doodoot, it would be self-centred to cling to one's life in a situation where sacrificing one's life to save another is called for. this is my standpoint, and it may not be resolved by just referring to the texts
this is also why i referred to the jātaka, where the bodhisatta sacrifices himself
so, why would one sacrifice their life to cultivate mettā instead of sacrificing their life as a result of love and care for another's wellbeing
this is the complete opposite of how i render this sutta
'humble, easily supported, and [again] not conceited', it is all about diminishing self-view
for the record, here is ven thanissaro's translation:
"As a mother would risk her life
to protect her child, her only child,
even so should one cultivate a limitless heart
with regard to all beings."
https://obo.genaud.net/dhamma-vinaya/at ... an.ati.htm
the first sutta i was going to share was abhaya sutta to substantiate my interpretation.
mother just as her son, her only son, with her own life would guard, even so with regard to all beings, state of mind [one] should develop without boundaries
or
mother just as her son, her only son, with her own life would guard, even so, state of mind with regard to all beings [one] should develop without boundaries
i'll have to look at it later if at all, it is interesting nonetheless to receive this alternate interpretation. i wouldn't say ven ñāṇananda was a pop culture buddhist