The Value of Mettā (Loving-kindness) and Its Impact on Multicultural Society · SBAM Repository

Title: The Value of Mettā (Loving-kindness) and Its Impact on Multicultural Society
Author: Ashin Nandācāra
Type: Research Paper
Format: PDF
Language: English
Subject: Buddhist Studies
Date: 2019
Place: Mandalay
Publisher: Sitagu Buddhist Academy Mandalay
Rights Holder: Sitagu Buddhist Academy Mandalay
Abstract: "Mettā" means loving-kindness based on the perspective of the teachings from religious treatises. How does the effect of Mettā work to solve problems and social works to move smooth and peaceful coexistence forward? The cooling effect of Mettā is mostly illustrated with cool water or the full moonbeam. The cool water or the full moonbeam can impact on the conflict happening somehow but it cannot make peace yet. Only with Mettā existing in the heart of the people, the peace would settle quietly. The coolest of all is real Mettā, so as there is the saying: “The best string to bind between friendships is Mettā tie; no other string is stronger than Mettā.” Only by the help of Mettā, all can make the world peaceful and happy among human societies. Nowadays, most people in the world are overwhelmed by greed, hatred and delusion for certain reasons, so it is of vital importance for a person to be endowed with Mettā to put out the fire of greed, hatred and delusion in the problems between societies or countries. Especially, the leaders of a society of a country are supposed to practice Mettā on their leadership to be more effective. Because, Mettā is the main factor to build a united multicultural society, a country of interfaith in harmony.

Keywords: Mettā (Loving-kindness), Multicultural society, Peace, Civil war, Natural resources

Item sets: SBAM Annual Seminar Proceedings 2019