Entering the final discourse that completes the three important protective suttas, the Karaniya Metta Sutta (also known as Metta Sutta, Karaṇīyamettā Sutta or Karaniya Metta Sutra) is a discourse on loving kindness by the Blessed One that should be chanted after the Mangala Sutta, a discourse on blessings, and the Ratana Sutta, a discourse on jewels respectively.
Let’s go through the Karaniya Metta Sutta Pali verses and learn how to apply this Karaniya Metta Sutta chanting in our daily life to reap the benefits of the prayer.
What is Karaniya Metta Sutta Pali Text About?
In the Theravāda commentarial tradition, the Karaṇīya Metta Sutta is said to have been taught after a group of monks were disturbed by hostile tree-devas while meditating in a forest. The Buddha instructed them to cultivate and recite metta as both a meditative object and a protective practice, restoring harmony and enabling the monks to complete their training.
Also read: Greed, Hatred and Ignorance: The Three Poisons of Buddhism
Karaniya Metta Sutta Meaning Explained
Here’s the Karaniya Metta Sutta chanting in Pali and Karaniya Metta Sutta in English explanation:
He who is skilled in whatever suitable to him and who wishes to attain that state of calmness should be able to possess upright, obedient, gentle and humble.
Able to feel contented, easily supportable and independent with appropriate tasks which have right livelihood, well balanced in senses, careful and prudent in one’s speech and not imprudent or polite. Also not greedily attached to family.
He should not commit any wrong doing which other wise men might censure him. He should also think to radiate compassion to all beings and wish for their hearts to be secure and happy.
Whatever living beings who may feel feeble or strong, long, stout or medium, short, small or large, seen or unseen and those dwelling far or near, those who are born and yet to be born — may all these beings without exception be able to achieve happiness.
Let no one deceive one another nor despise any person in any place, despite being in anger or in ill will. Let no harm befall them.
Like how a mother would risk her own life just to protect her own child, may one cultivate such a boundless loving heart towards all beings.
Let his heart that is filled with loving kindness be felt across the three worlds with no obstruction, hatred nor enmity.
He should develop this mindfulness of loving kindness at all moments of waking life, as loving kindness is considered a divine practice.
He should not simply believe other people’s views, but should strive to be virtuous and use insight in his judgment to avoid erroneous views. He gives up attachment to sensual desires and upon achieving that state, he does not come again into the mother’s womb.
Also read: Concept of Death
How to Apply the Karaniya Metta Sutta Pali Chanting to Reap Its Benefits
The Karaniya Metta Sutta is the last discourse in the three important protective suttas recommended for daily chanting. The usual practice is to chant the Karaniyametta Sutta after the Mangala Sutta and Ratana Sutta once in the morning, and once in the evening before sunset.
The Karaniya Metta Sutta Pali chanting takes around 5 minutes or less to complete reciting the prayer. With consistent chanting of this sutta, it will help to build an aura of metta or loving kindness gradually within. When one is able to radiate such an aura, this will help to cushion untoward occurrences or bad luck in life.
Not only that, but chanting the Karaniya Metta Sutra also helps with one’s cultivation on loving kindness, which is one of the virtues heavily emphasized by both Theravada and Mahayana schools of Buddhism that one should inculcate towards a fruitful spiritual cultivation.
Also read: How to Create An Effective Prayer
Final Thoughts
As the final discourse completing the three important protective suttas, the Karaṇīya Metta Sutta guides one from receiving blessings and refuge toward the cultivation of a wholesome inner state. Chanted after the Mangala Sutta and Ratana Sutta, it reminds us that true protection is not merely sought externally, but is gradually established through the sincere development of loving-kindness.
Through regular chanting and mindful reflection on its verses, the Karaṇīya Metta Sutta supports the steady cultivation of metta in daily life. When loving-kindness becomes a habitual mental quality, it naturally brings harmony to one’s surroundings and serves as a gentle support for spiritual growth, a principle upheld across both Theravāda and Mahāyāna traditions.
Interested to chant the Metta Sutta? Join us at Poh Ern Si Penang as we hold monthly Sunday devotional chanting service – contact us to learn more!