Brahmaviharas (Metta Karuna Mudita Upekkha)
Sublime States (Loving Kindness Compassion Sympathetic Joy Equanimity)

Updated 31 May 2025

Brahmaviharas (Metta Karuna Mudita Upekkha)
Sublime States (Loving Kindness Compassion Sympathetic Joy Equanimity)

By Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Jacquetta Gomes
BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada)

Internationally renowned Sri Lankan Buddhist Monk Venerable Narada Maha Thera (1898–1983) was an expert in metta [loving kindness] meditation. He was the author of the classic book The Buddha and His Teachings in whichChapter 42 is The Sublime States [Brahma Viharas]. He gave me Panca Sila [Five Precepts] and the Buddhist name Upasika Jayasili in Sri Lanka in July 1975. He also taught me metta [loving kindness] meditation. When I approached his Monastery to meet him, I felt metta [loving kindness] coming out of the monastery into the street from him. Years later I mentioned this to Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Mahanayaka Thera who commented that when people seriously practice metta [loving kindness], this changes them and this change can be sensed by others who are sensitive to this. This first really strong experience of metta [loving kindness] from a wonderful Monk transformed my life. I realized I needed to try to develop metta [loving kindness] to the best of my abilities.

One of the most senior Theravada Buddhist Monks in the world Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Mahanayaka Thera Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru Aggamaha Pandita DLitt DLitt (1896-1998) gave me the Bodhicari Precepts in London in August 1994. I was the first person to take the Bodhicari Precepts outside the USA. Bodhicaris can be defined as “practitioners of the Buddha Dhammawho have attainment of enlightenment as their goal”. In Pali the feminine form is Bodhicarini. The BodhicariPrecepts are an expansion of Ajivatthamaka Sila [Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth] and Panca Sila [Five Precepts]. The 10th Precepts is Sabba sattesu metta sahagatena cetasa viharana sikkhapadam samadiyami [I undertake the Precept to live every moment with loving-kindness to all living beings]. This Precept is based on Navanga UposathaSila [Nine Uposatha Precepts] with loving-kindness as the ninth.

TheBodhicari Precepts

  1. Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the Precept to refrain from killing and injuring living things
    2) Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the Precept to refrain from taking that which is not given
    3) Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the Precept to refrain from sexual misconduct and excessive sensuality
    4) Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the Precept to refrain from false and harmful speech
    5) Pisuna vaca veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the Precept to refrain from backbiting
    6) Pharusa vaca veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the Precept to refrain from using harsh or abusive speech
    7) Samphappalapa veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the Precept to refrain from useless or meaningless conversation
    8) Sura – meraya – majja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the Precept to refrain from drink and drugs which fuddle the mind and reduce mindfulness
    9) Micchajiva veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the Precept to refrain from wrong means of livelihood
    10) Sabba sattesu metta sahagatena cetasa viharana sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the Precept to live every moment with loving-kindness to all living beings
    11) Yavajivam aham ratanattayam na niggahissami tatheva tam samadarena garukaram karissamiti sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the Precept not to revile the Three Treasures [the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha] but to cherish and uphold them
    12) Karunopaya kosalla pariggahitanam dasaparaminam paripurana sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the Precept to practise the Ten Perfections with compassion and skill
    Imani dvadasa sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake these twelve Precepts with full sincerity

I was authorized to teach The Dhamma by Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Mahanayaka Thera in 1983, and by Venerable Hammalawa Saddhatissa Maha Thera Chief Sangha Nayaka of the UK and Europe (1914-1990) in 1984. Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa presented me with a Sangha [Community of Buddhist Monks] Authorized Dhamma Teacher badge, and a cream sash presented to those who have taken the Ajivatthamaka Sila [Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth] for life at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester’s Vesak Celebration in May 2006.

I have taught alongside Monks at meditation retreats at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, and at LBV London Buddhist Vihara (the oldest Theravada Buddhist Vihara in the UK). I have also taught meditation classes at London Buddhist Vihara. This often involved teaching metta [loving kindness] meditation.

I have been a member of The Buddhist Society London(founded in 1924 and celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024, and the oldest Buddhist organisation in England)since the mid-1970s. I taught the Introducing Buddhism course at The Buddhist Society London. This included giving talks about the Four Brahma Viharas [Sublime States/ Divine Abodes] metta [loving kindness], karuna [compassion], mudita [sympathetic joy] and upekkha [equanimity]. I was the joint author with Venerable Dr Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Mahanayaka Thera of the booklet Introducing Buddhism, which was written to accompany the course. Introducing Buddhism has been published in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, UK and USA, and is available online on websites including Google Books, Access to Insight and Internet Archive. This booklet includes both The Metta Sutta [The Discourse on Loving Kindness] and an explanation the Four Brahma Viharas [Sublime States/ Divine Abodes].

BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) was founded in September 1991. I was one of the founders. Venerable Dr Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Mahanayaka Thera and Bhante Henepola Gunaratana Maha Thera (an internationally respected meditation master and author who has been resident in the USA for many years) agreed to become BGKT’s founder spiritual advisors. Bhante Gunaratana often uses loving friendliness as his translation of metta instead of loving kindness since the Pali word metta comes from the Pali word mitta which translates as friend. When I have attended meditation sessions and retreats Bhante Gunaratana has taught, he always started with metta [loving kindness] meditation to ensure the mind was in the correct frame of mind to meditate. We follow this this in BGKT. Teachings in BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada)’s Open Meetings are based on Mindfulness in Plain English, Loving-Kindness in Plain English, Start Here, Start Now: A Short Guide to Mindfulness Meditation and The In Plain English series by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana published by Wisdom Experience.

I have taught at BGKT and also at Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravada). This has included teaching metta [loving kindness] meditation and giving talks about the Four Brahma Viharas Sublime States/Divine Abodes:

Metta Loving Kindness
Karuna Compassion
Mudita Sympathetic Joy
Upekkha Equanimity

In BGKT we recognise that metta [loving kindness] assists the development of sila [ethics/morality] and meditation and mental development.

BGKT members including me, have written articles about metta [loving kindness] for Buddhist and interfaith magazines.

I have been involved in interfaith since the early 1980s. I am the WFDEIP Westmorland and Furness Diversity Equity and Inclusion Partnership Lead for Interfaith and Multifaith. I attend local interfaith forum committee meetings. I am a WCF World Congress of Faiths Member. Members of BGKT including myself, have frequently chanted or read the Metta Sutta [The Discourse on Loving Kindness] at interfaith events and services.

Together with Upasaka Sumedha and Upasaka Dhammika from BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada), I led the Prayers before the Kendal Town Council Meeting chaired by the then Mayor of Kendal on Monday 12 April 2010. We chanted the Metta Sutta [The Discourse on Loving Kindness] in Pali, and UpasakaSumedha read it in English. We also presented a wooden Buddha Rupa [statue] to the May, for the Mayor’s Parlour in Kendal Town Hall. As far as we are aware, BGKT was the first Buddhist Group to chant a Sutta before a Council meeting in England.

I was included in Burkes’s Landed Gentry, Volume III, England’s Northwest including Contemporary People of Distinction (2006) as a Contemporary Person of Distinction in recognition of my religious work. The then Mayor of Kendal requested that a Pali Buddhist Blessing Ceremony be conducted for the Mayor’s Parlour in Kendal Town Hall to celebrate this achievement. This Ceremony in October 2007 included chanting the Metta Sutta [The Discourse on Loving Kindness].

In 2009 the three Theravada Buddhist Groups in Cumbria (Carlisle, Kendal and Keswick) started CMDM Cumbria Moon Day Meditation to enable us meditate at the same time 7-9 pm on the uposatha four moon days (Full, New and Half Moon). Those who wish to do so meditate at home, supported by other meditators in Cumbria who are doing the same. In BGKT we used CMDM to developed the practice of Navanga UposathaSila [Nine Uposatha Precepts]. A Burmese lady who used to live in Kendal and attended our Group introduced the Navanga UposathaSila [Nine Uposatha Precepts] where a Ninth Precept of metta [loving kindness] meditation is added. The 9th Precept is Metta Saha gatena cetasa, sabba pana bhutesu mnasam pharitva viharanam samadiyami [I undertake the rule of training to stay with a tranquil mind infused with volition of love unto all living creatures]. The eight UposathaPrecepts can be seen as negative and metta [loving kindness] helps develop a positive state of mind. The Navanga UposathaSila [Nine Uposatha Precepts] are included in Bhikkhu Bodhi’s The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: A translation of the Anguttara Nikaya as 18(8) Loving-Kindness on pages 1271- 1273. His note 1875 on page 1822 is “An expanded parallel of 8:41 [uposatha], the eight precepts augmented by the meditation on loving-kindness”. The Navanga UposathaSila [Nine Uposatha Precepts] are described in The Book of the Gradual Sayings (Anguttara-Nikaya, or More Numbered Suttas, Volume IV The Book of the Nines, viii (18) Amity pages 259 -260. The Pali Commentary to this Sutta states “Loving-kindness meditation is included in accordance with the temperament of the people to be guided”.

In 2014 Sakyadhita [International Association of Buddhist Women] acknowledged me as the first Buddhist Fire Chaplain in the world. Through my role as a Fire Chaplain, I have come into contact with many people who practice secular mindfulness including the friendliness practice which is a secular version of metta [loving kindness] meditation. This is a very important development as it ensures that benefits of metta [loving kindness] are also obtained by those who have not chosen to follow the Buddhist path.

Ever since my first meeting with Venerable Narada Maha Thera I have understood that metta [loving kindness] is central to the Buddhist path. My interactions with Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya and Bhante Henepola Gunaratana strengthened this. I try to follow their example.

Bibliography

Articles

Navanga Uposatha – The Nine Uposatha Precepts”, Jacquetta Gomes, Lotus: the Lay Review and Newsletter of the Birmingham Buddhist Vihara, Issue 24 (Autumn 2007) page 6.
http://www.birminghambuddhistvihara.org/vihara/
http://www.birminghambuddhistvihara.org/path/lotus-publications/

Prayer and Meditation: Loving-Kindness”, Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada), Faith Initiative: Embracing Diversity, Issue 10 (Autumn 2003), page14.
https://faithinitiative.co.uk/
https://faithinitiative.co.uk/issues/

“Reflections on Meditation: Buddhist Meditation”, The Buddhist Group of Kendal, Interreligious Insight a Journal of Dialogue and Engagement [published by World Congress of Faiths Common Engagement Project], 6(4) (October, 2008) 56-59.
https://worldfaiths.org/
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/35518084/reflections-on-meditation-interreligious-insight/4

BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) Website

Weblinkhttps://www.buddhistgroupofkendal.co.uk/

CMDM Cumbria Moon Day Meditation
Weblinkhttps://www.buddhistgroupofkendal.co.uk/cmdm-cumbria-moon-day-meditation/

Books

Aronson, Harvey B. Love and Sympathy in Theravada Buddhism. 1980. (Delhi India, MLBD Motilal Banarsidass Publishers). (ISBN 81-209-1403-7)
Available at https://books.google.com/

Balangoda Ananda Maitreya, Venerable, and Jayasili (Jacquetta Gomes). Introducing Buddhism. 2007. (Taipei Taiwan, The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation) (Book code EN074) (This includes the booklet: Requirements and Ceremonies for the Five Precepts (Panca Sila), The Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth (Ajivatthamaka Sila), Dhamma Teachers Certificate, issued by the Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) and Ketumati Buddhist Vihara at Wesak 2006)
Available at https://budaedu.org/en/
https://budaedu.org/en/downloads/
https://www-old.budaedu.org/book-img/CoverL/EN074.jpg
https://ftp.budaedu.org/ebooks/pdf/EN074.pdf
https://archive.org/details/introducingbuddh03vene/mode/2up
https://archive.org/details/introducing-buddhism-bgkt-ven-balangodanandamaitreya-jayasili-jacquettagomes
https://archive.org/details/introducing-buddhism-bgkt-ven-balangodanandamaitreya-jayasili-jacquettagomes/page/n1/mode/2up
Available at https://books.google.com/

Mahasi Sayadaw, Venerable. Brahmavihara Dhamma (Divine Abidings), Rangoon Burma/Myanmar,1985.
Available on Buddhist eLibrary website
https://www.buddhistelibrary.org/library/view.php?adpath=70
Also available on BuddhaNet website
https://www.buddhanet.net/
https://www.buddhanet.net/ebooks/
https://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/brahmavihara.pdf  

Pesala, Bhikkhu. An Exposition of the Metta Sutta. 20??. (Alperton, Association for Insight Meditation).
Available at https://www.aimwell.org/
Available at https://www.aimwell.org/expositionofmetta.html

Salzberg,Sharon. Loving-Kindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness. 2002.Shambala Classics. (Boston Massachusetts USA, Shambala Publications). (ISBN 1-57062-903-X)
https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/lovingkindness/

Sujiva, Venerable. Loving-kindness Meditation.
Available on BuddhaNet website
https://www.buddhanet.net/
https://www.buddhanet.net/ebooks/
https://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/allmetta.pdf

Walpola Piyananda, Bhante. Love in Buddhism. (Los Angeles USA, Dharma Vijaya Publications). (2013).
2016 reprint. Reprinted by The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan. (Book code EN382).
https://archive.org/details/love-in-buddhism-bhante-walpola-piyananda
https://ia804501.us.archive.org/2/items/love-in-buddhism-bhante-walpola-piyananda/Love%20in%20Buddhism%20-%20Bhante%20Walpola%20Piyananda_text.pdf
https://buddhistuniversity.net/content/booklets/love-in-buddhism_piyananda
http://www-old.budaedu.org/book-img/CoverL/EN382.jpg
http://ftp.budaedu.org/ebooks/pdf/EN382.pdf

Dictionaries

Buddhist Dictionary: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines. Nyanatiloka, Venerable. 2004. (5th revised edition) (Kandy, Sri Lanka, BPS Buddhist Publication Society (ISBN 955-24-0019-8) (Current ISBN 978-974-9511-30-5).
https://www.bps.lk/olib/bp/bp601s_Nyanatiloka_Buddhist-Dictonary.pdf

The Pali Text Society’s Pali-English Dictionary. Edited by T. W. Rhys Davids and William Stede (London, Luzac for the PTS Pali Text Society). (ISBN: 978-0-86013-503-6).
1921-1925 edition available online via the Pali Text Society website
https://palitextsociety.org/product/pali-english-dictionary/

Bhante Henepola Gunaratana Maha Thera (1927-)

Bhante Henepola Gunaratana was one of the Founder Spiritual Advisors to BGKT in 1991.
Weblinkhttps://www.buddhistgroupofkendal.co.uk/spiritual-advisors-venerable-balangoda-ananda-maitreya-and-bhante-henepola-gunaratana/

Teachings in Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) BGKT’s Open Meetings are based on Mindfulness in Plain English, Loving-Kindness in Plain English, Start Here, Start Now: A Short Guide to Mindfulness Meditation and The In Plain English series by Buddhist Monk Bhante Henepola Gunaratana published by Wisdom Experience. His books include explanations of the Brahmaviharas especially metta.

Books by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

Bhante Gunaratana
https://wisdomexperience.org/content-author/bhante-gunaratana/
https://wisdomexperience.org/bhante-g/

Beyond Mindfulness in Plain English. Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. 2009. (Boston USA Wisdom Publications). (ISBN 9780861715299)
Chapter 4 Wishing the Best for Yourself and Others
https://wisdomexperience.org/product/beyond-mindfulness-plain-english/

Bhavana Vandana: Devotions for Meditation. Compiled by Bhante H. Gunaratana Maha Thera. 2008 (Revised edition). (High View West Virginia USA Bhavana Society).
Metta Bhavana Developing Loving-Friendliness pages 84-85
Karaniyametta Sutta Discourse on Loving-Friendliness pages 46-47
Khandhaparitta Sutta The Protection of Loving-Friendliness pages 88-89
Mettanisamsa Sutta Discourse on the Benefits of Loving-Friendliness pages 86-87
https://bhavanasociety.org/
https://bhavanasociety.org/resources/ 
Available at Internet Archive San Francisco California USA
https://archive.org/
https://archive.org/details/BhavanaVandanaDevotionsForMeditation
https://ia801605.us.archive.org/18/items/BhavanaVandanaDevotionsForMeditation/VandanaDeskV19.pdf

Bhavana Vandana: Book of Devotion. Compiled by Bhante H. Gunaratana Maha Thera.1990. (High View West Virginia USA Bhavana Society).
Metta Bhavana Meditation on Loving-Kindness pages 166-171
Karaniyametta Sutta Meditation on Loving-Kindness Discourse pages 170-175
Khandha Paritta Discourse on the Protection of Loving-Kindness pages 176-177
Mettanisamsa Sutta The Profit of Loving-Kindness pages 176-179
Available on BuddhaNet website
https://www.buddhanet.net/
https://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/index.htm
https://www.buddhanet.net/ebooks/
http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/vandana.pdf

Buddhist Suttas for Recitation: A Companion for Walking the Buddha’s Path. Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. 2019. (Boston USA Wisdom Publications). (ISBN 978-161429-489-4).
Metta Bhavana Developing Loving-Friendliness pages 114-117
Karaniyametta Sutta Discourse on Loving-Friendliness pages 62-65
Khandhaparitta Sutta The Protection of Loving-Friendliness pages 120-121
Mettanisamsa Sutta Discourse on the Benefits of Loving-Friendliness pages 118-119
https://wisdomexperience.org/
https://wisdomexperience.org/content-author/bhante-gunaratana/

https://wisdomexperience.org/bhante-g/
https://wisdomexperience.org/product/buddhist-suttas-for-recitation/

Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness: walking the Path of The Buddha. Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. 2001. (Boston USA Wisdom Publications). (ISBN 978-086171-176-5)
Step 2 Skillful Thinking: Loving-Friendliness pages 65-70.
https://wisdomexperience.org/product/eight-mindful-steps-happiness/ 

Loving-Kindness in Plain English: The Practice of Metta. Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. 2017. (Boston USA Wisdom Publications). (ISBN 978-161429-249-4)
https://wisdomexperience.org/product/loving-kindness-plain-english/

Mindfulness in Plain English. Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, 2011 20th anniversary edition. Wisdom Publications USA. (ISBN 978-086171-906-8)
Afterword: The Power of Loving Friendliness
https://wisdomexperience.org/product/mindfulness-plain-english/

Articles by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

“Meditation on Loving-Kindness”, Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, Buddhist Publication Society Newsletter, No. 69 (1st mailing 2013).
https://www.bps.lk/
https://www.bps.lk/library_newsletters.php

“Meditation on Loving-Kindness”, Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, The Middle Way: Journal of The Buddhist Society [London], 64(4), (February 1990), 232-238. (ISSN 0026-3214).
https://www.thebuddhistsociety.org/page/the-middle-way-2

Audio and Video by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

There are several audio and video recordings of Bhante Gunaratana explaining metta (loving kindness) meditation available on the web.

BPS Buddhist Publication Society Kandy Sri Lanka

https://www.bps.lk/

https://www.bps.lk/library.php

BPS Books

http://www.bps.lk/library_books.php

The Book of Protection Paritta translated from the original Pali, with introductory essay and explanatory notes.
Piyadassi Thera.
2011 (second edition).
(BP216s) (ISBN 978-955-24-0377-4)
https://www.bps.lk/olib/bp/bp216s_Piyadassi_Book-of-Protection.pdf
4. Karanìyamettasutta (Discourse on Loving-kindness) Pali page 24 and English page 25 29
6. Karanìyamettasutta Mettanisamsasutta (Discourse on Advantages of Loving-kindness) (Pali pages 26 and 28 English pages 27 and 29.

The Buddha and His Teachings
Venerable Narada Mahathera
2012 (Electronic edition).
(BP102s) (ISBN 978-955-24-0025-4).
Chapter 42 The Sublime States
https://bps.lk/olib/bp/bp102s_Narada-Buddha_and_His_Teachings.pdf
Also available on BuddhaNet website
https://www.buddhanet.net/
https://www.buddhanet.net/ebooks/
http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/buddha-teachingsurw6.pdf

The Four Sublime States Contemplations on Love, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity, by Nyanaponika Thera and The Practice of Loving Kindness (Metta) as Taught by the Buddha in the Pali Canon.
Texts compiled and translated by Nanamoli Thera.
[The Four Sublime States First published in 1958 as Wheel Publication No. 6; The Practice of Loving Kindness First published in 1958 as Wheel Publication No. 7].
(BP225s) (ISBN: 978-955-24-0170-1)
https://www.bps.lk/olib/bp/bp225s_Nyanaponika_Four-Sublime-States.pdf

BPS Wheel Publications (ISSN 0068-3345)

https://www.bps.lk/library_wheels.php

https://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/_whindex.html

Wheel 6 The Four Sublime States Brahmaviharas: Contemplations on Love, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy and Equanimity.
Nyanaponika Thera.
https://bps.lk/olib/wh/wh006_Nyanaponika_The-Four-Sublime-States.pdf
Also available on Access to Insight website
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nyanaponika/wheel006.html

Also available on BuddhaNet website
http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/4sublime_states.pdf

Wheel 7The Practice of Loving-Kindness (Metta): As Taught by the Buddha in the Pali Canon.
Compiled and translated by Nanamoli Thera.
https://bps.lk/olib/wh/wh006_Nyanaponika_The-Four-Sublime-States.pdf
Also available on Access to Insight website
https://accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nanamoli/wheel007.html

Wheel 54 Mirror of the Dhamma: A Manual of Buddhist Chanting and Devotional Texts.
Narada Maha Thera and Bhikkhu Kassapa, revised by Bhikkhu Khantipalo.
https://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/wh054_Narada_Mirror-Of-The-Dhamma.html
https://bps.lk/olib/wh/wh054_Narada-Kassapa_Mirror-of-the-Dhamma.pdf

Wheel 170The Buddha’s Teaching on Unselfish Joy: four essays.
Nyanaponika Thera, Natasha Jackson, C.F. Knight, and L.R. Oates.
https://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/wh170_Nyanaponika-Etal_Mudita–Four-Essays.html 
https://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/wh170_Nyanaponika-Etal_Mudita–Four-Essays.pdf
Also available on Access to Insight website
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/various/wheel170.html 

Wheel 365/366 The Philosophy and Practice of Universal Love.
Acharya Buddharakhkita.
https://bps.lk/olib/wh/wh365_Buddharakkhita_Metta–Philosophy-Practice-of_Universal-Love.html
https://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/wh365_Buddharakkhita_Metta–Philosophy-Practice-of_Universal-Love.pdf
Also available on Access to Insight website
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/buddharakkhita/wheel365.html

Suttas [Discourses of the Buddha] in Books

The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Anguttara Nikaya. Translated from the Pali: by Bhikkhu Bodhi. 2012. (Boston USA, Wisdom Publications). (ISBN 978-61429-040-7).https://wisdomexperience.org/product/numerical-discourses-buddha/

The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Anguttara Nikaya. Translated from the Pali: by Bhikkhu Bodhi. 2012. (Oxford, Pali Text Society). (ISBN 978-0-86013-499-2). https://palitextsociety.org/product/the-numerical-discourses-of-the-buddha/

The Book of the Gradual Sayings (Anguttara-Nikaya) or More Numbered Suttas Vol IV (The Books of the Sevens, Eights and Nines). Translator F.L. Woodward. 1989 reprint of 1934. (Oxford, Pali Text Society). (ISBN 0-7100-0092-8) (Current edition ISBN 978-0-86013-???-?).
https://palitextsociety.org/product/the-book-of-the-gradual-sayings-5-volumes/

Suttas [Discourses of the Buddha] Online

Suttas and translations are available on the Access to Insight, dhammatalks.org and Sutta Central websites.

Access to Insight    https://www.accesstoinsight.org/

dhammatalks.org    https://www.dhammatalks.org/  https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/

Sutta Central           https://suttacentral.net/?lang=en

The two main Suttas about metta [loving-kindness] are The Karaniya Metta SuttaThe Discourse on Loving-kindness and the Metta Nisamsa Sutta The Discourse on the Benefits of Loving Kindness

StNp 1.8 Sn 1.8 Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Discourse on Loving-kindness

The Sutta Nipata StNp/Sn (The Sutta Collection/The Discourse Group) is the fifth book of the Khuddaka Nikaya and consists of 71 short suttas divided into five vaggas (chapters). Chapter 1. Uragavagga The Snake Chapter includes The Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Discourse on Loving-kindness.

Access to Insight

StNp 1.8 Sn 1.8Karaniya Metta Sutta: Loving-Kindness translated from the Pali by Nanamoli Thera
https://accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.1.08.nymo.html

StNp 1.8 Sn 1.8Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Discourse on Loving-kindness translated from the Pali by Piyadassi Thera.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.1.08.piya.html

dhammatalks.org

StNp 1.8 Sn 1.8 Goodwill
https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/KN/StNp/StNp1_8.html

Sutta Central

Mettasutta Amaravati Sangha
Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha’s Words on Loving-Kindness
https://suttacentral.net/kp9/en/amaravati?reference=none&highlight=false

Mettasutta Nanamoli Thera Short Readings Loving-Kindness
https://suttacentral.net/kp9/en/nanamoli?reference=none&highlight=false

Mettasutta Short Readings The Discourse on Loving-Kindness Piyadassi Thera
https://suttacentral.net/kp9/en/piyadassi?reference=none&highlight=false

Anguttara Nikaya AN 11.16 Karaniya Mettanisamsa Sutta Discourse on Advantages of Loving-kindness

Access to Insight

Anguttara Nikaya AN 11.16 Mettanisamsa Sutta Discourse on Advantages of Loving-kindness translated from the Pali by Piyadassi Thera
https://accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an11/an11.016.piya.html

dhammatalks.org  

Anguttara Nikaya AN 11.16 Metta Sutta Goodwill
https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/AN/AN11_16.html

Anguttara Nikaya AN 9.18

Sutta Central

Anguttara Nikaya AN 9.18 2. The Lion’s Roar: The Sabbath with Nine Factors
https://suttacentral.net/an9.18/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin

Forest Sangha

Booklets by Ajahn Amaro. Available on the Forest Sangha website.
https://forestsangha.org/
https://forestsangha.org/teachings/books?language=English 

Don’t Push – Just Use The Weight Of Your Own Body: Compassion
https://forestsangha.org/teachings/books/don-t-push?commit=Go%21&language=English&utf8=%E2%9C%93

I’m right, You’re: Loving-kindness
https://forestsangha.org/teachings/books/i-m-right-you-re-wrong?language=English

Just One More Appreciative joy
https://forestsangha.org/teachings/books/just-one-more?commit=Go%21&language=English&utf8=%E2%9C%93

Who is pulling the strings: Equanimity
https://forestsangha.org/teachings/books/who-is-pulling-the-strings?commit=Go%21&language=English&utf8=%E2%9C%93

Theravada