Karaniya Metta Sutta Questions

[Tom]

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .nymo.html:

What should be done by one skillful in good
So as to gain the State of Peace is this:

"one skillful in good"
What does it mean to be one who is skillful in good? Is this suggesting that there are certain prerequisites to beginning metta practice?

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

Yes, there are some prerequisites to fulfil before loving-kindness can be practised effectively. The Visuddhimagga begins the explanation of metta practice with several preliminary practices such as first overcoming anger by contemplating its dangers, and choosing a suitable person to send metta to. One should not begin with an enemy, nor someone of the opposite sex.

The Buddha's discourses are usually graduated with morality, concentration, and wisdom in that order. The metta sutta is no exception — the first three verses are all about preparing the ground.

1. He who is skilled in welfare, who wishes to attain that state of calm (nibbāna), should act thus: he should be able, upright, perfectly upright, obedient, gentle, and humble.

2.Contented, easily supported, with few duties, of light livelihood, with senses calmed, prudent, not impudent, not greedily attached to families.

3. He should not do the slightest thing for which other wise men might censure him. May all being be happy and secure, may they keep themselves happy!

An Exposition of the Metta Sutta.