This is the third in a series on The Ten Paramis, based on a talk offered by
Brenda Frechette at Prescott Insight Meditation, January 27,  2026


Let’s start out this evening with chanting the Karaniya Metta Sutta
This sutta can be found in the Sutta Nipata (S.N. 1.8)

There is an oral story passed down through the ages about the circumstances under which Buddha offered the Metta sutta instructions to 500 monks (500 in these stories just means A LOT).  Buddhadhassa wrote the story down in a commentary in the 5th century.  As the story goes these 500 monks were offered this beautiful grove for their 4 month rain retreat that year.  The monks were welcomed in by the community nearby and even provided with small single meditation huts---so it seemed to be the perfect place for meditation.  BUT soon they were assailed by difficult conditions that greatly challenged their concentration and ability to meditate.  So they went to Ananda---Buddha’s main assistant and cousin—and asked for a different place to be found.  Ananda conveyed this request to Buddha, who said the monks should remain at this site---but also gave them the teaching of the Karaniya Metta Sutta.  Kariniya means “that which should be done” so this is a clear instruction by the Buddha of how to practice in difficult times and circumstances.  The Metta sutta is considered a paritta---a protection practice---and could be considered a practice to develop resilience in turbulent times.

So as we chant this sutta slowly, I would invite you to take in the instruction as the direct words of the Buddha: 

The Buddha’s Words on Loving-Kindness (English)

(Now let us chant the Buddha’s words on loving-kìndness.)
[This is what should bè done]
By one whò is skílled in gòodness and who knows the pàth of peace:
Let them bè able and úpright,
Stràightforward and gentlé ìn speech,
Humble and not concèited,
Còntented and éasily sàtisfied,
Unburdened with dùties and frugal ín thèir ways.
Peaceful and calm, ànd wise and skíllful,
Nòt proud and demánding in nàture.
Let them not dò the slíghtèst thing
That thè wise would latér rèprove,
Wishing: In gladness ànd in sáfety,
May àll beings bé àt ease.
Whatever livìng beings there mày be,
Whether thèy are wéak òr strong, omìtting none,
The great or the mìghty, medium, shórt, òr small,
The seen and the ùnseen,
Those living near and fár àway,
Those born and tò bé born,
May àll beings bé àt ease.
Let none deceivè ànòther
Or dèspise anỳ being in ánỳ state.
Let none through anger or ìll-will
Wish hárm upon anòther.
Even as à mother protects with hèr life
Her child, her ònlý child,
So with a bóundless heart
Should òne cherish all lívìng beings,
Radiating kíndness over thè entírè world,
Spreading upwards to the skíes and dòwnwàrds tò thé depths,
Outwards and unbòunded,
Frèed from hátréd and ìll-will.
Whether standing or wàlking, seated or lýìng down,
Free from dròwsiness,
One should sùstain this rècolléction.
This is said tò be thè sublíme abìding.
By not holding to fìxed views,
Thè pure-héartèd one, having clarity of vìsion,
Being freed fròm all sénse-desires,
Is not bórn ágain intò this world.

The following link will take you to the Parayana Vihara’s website and the chant book offered there:
https://parayanavihara.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Chanting-Book.pdf

These chants are provided in both Pali and translated into English by Amavarati—a western monastery in England in the Theravada Ajahn Chah tradition.  

by Brenda Frechette
A dharma talk given February 18, 2025

(As you may know, I don’t usually write out my talks, but I did get some requests for info on what I discussed on Feb 18, so I recreated it in writing.  A bit more pedantic than when I talk, but hopefully helpful!)

I’ve been in Nepal and India for the last month and just got back a week ago.  I’ll talk about that some in this talk, but I first want to acknowledge that I’ve been feeling that the world is chaotic and uncertain right now.  I stayed in touch with what was happening in the news by reading the New York Times but last night I watched the news on tv!  Perhaps seeing and hearing it through another’s tone and reaction resulted in me feeling even more anxious…so I wanted to own that and talk about how my meditation practice helps me to manage anxiety around things I don’t feel comfortable with and am unable to control. I also want to note that we make an effort in this sangha to welcome all opinions and views—but I think we do find common ground in wanting to react to distress with compassion and kindness.

Acknowledging helpfulness of Centering and prayer—and action: Following is a Thich Naht Hahn story about the Vietnamese boat people fleeing Vietnam by sea after the Vietnam War ended in 1975:

"When the crowded Vietnamese refugee boats met with storms or pirates, if everyone panicked, all would be lost. But if even one person remained centered and calm on the boat, they showed the way for everyone else to survive.”

I came across this lovely Jewish prayer recently that I found supports me in keeping grounded and not falling into crippling despair when I view the chaos in the world.  I like how it emphasizes staying centered in the storm so one has both the capacity to not turn away from difficulty and choose right action when appropriate.  It follows: