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Also known as loving-kindness, mettā

' (Pali: ') is a Sanskrit term that refers to benevolence, loving-kindness, friendliness, amity, good will, and active interest in others. The term appears in various ancient and medieval Indian texts, such as the Upanishads, Jain Sutras and Buddhist Suttas. Within Buddhism, it is notably the first of the four sublime states (), one of the ten of Theravāda Buddhism, and expounded upon in the Metta Sutta.

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Maitrī
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18 sections
Contents
  • Etymology and meaning
  • Origins
  • Mettā in Buddhism
  • Mettā Meditation
  • Metta in Specific Buddhist Texts
  • ''Karaniya Metta Sutta'' (Sn 1.8)
  • ''Vatthūpama Sutta''
  • ''Patisambhidamagga Mettakatha'' (Ps. 2.4)
  • Benefits of Mettā
  • {{transliteration|sa|Maitrī}} and {{transliteration|pi|mettā}}
  • {{transliteration|pi|Mettā}} meditation research
  • Therapeutic potential
  • Meta-analysis
  • Caution and reviews
  • See also
  • Notes
  • Sources
  • External links

' (Pali: ') is a Sanskrit term that refers to benevolence, loving-kindness, friendliness, amity, good will, and active interest in others. The term appears in various ancient and medieval Indian texts, such as the Upanishads, Jain Sutras and Buddhist Suttas. Within Buddhism, it is notably the first of the four sublime states (), one of the ten of Theravāda Buddhism, and expounded upon in the Metta Sutta.

The cultivation of benevolence () is a popular form of Buddhist meditation. It is a part of the four immeasurables in (divine abidings) meditation. as "compassion meditation" is often practiced in Asia by broadcast chanting, wherein monks chant for the laity.

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