Loving Kindness

138. LIFE RULE

“Is there any one maxim which ought to be acted upon throughout one’s whole life? Surely the maxim of loving kindness is such.”

CONFUCIUS (551–479BCE), CHINA

139. THE NINTH PARAMITA

Loving kindness (metta) means “good will” in all our actions. If in all circumstances we behave with our hearts uncomplicated by our own desires, sending out good wishes and love to all beings, our actions will be kind and helpful in the deepest sense.

140. KINDNESS IS BEST

“You can accomplish by kindness what you cannot by force.”

PUBLILIUS SYRUS (1ST CENTURY BCE), ITALY

141. FELLOW SOLDIERS

“Always be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle.”

PLATO (C.427–C.347BCE), GREECE

142. CARE FOR THE ELDERLY

The future Buddha was born as a young man named Sama, who cared lovingly for his forest-dwelling ascetic parents, who were aged and blind. One day, while fetching water from a pool, Sama was accidentally shot and killed by the arrow of a king who was out hunting in the forest. However, Sama’s merit was so great that he came back to life, and even his parents’ eyesight was restored.

THE SAMA JATAKA

143. THE METTA SUTTA

Even as a Mother protects with her life her child, her only child, in such a way with a boundless heart we should cherish all living beings; radiating goodwill over the entire world: upward into the skies, downward into the depths; outward without limit, unburdened by hatred, ill will, and holding fixed views.

144. SHE WHO SAVES

Tara unites the energy of all the Buddhas. She is closely associated with Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of universal compassion (see page 106), who is dedicated to helping all sentient beings reach enlightenment. According to one Tibetan story, Tara was born from one of Avalokiteshvara’s tears at seeing the suffering of sentient beings. Tara’s Tibetan name (Sgrol-ma) translates as “She who saves”.