Metta

“On one occasion, some five hundred bhikkhus (monks), after obtaining an object of meditation from the Buddha went into the Himalayan forest to practise meditation. Initially, the devas residing in the trees tolerated their presence, but as they learnt that the bhikkhus would not leave so soon, the devas made fearful sights and sounds at night to frighten the bhikkhus so that they would go away. The bhikkhus were so disturbed that they got sick and could not make any progress in their meditation. They decided to leave the place and reported their experiences to the Buddha.

After surveying, the Buddha found no other suitable location for them to practise meditation than that very forest. Therefore the Buddha advised them to return to the forest and taught them the Metta Sutta as an object of meditation, as well as for their protection. Those bhikkhus returned to the forest, chanted the Metta Sutta, and practised Metta meditation. By doing so, the devas then had goodwill towards the bhikkhus and looked after them. At the end of the Rains Retreat (Vassa), all the five hundred bhikkhus attained Arahantship.”

“He who is skilled in good, and wishes to attain that state of Peace, should act thus: he should be able, upright, perfectly upright, amenable to corrections, gentle and humble.
He should be contented, easy to support, unbusy, simple in livelihood, with senses controlled, discreet, not impudent, and not greedily attached to families.

He would not commit any slight misdeeds that other wise men might find fault in him. May all beings be well and safe, may their hearts rejoice. Whatever beings there are — weak or strong, long or short, big, medium-sized or small, subtle or gross,
Those visible or invisible, residing near or far, those that have come to be or have yet to come, (without exceptions) may all beings be joyful.

Let one not deceive nor despise another person, anywhere at all.
In anger and ill-will, let him not wish any harm to another.
Just as a mother would protect her only child with her own life,
even so, let him cultivate boundless thoughts of loving kindness towards all beings.

Let him cultivate boundless thoughts of loving kindness towards the whole world — above, below and all around, unobstructed, free from hatred and enmity.
Whether standing, walking, seated or lying down, as long as he is awake, he should develop this mindfulness.
This they say, is the divine abiding here.

Not erroneous with views, endowed with virtues and insight,
with sensual desires abandoned, he would come no more to be conceived in a womb.”