-kindness, 
with a mind grown great, lofty, boundless and 
free from enmity and ill will."[17]


So mettāsahagatena cetasā 
ekaṃ disaṃ pharitvā viharati. 
Tathā dutiyaṃ. Tathā tatiyaṃ. Tathā catutthiṃ. 
Iti uddhamadho tiriyaṃ 
sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṃ 
lokaṃ mettāsahagatena cetasā 
vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena 
averena abyāpajjena pharitvā viharati.[18]


In the Canon, this basic formula is expanded upon in a variety of ways. For instance, a couple of discourses[19] provide the following description of "the path to the company of Brahmā" (brahmānaṃ sahavyatāya maggo) along with a memorable metaphor:

"What … is the path to the company of Brahmā? Here a bhikkhu abides pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with loving-kindness, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the forth; so above, below, around, and everywhere, and to all as to himself, he abides pervading the all-encompassing world with a mind imbued with loving-kindness, abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without hostility, and without ill well. When the deliverance of mind by loving-kindness is developed in this way, no limiting action remains there, none persists there. Just as a vigorous trumpeter could make himself heard without difficulty in the four quarters, so too, when the deliverance of mind by loving-kindness is developed in this way, no limiting action remains there, none persists there. This is the path to the company of Brahmā."[20]
Kakacupama Sutta (MN 21)
Incorporating facets of the above textual methods in a series of increasingly vivid similes, the Kakacupama Sutta ("Parable of the Saw Discourse," Majjhima Nikaya 21) provides the following culminating scenario:

"Monks, even if bandits were to savagely sever you, limb by limb, with a double-handled saw, even then, whoever of you harbors ill will at heart would not be upholding my Teaching. Monks, even in such a situation you should train yourselves thus: 'Neither shall our minds be affected by this, nor for this matter shall we give vent to evil words, but we shall remain full of concern and pity, with a mind of love, and we shall not give in to hatred. On the contrary, we shall live projecting thoughts of universal love to those very persons, making them as well as the whole world the object of our thoughts of universal love—thoughts that have grown great, exalted and measureless. We shall dwell radiating these thoughts which are void of hostility and ill will.' It is in this way, monks, that you should train yourselves."[21]
Karaniya Metta Sutta
The Karaniya Metta Sutta (Suttanipata 1.8) combines both the interpersonal and radiant aspects of canonical expressions of metta.
This is what should be done

By one who is skilled in goodness,

And who knows the path of peace:

… 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 or 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,

Or 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….[22]

According to the Pali commentaries, the Buddha originally gave this instruction (of Loving-Kindness meditation) to Monks who were being harassed by the Tree Spirits of a forest in which the Monks were trying to meditate. After doing this meditation in the forest it is said that the Spirits were so affected by the power of Loving-Kindness that they allowed the Monks to stay in the forest for the duration of the rainy season.

Patisambhidamagga Mettakatha
In the Khuddaka Nikaya's Paṭisambhidāmagga, traditionally ascribed to Ven. Sariputta, is a section entitled Mettākathā (Patisambhidamagga. 2.4, "Metta Instruction").[23] In this instruction, a general formula (below, in English and Pali), essentially identical to the aforementioned Cunda Kammaraputta Sutta verse (especially evident in the Pali), is provided for radiating metta:


"May all beings be 
free from enmity, affliction and anxiety, 
and live happily."[24]


Sabbe sattā 
averā abyāpajjā anīghā 
sukhī attānaṃ pariharantu.[25]


In addition, this instruction categorizes twenty-two ways in which "the mind-deliverence of lovingkindness" (mettācetovimutti) can be radiated as follows:

five ways of "unspecified pervasion" (anodhiso pharaṇā):
all beings (sabbe sattā )
all breathing things (sabbe pāṇā bhāvapariyāpannā)
all creatures (sabbe bhūtā bhāvapariyāpannā)
all persons (sabbe puggalā bhāvapariyāpannā)
all with a personality (sabbe attabhāvapariyāpannā)
seven ways of "specified pervasion" (anodhiso pharaṇā):
all women (sabbā itthiyo)
all men (sabbe purisā)
all Noble Ones (sabbe ariyā)
all non-Noble Ones (sabbe anariyā)
all deities (sabbe devā)
all humans (sabbe manussā)
all born in lower realms (sabbe vinipātikā)
ten ways of "directional pervasion" (disā-pharaṇā):
of the eastern direction (puratthimāya disāya)
of the western direction (pacchimāya disāya)
of the northern direction (uttarā disāya)
of the southern direction (dakkhīṇāya disāya)
of the eastern intermediate direction (puratthimāya anudisāya)[26]
of the western intermediate direction (pacchimāya anudisāya)
of the northern intermediate direction (uttarā anudisāya)
of the southern intermediate direction (dakkhīṇāya anudisāya)
of the downward direction (heṭṭhimāya disāya)
of the upward direction (uparimāya disāya).
Moreover, the directional pervasions can then be applied to each of the unspecific and specific pervasions. For instance, after radiating metta to all beings in the east (Sabbe puratthimāya disāya sattā …), one radiates metta to all beings in the west and then north and then south, etc.; then, one radiates metta to all breathing things in this fashion (Sabbe puratthimāya disāya pāṇā …), then all creatures, persons, and so forth until such is extended for all those born in the lower realms.

Abhidhammic descriptor
In the Abhidhamma's Dhammasangani, the causes of "good" or "wholesome" (kusala) and "bad" or "unwholesome" (akusala) karmic states (dhammā) are described (Dhammasangani 188 ff). The three causes of wholesome karma are stated to be the non-greed, non-hate and non-delusion (alobho adoso amoho). Non-hate is then defined in the following manner:

The absence of hate, hating, hatred; love, loving, loving disposition; tender care, forbearance, considerateness; seeking the general good, compassion; the absence of malice, of malignity; that absence of hate which is the root of good (karma)."[27]
Notes

↑ Bhikkhu Bodhi. (2005). In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon. (Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications), 90, 131, 134, passim; Rupert Gethin (1998). The Foundations of Buddhism. (Oxford University Press), 26, 30, passim [spelled as two words: "loving kindness"]; Peter Harvey (2007). An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press), 247-248 [spelled without a hyphen: "lovingkindness"]; Ñāṇamoli (trans.) & Bhikkhu Bodhi, (ed.) (2001). The Middle-Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya. (Boston: Wisdom Publications), 120, 374, 474, passim; Sharon Salzberg (1995). Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness. (Boston: Shambhala Publications), passim[without a hyphen]; Maurice Walshe (1995). The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Dīgha Nikāya. (Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications), 194.

↑ 2.0 2.1 A.K. Warder (1970; reprinted 2004). Indian Buddhism. (Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass), 63, 94.

↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Rhys Davids & Stede (1921-25), 540, entry for "Mettā," retrieved 2008-04-29 from "U. Chicago" at [1].

↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Monier Williams, 1964, 834, entry for "Maitrī," retrieved 2008-04-29 from "U. Cologne" at [2].

↑ Kamalashila. (1996). Meditation: The Buddhist Art of Tranquility and Insight. (Birmingham: Windhorse Publications)

↑ Richard Gombrich. (1988; reprinted 2002). Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benares to Modern Colombo. (London: Routledge, 64-65.

↑ Regarding the cultivation of loving kindness towards oneself, this is not specifically recommended by the Buddha himself in the pertinent canonical discourses but is inferred in the commentarial literature from other discourses.

↑ See, for instance, Kamalashila (1996) and Salzberg (1995).

↑ Centuries before the Visuddhimagga's famous instructions for metta practice, Upatissa's Vimuttimagga provided a similar though less detailed framework. (See Upatissa et al., (1995) The Path of Freedom (Vimuttimagga). (Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society), 187.

↑ In the Visuddhimagga, Ch. IX, vv. 8-10 (Buddhaghosa & Ñāṇamoli (1999), 289-290), Buddhaghosa identifies three sources in the Tipitaka for metta practice (the Khuddaka Nikaya's Sutta Nipata 145, the Khuddaka Nikaya's Paṭisambhidā-magga ii.30, and the Abhidhamma's Vibhanga 272); and, in none of these texts is cultivating metta towards oneself mentioned. However, Buddhaghosa states that the Tipitaka references to metta are for the purpose of meditative absorption (such as jhana practices); whereas cultivating metta towards oneself is instead practiced as "an example" for cultivating metta towards other. That is, one first cultivates metta towards oneself in order to seed metta that is subsequently extended towards others. Buddhaghosa bases this latter approach on the following statement by the Buddha in the canonical Samyutta Nikaya i.75 (also in the Khuddaka Nikaya's Udāna 47):
Searching all directions
with one's awareness,
one finds no one dearer
than oneself.
In the same way, others
are fiercely dear to themselves.
So one should not hurt others
if one loves oneself. (Thanissaro, 1994)

↑ Kamalashila, (1996), 25-26.

↑ Bodhi, 2005, 278-279.
(Excerpts from this sutta are also available on-line at Buddharakkhita, 2006, and Thanissaro, 1997.)

↑ Cunda Kammaraputta Sutta To Cunda the Silversmith,Thanissaro (1997). Square-bracketed text is part of the original Thanissaro (1997) translation. Retrieved November 17, 2008.

↑ La Trobe University (n.d.), Anguttara Nikayal book 5,
(BJT), 488, retrieved 2007-11-26 at [3].

↑ In addition to Anguttara Nikaya 10.176, other discourses that contain this text include: Sāleyyaka Sutta ("The Brahmans of Sala," Majjhima Nikaya 41) (Ñanamoli & Khantipalo, 1993); Verañjaka Sutta ("The Brahmins of Verañja," MN 42, which is substantially a reiteration of MN 41 in a different locale); Sevitabbāsevitabba Sutta ("To Be Cultivated and Not to Be Cultivated," MN 114) (Ñāṇamoli & Bodhi, 2001, 917); Paṭhama-niraya-sagga Sutta ("First Discourse on Hell and Heaven," AN 10.211); Dutiya-niraya-sagga Sutta ("Second Discourse on Hell and Heaven," AN 10.212); Paṭhama-sañcetanika Sutta ("First Discourse on Intentional Actions," AN 10.217); Dutiya-sañcetanika Sutta ("Second Discourse on Intentional Actions," AN 10.218); as well as in the Patisambhidamagga and the paracanonical Milindapanha.

↑ See for instance, in the Digha Nikaya alone, Mahāsudassana Sutta ("The Great Splendor Discourse," Digha Nikaya 17), v. 2.4 (Walshe, 1995, 287); Mahāgovinda Sutta ("The Great Steward Discourse," Digha Nikaya 19), v. 59 (Walshe, 1995, 312); Udumbarika-Sīhanāda Sutta ("The Great Lion's Roar to the Udumbarikans Discourse," Digha Nikaya 19), v. 17 (Walshe, 1995, 390-391); and Cakkavatti-Sīhanāda Sutta ("The Lion's Roar on the Turning of the Wheel Discourse," Digha Nikaya 79), v. 28 (Walshe, 1995, 405).

↑ This particular English text is from the Nyanaponika (1988) translation of the Vatthūpama Sutta ("Simile of the Cloth," Majjhima Nikaya 7), v. 12.

↑ La Trobe University (n.d.), Majjhima Nikaya, book 1, (BJT), 88.

↑ See, for instance, the Subha Sutta ("To Subha," Majjhima Nikaya 99) (Ñāṇamoli & Bodhi, 2001, 816-17);
and, the Tevijja Sutta ("The Threefold Knowledge Discourse," Digha Nikaya 13), vv. 76-77 (Walshe, 1995, 194).
See also the Dhānañjāni Sutta ("To Dhānañjāni," Majjhima Nikaya 97) (Ñāṇamoli & Bodhi, 2001, 796), in which a similar statement about union with Brahma is made by the Ven. Sariputta without the trumpeter metaphor.

↑ MN 99 (Ñāṇamoli & Bodhi, 2001, 816-817). In this translation, this text is presented as one paragraph. Here, it was divided into two, thus following the Pali text presentation, to enhance readability.

↑ Buddharakkhita (1987).accesstoinsight. Retrieved November 16, 2008.

↑ Amaravati Sangha (2004).accesstoinsight. Retrieved November 17, 2008.

↑ In this section of this article, the primary English-language sources are Buddhaghosa & Ñāṇamoli (1999), 301-304, Visuddhimagga.IX, 49-58; and, Ñanamoli (1987), section 11, "Methodical Practice: from the Patisambhidamagga." The Pali is primarily based on La Trobe University (n.d.), Patisambhidamagga 2, (BJT), 64-80.

↑ Cited in Buddhaghosa & Ñāṇamoli (1999), 302, Visuddhimagga.IX,50. See also Ñanamoli (1987), section 11, "Methodical Practice: from the Patisambhidamagga," where this sentence is translated as: "May all beings be freed from enmity, distress and anxiety, and may they guide themselves to bliss."

↑ La Trobe University (n.d.), Patisambhidamagga 2, (BJT), 64.

↑ An "intermediate direction" (anudisā) is the midpoint between two compass points. For instance, the "eastern intermediate direction" refers to either the direction to the north-east (between north and east) or the south-east (between south and east).

↑ Rhys Davids (1900), 275-276


ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
Acharya Buddharakkhita (trans.) (1987/2006). "Kakacupama Sutta: The Parable of the Saw (excerpt)" from Positive Response: How to Meet Evil With Good. (Bodhi Leaves No. 109). (Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society, 1987)[4].accesstoinsight.Retrieved November 16, 2008.
Amaravati Sangha (trans.) (1994, 2004). "Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness" from Chanting Book: Morning and Evening Puja and Reflections. Hemel Hempstead: Amaravati Publications, 1994. [5].accesstoinsight. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
Bodhi, Bhikkhu (2005). In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon. Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0861714911.
Buddhaghosa, Bhadantacariya & Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli (trans.) (1999). The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga. Seattle, WA: Buddhist Publication Society Pariyatti Editions. ISBN 1928706002.
Gethin, Rupert (1998). The Foundations of Buddhism. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0192892231.
Gombrich, Richard (1988; reprinted 2002). Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benares to Modern Colombo. London: Routledge. ISBN 0415075858.
Harvey, Peter (2007). An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521313333.
Kamalashila (1996). Meditation: The Buddhist Art of Tranquility and Insight. Birmingham: Windhorse Publications. ISBN 1899579052. [6].kamalashila.co.uk. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
La Trobe University (n.d.), "Pali Canon Online Database," online search engine of Sri Lanka Tripitaka Project's (SLTP) Pali Canon. [7]. Retrieved 2007-11-25
Monier-Williams, Monier (1899, 1964). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary. London: Oxford University Press. ISBN 019864308X. [8].Cologne University. Retrieved 2008-04-29
Ñanamoli Thera, (ed., trans.) (1987/1994). The Practice of Loving-Kindness (Metta): As Taught by the Buddha in the Pali Canon. (The Wheel No. 7). Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society (1987). (1994 transcription) online, [9].Access to Insight. Retrieved 2007-11-25
Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu (trans.) & Bhikkhu Bodhi, (ed.) (2001). The Middle-Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya. Boston: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 086171072X.
Ñanamoli Thera, (trans.) & Bhikkhu Khantipalo, (ed.) (1993/1994). Saleyyaka Sutta: The Brahmans of Sala. (Majjhima Nikaya 41). (1994 transcription) at [10].Access to Insight. Retrieved 2007-12-23
Nyanaponika Thera, (trans.) (1988/1998). "Vatthupama Sutta: The Simile of the Cloth" (Majjhima Nikaya 7) from The Simile of the Cloth & the Discourse on Effacement. (Wheel No. 61). Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society (1988). (1998) [11].Access to Insight. Retrieved 2007-12-03
Rhys Davids, Caroline A. F. ([1900], 2003). Buddhist Manual of Psychological Ethics, of the Fourth Century B.C.E., Being a Translation, now made for the First Time, from the Original Pāli, of the First Book of the Abhidhamma-Piṭaka, entitled Dhamma-Sangaṇi (Compendium of States or Phenomena).. reprint ed. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 0766147029.
Rhys Davids, T.W. & William Stede, (eds.) (1921-1925). The Pali Text Society’s Pali–English Dictionary. Chipstead: Pali Text Society. from "U. Chicago" at [12]. Retrieved 2008-04-29
Salzberg, Sharon (1995). Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness. Boston: Shambhala Publications. ISBN 1570621764.
Thanissaro Bhikkhu, (trans.) (1994). Raja Sutta: The King. (Udana 5.1). [13].Access to Insight. Retrieved 2007-11-25
Thanissaro Bhikkhu, (trans.) (1997). Cunda Kammaraputta Sutta: To Cunda the Silversmith. (Anguttara Nikaya 10.176). Retrieved 2007-11-25 from "Access to Insight" at [14].
Upatissa, Arahant, N.R.M. Ehara (trans.), Soma Thera (trans.) and Kheminda Thera (trans.) (1995). The Path of Freedom (Vimuttimagga). Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society. ISBN 9552400546.
Walshe, Maurice (1995). The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Dīgha Nikāya. Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0861711033.
Warder, A.K. (1970; reprinted 2004). Indian Buddhism. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 8120817419.

Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article
in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

Metta  history
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

History of "Metta"
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.