(11) Mettanisamsa Sutta

The next sutta is Mettanisamsa sutta^[1] —Once Lokanath Buddha was born in Savatthi for the welfare of all the people and at that time what he uttered the scripture of salvation (Parittana) for the welfare of all is as follows–

Bodhisatta at the birth as Temiyakumara was a unwilling to reign the kingdom and remained bed-ridden like a handicapped for sixteen years. He showed himself as dumb not being dumb, deaf not being deaf, lame not being lame. So his parents sent him for 16 types of trials or examination of fire, etc.

Then he thought that–Reigning for 20 years in Benaras he was matured through the fair of the hell named “ussada niraya” for thousand years. As a result of it this examination of fire was like coldness to him.

Then through a Brahmin having dividing knowledge his father came to know that there will be great calamity in his kingdom by this son. Consequently he ordered his charioteer ‘Sunanda’ that this evil son of his would be taken to woods and would live there in crematorium. When the charioteer obeying that order began to dig the hole at that time Bodhisatta told the charioteer “O charioteer! Why are you digging so quickly? I ask you what will you do digging this hole?” Then the charioteer answered that a dumb-deaf, lame and a senseless son was born in the family of the king, so at the order of the king he had come there to dig the son. Then ‘Temiya kumar’ advised him in various ways and told–

‘O Sunanda, the fruit grows-up as its tree. In the same manner I am born with the quality as the king deserves, I am like branch of a tree. As the person under the shadow of a tree you are like that. If you dig me then you will commit the sin.’ Thus through different advices inspite of identifying himself the charioteer did not believe him.

Then he started to chant ten form of mitra-puja.

Introduction of Mettanisamsa sutta.

The Mettanisamsa addressed to the disciples while the Blessed one was staying at Jetavana in Savatthi which is being donated by Anathapindika.

Then the Blessed one spoke as follows:

“Monks eleven advantages are to be expected from the release (deliverance) of heart by familiarzing oneself with thoughts of loving-kindness metta, by the cultivation of loving-kindness, by constantly increasing these thoughts, by regarding loving-kindness as a vehicle (of expression). And also as something to be treasured, by living in conformity with these thoughts, by putting these ideas into practice and by establishing them.

What are the eleven? 1. He sleeps in comfort, 2. He wakes in comfort, 3. He sees no evil dreams. 4. He is dear to human beings. 5. He is dear to non-human beings. 6. Devas (gods) protect him. 7. Fire, poison and sword can not touch him. 8. His mind can concentrate quickly. 9. His countenance is serene 10. He dies without being confused in mind. 11. If he fails to attain arahantship (the highest sanctity) here and now, he will be reborn in the brahma-world.

Those monks rejoiced at the words of the Blessed One.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The paritta text has “puttanam phalamasnati” which means, “blessed with offspring.” This is hardly compatible in the context of the stanza concerned. The original Jataka text has vuttanam phalamasnati which means, ‘the fruit of what is sown he enjoys a meaning which harmonizes with the rest of the stanza.