University of Virginia Library

Karaniya metra sutra (sutta)

It is said that this sutra on loving kindness was preached by the Buddha
to 500 monks who engaged in meditation in a forest region in the Himalayas,
and were harassed by the tree deities who were forced to evacuate
their tree mansions by the monks' presence, and who were also alarmed
by their courage and goodness. The Buddha preached that the monks
should practise goodwill and compassion towards the deities (Nanamoli
1960, Ch. IX). In Thailand today, this paritta is supposed to keep demons
from displaying their horrible characteristics because of its potency.

Once again we are faced with the intriguing paradox that while antidemon
power is attributed to the paritta, the words of the sutra, as such,
say that one should practise non-violent metta, that is, one should be
diligent and upright, gentle, and should not, out of anger or resentment,
wish misery on another. A person should cherish boundless goodwill
towards others (see text in Appendix I; also Nanamoli 1960, Ch. IX;
Malalasekera 1960, Vol. II, p. 657).