Anxiety and distress: prayers in Buddhism

Texts from their published editions. Guidance on what this tradition does at this moment is on the occasion page, and background on the tradition is at /traditions/buddhist.

Texts from their published editions

Each text below was transcribed from the edition named under it and checked twice, independently, against that edition. Where the two transcriptions disagreed by even one character, the text is not shown here. That is a claim about wording only: these are not selected or endorsed for any particular situation, and nobody credentialed in the tradition has signed them. Older spelling is kept as the edition prints it.

Karaniya Metta Sutta (Fausboll 1881)

A ten-verse Pali discourse from the Suttanipata, opening "Karaniyam attha kusalena", setting out the conduct and the boundless goodwill a practitioner extends to all beings. It is one of the core paritta (protective recitation) texts across Theravada Asia, chanted at blessings, at sickbeds, at funerals, and used as the base instruction for metta meditation. Recited in Pali by monastics and laity alike.

English · The Sacred Books of the East, Vol. X: The Dhammapada and Sutta-Nipata, 1881

Whatever is to be done by one who is skilful in seeking (what is) good, having attained that tranquil state (of Nibbana): — Let him be able and upright and conscientious and of soft speech, gentle, not proud,

And contented and easily supported and having few cares, unburdened and with his senses calmed and wise, not arrogant, without (showing) greediness (when going his round) in families.

And let him not do anything mean for which others who are wise might reprove (him); may all beings be happy and secure, may they be happy-minded.

Whatever living beings there are, either feeble or strong, all either long or great, middle-sized, short, small or large,

Either seen or which are not seen, and which live far (or) near, either born or seeking birth, may all creatures be happy-minded.

Let no one deceive another, let him not despise (another) in any place, let him not out of anger or resentment wish harm to another.

As a mother at the risk of her life watches over her own child, her only child, so also let every one cultivate a boundless (friendly) mind towards all beings.

And let him cultivate goodwill towards all the world, a boundless (friendly) mind, above and below and across, unobstructed, without hatred, without enmity.

Standing, walking or sitting or lying, as long as he be awake, let him devote himself to this mind; this (way of) living they say is the best in this world.

He who, not having embraced (philosophical) views, is virtuous, endowed with (perfect) vision, after subduing greediness for sensual pleasures, will never again go to a mother's womb.

V. Fausboll and F. Max Muller. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1881. Published 1881, before 1929, US public domain, and both translators died before 1929. Source

Wording and scope vary between editions and between communities, so this entry is tied to one named edition and makes no claim about which form is right in a given setting.

Nothing here has been signed by a reviewer credentialed in this tradition. When that happens, reviewed prayers appear above these, and these stay where they are, as an anthology. How that works.