"The Power of Metta—Loving-Kindness"

         I have been asked by the Zurich Buddhist Vihara (ZBV) to contribute an article on Dhamma on the auspicious occasion of Vesak 2550.  Although I am no authority on Buddhism, it is an honour and a privilege for me to present my perception on the power of Metta or Loving Kindness having gone through the experience of spreading Metta to all beings throughout my life.

         Being devout Buddhists, my elders have always stressed and taught me on harbouring Metta for all beings.  However, I must admit that my appreciation and embracement  of Metta came to light only some two decades ago.

         It is through Metta that the Lord Buddha achieved the eight glorious victories.

         Just to refresh our minds, the eight glorious victories of Buddha were:-

·        Defeating Mara who challenged the Bodhisatha to prevent

enlightenment

·        Taming the celestial orgre, Alavaka

·        Subduing the fierce elephant, Nalagiri

·        Overcoming the cruel man, Angulimala

·        Exposing the tricks of the beautiful, Cinca Manavika

·        Making the hermit Saccaka answer the Buddha's question in debate

·        Subduing the celestial dragon, Nandopananda

·        Expounding a doctrine to Brahma Baka in the higher celestial plane

In the Suttas, we recite Metta Sutta in order to spread loving-kindness to all beings in the thirty-one levels of existence, irrespective of whether you know them or not; irrespective of whether they harbour goodwill for or ill-will against you.  If you send Metta to someone, that metta is bound to flow back to you in due time.  Through Metta, reconciliation between two adversaries can be achieved bringing peace and harmony, friendship and prosperity between them.  Such is the power of Metta.

The world today is beset with animosities among nations and peoples.  Hatred results in more hatred.  It brings untold suffering and destruction.  The answer for peace and harmony, stability and prosperity, amity and goodwill to prevail on earth is the practice and spread of Metta.

Each morning after I wake up and each evening before I retire to bed, it has become a rite for me to recite the Metta Sutta disseminating my Metta for the happiness and well-being of everyone in the thirty-one planes of existence.  If you are able to spread your Metta to a specific individual, so much the better.  You will soon realise the power and effectiveness of Metta sent to specific beings for they will reciprocate their Metta to you.

         The Mingun Sayadaw, the Venerable U Vicittasarabhivamsa has guided us to a very simple way to disseminate Metta to all beings in the ten directions.  According to his way, we radiate Metta to everyone in all directions in the following manner:-

              The infinite universes and the infinite beings located in the East;

·        May you be free from all dangers,

·        May you cease your angers,

·        May your sufferings cease,

·        May your heart and mind enjoy peace and serenity.

You then repeat the same verses for the directions West, North, South, Southeast, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest bringing a total of eight directions.

         For the remaining two directions, viz. one below your level of existence and the other higher than your level of existence, you send Metta as follows:-

         The infinite universes and the infinite beings located below;

·        May you be free from all dangers,

·        May you cease your anger,

·        May your sufferings cease,

·        May your heart and mind enjoy peace and serenity.

The infinite universes and the infinite spiritual beings and Brahmas located above;

·        May you be free from all dangers,

·        May you cease your anger,

·        May your sufferings cease,

·        May your heart and mind enjoy peace and serenity.

When I finish reciting the Metta Sutta as well as the Mingun Sayadaw's verses on sending Metta, I feel extremely happy and satisfied that whoever required my Metta has received it.

Once, I was in a forest on a picnic together with friends.  While my friends were preparing food, I had a strong urge to recite the Metta-Sutta.  I felt like as though some beings in the forest wanted to receive my Metta.  I was compelled to radiate Metta through the recitations of the Metta Sutta, after which I felt so elated and happy that my Metta had reached its destination.

But I must emphasize that the following conditions must be observed and met when spreading Metta:-

·        You must really habour goodwill and good intention for the recipient

·        The recipient must accept the Metta without any doubt on the part of the sender

So, try and practice Metta to all beings in the ten directions and in the thirty-one levels of existence.  You will find that you have friends everywhere you go; you will be able to entertain friendly relations with anybody.  You will surely be surprised to discover and benefit from the power of Metta.

May auspiciousness be upon you!

Nyunt Maung Shein

Ambassador/Permanent Representative

Union of Myanmar

Geneva