[Intro]
May every living being be happy,
May every living being be safe.
Whether near or far away,
May loving-kindness fill our hearts.
[Verse 1]
One who understands the path of goodness
Trains in virtue, wisdom, and the mind.
Straight and honest, gentle and humble,
Content with a simple life.
Do not act in ways that bring harm,
Do not let anger rule the heart.
Guard the body, speech, and mind,
Walk the path of harmlessness.
[Pre-Chorus]
When our hearts hold no enemies,
The world begins to find its peace.
When we wish no suffering upon another,
Loving-kindness begins to grow.
[Chorus]
Boundless loving-kindness,
Reaching every direction.
Above and below, near and far,
May every living being be happy.
Boundless loving-kindness,
Without hatred, without fear.
No threat, no contempt, no hostility,
May compassion bring us near.
[Verse 2]
Whether small or large in body,
Thin or strong, short or tall,
Seen by us or never seen,
Near to us or far away,
Born already or seeking birth,
May every living being be safe.
Let us never wish another's suffering
Because of anger or resentment.
[Verse 3]
As a mother guards her only child,
Ready to give her life away,
So may we cultivate compassion
For every being without limit.
Not only those whom we love,
But those we struggle to understand,
Even those who have caused us pain—
May kindness gently heal the heart.
[Chorus]
Boundless loving-kindness,
Reaching every direction.
Above and below, near and far,
May every living being be happy.
Boundless loving-kindness,
Without hatred, without fear.
No threat, no contempt, no hostility,
May compassion bring us near.
[Bridge]
Standing, remain mindful.
Walking, let kindness lead.
Sitting, know the present moment.
Lying down, remember the Dhamma.
When the heart creates no enemies,
Peace begins to rise within.
When anger slowly fades away,
A peaceful world can begin.
[Final Chorus]
Boundless loving-kindness,
A life of sublime dwelling.
Love every living being without division,
Let compassion guide the world.
Boundless loving-kindness,
Without hatred, without fear.
From one heart to a million hearts,
May peace arise everywhere.
[Outro]
May every living being be happy.
May every living being be safe.
May every living being be free from suffering.
And may loving-kindness live within our hearts.
The Karaniyametta Sutta: Boundless Loving-Kindness as a Path to Inner and Social Peace
A teaching in the Khuddakapatha emphasizes the Threefold Training, honesty, gentleness, contentment, non-harm, and the cultivation of boundless loving-kindness toward all living beings.
The Karaniyametta Sutta, found in the Khuddakapatha of the Khuddaka Nikaya, Tipitaka Volume 25, presents a practical teaching on how a person seeking peace and awakening should train the mind and conduct.
The discourse begins by addressing a person who understands what is beneficial and wishes to realize the peaceful state. Such a person should cultivate the Threefold Training and develop qualities including courage, honesty, straightforwardness, gentleness, humility, and contentment.
The practitioner is also encouraged to be easy to support, have few duties, live lightly, maintain calm faculties, exercise wise self-protection, and avoid conduct that could reasonably be criticized by those who understand the Dhamma.
The teaching suggests that loving-kindness cannot be separated from ethical conduct and self-discipline. Genuine loving-kindness is not merely a pleasant feeling toward others; it must be expressed through behavior that avoids harming others and creating conflict.
At the heart of the discourse is the aspiration:
“May all beings be happy, safe, and secure.”
This loving-kindness is extended to every kind of living being—those that are fearful or confident, small or large, long or short, seen or unseen, near or far, already born or seeking birth.
The Karaniyametta Sutta further teaches that beings should not threaten or despise one another, nor should they wish suffering upon each other because of anger or hostility.
The discourse presents the powerful image of a mother willing to give her life to protect her only child. In the same way, practitioners are encouraged to develop boundless loving-kindness toward all beings.
This loving-kindness is not limited to family, friends, or those who are easy to love. It is to be extended without limit throughout the entire world—in every direction, above, below, and across—without narrowness, hatred, or hostility.
Another important element is mindfulness in every posture. A person cultivating loving-kindness should maintain this awareness while standing, walking, sitting, and lying down, for as long as they remain awake. Loving-kindness is therefore presented not simply as a meditation session but as a way of living.
The discourse describes this way of dwelling as Brahmavihara, a sublime way of living within the Buddhist discipline.
At a deeper level, the practitioner is not bound by fixed views, maintains ethical conduct, develops right understanding, and gradually abandons attachment to sensual pleasure. The teaching thus connects loving-kindness with the broader Buddhist path toward liberation.
For contemporary society, the Karaniyametta Sutta can be understood as a framework for developing a culture of coexistence without hostility. It begins with individual behavior—controlling speech, avoiding contempt, refusing to respond to anger with anger, and recognizing the well-being of others as part of a peaceful society.
The central message can therefore be expressed as follows:
Peace in the world begins with a mind free from hatred and a loving-kindness without boundaries.
The Karaniyametta Sutta is consequently more than a traditional chant for blessing. It presents a practical path connecting ethics, mindfulness, concentration, wisdom, and loving-kindness, guiding people away from the desire to defeat others and toward overcoming anger, hatred, and harmfulness within themselves.
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