RECOMMENDED DAILY Metta PRACTICE

[Jundo]

May I deeply and honestly practice the four Bodhisattva vows and atonement with magnanimity, love, and joy

May I be humble and kind today

May I lend a hand today

...

Those are really good affirmations, Tom!

I am going to look at them more closely, and maybe we can even make something like this part of our recommended daily Liturgy practice. Lovely!

RECOMMENDED 'At Home' Liturgy

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?193-RECOMMENDED-At-Home-Liturgy

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

[Jundo]

Some interesting insights on Metta from a scholar's paper. First, on definition of the word itself:

In the text Atthasālinī, Buddhaghosa explains the meaning of the word mettā using the example of the verb “mejjati” ... , which means “love” or “like.” He also defines friendship as mettā. Thus, mettā is a term that can have various meanings such as friendship, goodwill, fellowship, harmony, non-aggression, and non-violence. This is described in the Suttanipāta and the Khuddaka-pātha: “May all beings be happy and secure; may they be inwardly happy!”

He contrasts Metta, loving-kindness, in Buddhism with Compassion (Karuna) in Buddhism:

In the Theravāda commentaries, “loving-kindness” is explained in contrast to “compassion” (karunā):

“In order to ‘make [sentient beings] happy’, the desire to bring [to one’s fellow man] that which is beneficial and good is loving-kindness.”

“‘Oh! Indeed, may [sentient beings] be free from suffering’; therefore, the desire to remove strife and sorrow [from fellow humans’ lives] is compassion.”

In the Mahayana, we might say that Compassion is the desire for others to have insight into Emptiness, and thus to be free of the basic existential suffering of "Dukkha," while Metta is more for their earthly and bodily health and happiness.

Also, it is not wrong from one to wish Metta to oneself, but attitude matters:

Here we can see clearly that loving-kindness is “neighborly love” or “true love for others.” However, the Buddha teaches that in order to love others, you must love yourself first. In other words, while the Buddha acknowledges instinctive self-love, he teaches that in order to truly benefit oneself, one must not harm other beings. ... This kind of love for a neighbor or true love for others actually begins with attakāma or atta-piya, which means “self-love.” Self-love is often confused with selfishness, individualism, and narcissism, but in fact, it is extremely natural and not bad at all. If a human being does not have a loving heart, he cannot survive the harsh natural environment or face the fierce competition for survival. Rather, self-love enables survival, reproduction, and human cultural development. Thus, biologically and socially, self-love is essential. However, if your love turns to selfishness that simply loves only the self and does not care for others, it becomes a problem.

from: Self-Immolation in Early Indian Buddhism by KIM HAN-SANG
https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/...eself%20ablaze.

Gassho, J

STLah

[WorkerB]

b.
st

[Shoshin]

Would it be a terrible unorthodoxy and a "sacrilege" to compose some music for the Metta verses and to sing it in different places?
The idea is to teach it, to make it easier to remember and to inspire people that are not familiar with it to start using it.
Does the idea have unbearable wowo "new-agey" vibes?
Likewise, what about eventually composing music for poems written by zen masters?

Gassho,
Ester
Satlah

[Jundo]

Would it be a terrible unorthodoxy and a "sacrilege" to compose some music for the Metta verses and to sing it in different places?
The idea is to teach it, to make it easier to remember and to inspire people that are not familiar with it to start using it.
Does the idea have unbearable wowo "new-agey" vibes?
Likewise, what about eventually composing music for poems written by zen masters?

Gassho,
Ester
Satlah

I feel that others have done so in Asia, and I don't see why not. Here is a version by the Chinese-Malaysian composer Imee Ooi. The do a much more detailed, longer chant than we do, and our tends to emphasize "contentment" rather than "happiness" ...

Here is another version, by a monk from Sri Lanka, Bhante Indarathana
.

Gassho, J
stlah

[Shoshin]

I feel that others have done so in Asia, and I don't see why not. Here is a version by the Chinese-Malaysian composer Imee Ooi. The do a much more detailed, longer chant than we do, and our tends to emphasize "contentment" rather than "happiness" ...

Here is another version, by a monk from Sri Lanka, Bhante Indarathana
.

Gassho, J
stlah

Thanks!!
Gassho,
Ester
Satlah