Sacred Sunday - Post #3 . . . LOVE

I went to a rally for the Burmese people yesterday. We chanted The Karaniya Metta Sutta - The Buddha's Discourse on Loving Kindness which follows:

This is what should be done
By one who is skilled in goodness
Having glimpsed the state of perfect peace,
Let them be able, honest and upright,
Gentle in speech, meek and not proud.

Contented and easy to support,
With few duties, and simple in living,
Tranquil in their senses, masterful and modest,
without greed for supporters.

Also, let them not do the slightest thing
That the wise would later reprove.
Let them cultivate the thought:
May all be well and secure,
May all beings be happy.

Whatever living creatures there be
Without exception, weak or strong,
Long, huge or middle-sized,
Or short, minute or bulky,

Whether visible or invisible
And those living far or near,
The born and those seeking birth,
May all beings be happy.

Let none deceive another
Or despise any being in any state;
Let none wish others harm
in resentment or in hate.

Just as with her own life
A mother shields her child,
her only child, from hurt
Let all-embracing thoughts
For all beings be yours.

Cultivate a limitless heart of goodwill
For all throughouut the cosmos
in all its height, depth and breadth -
Love that is untroubled
And beyond hatred or enmity.

As you stand, walk, sit or lie,
As long as you are awake
Pursue this awareness with your might:
It is deemed the Diving Abiding - here and now.

Holding no more to wrong views,
A pure-hearted one, having clarity
of vision, being freed from all sense desires,
Is not born again into this world.