(12) Mettanisamsa-gatha Sutta

(12) The next sutta is Mettanisamsa-gatha^[1], that is the ten Advantages of Friendship. These ten gathas (stanzas) recounting the beneficial effects of friendship are found in the Mugapakkha (Temiya) Jataka^[2].

1. One who does not betray his friends by being treacherous but maintains genuine friendship receives food and drink whenever he goes out of home. He will have many associates.

2. One who does not betray his friends by being treacherous but maintains genuine friendship will be honoured and respected whatever country, village or town he visits.

3. If one does not betray his friends by being treacherous but maintains genuine friendship robbers will not come to rob him. Rulers will not treat him with contempt. He will over come the enemies.

4. One who does not betray his friends by being treacherous but maintains genuine friendship returns home with unshaken mind. His unlimited virtues are expressed in public. He is treated as a person of eminence by his kinsman.

5. One who does not betray his friends by being treacherous but maintains genuine friendship entertains others and receive hospitality from them. He is praised for his virtue.

6. One who does not betray his friends by being treacherous but maintains genuine friendship is revered and honoured by his friends. He worships eminent and exalted persons and is worshipped by others. He gains fame and prosperity.

7. One who does not betray his friends by being treacherous but maintains genuine friendship will be blessed-with prosperity and followers and will shine in glory like a flame and will be radient like a celestial being. Luck and prosperity will be with him forever.

8. One who does not betray his friends by being treacherous but maintains genuine friendship will gain from cattle and his crops and will flourish. He will be blessed with children.

9. One who does not betray his friends by being treacherous but maintains genuine friendship will not be harmed by falls from mountain cliffs or tress as some thing or some one will come to his rescue in such situations.

10. One who does not betray his friends by being treacherous but maintains genuine friendship will not be defeated or harmed by enemies but will be able to be unmoved like a deep-rooted banyan tree which can not be overthrown by the wind.

This discourse, as a matter of fact, is the Buddhist doctrine of Love, which promulgates the method of practice to disseminate Love in order to attain Purity and Peace to realize finally the perfect Emancipation.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Ten advantages of friendship.

[2]:

Jataka vol. (vii. No. 538).