Metta in the Pali language or maitri in Sanskrit means loving-kindness or compassionate love. It is the wish for all sentient beings to be well and happy. It is also referred to as boundless, or universal love – a love that transcends all barriers such as caste, colour or creed.
Metta is compared to the love of a mother towards her only child:
Just as a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life Even so let one cultivate a boundless heart towards all beings
- Metta Sutta (the Discourse on Loving-Kindness), Verse 7
The practice of metta, or loving-kindness, helps to reduce the tendencies of anger, hatred and grudges. Metta is a great healing force. It promotes the development of virtues such as compassion, altruistic joy, and equanimity. It also promotes patience, tolerance, gratitude and above all, a forgiving heart. Forgiveness is an important factor which helps in releasing emotional blockages due to grudges or remorse. When practised together with wisdom and insight, metta becomes a powerful healing force transforming us into a more caring, compassionate and sustainable community.
To promote the widespread practice of Metta and to bring like-minded people together through acts of compassionate love.
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