Thus have I heard: On one occasion the Blessed One was living in Sāvatthi at Jetavana, at Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then the Blessed One addressed the monks saying, “Monks.” “Oh Bhante,” replied those monks to the Blessed One. The Blessed One taught this discourse:
Monks, there are eleven benefits to be expected from the liberation of the heart through the practice of loving-kindness, through the familiarizing with it, through the development of it, through making much of it, through making a habit of it as a vehicle, through making a basis of it in the mind, through training the mind well on it, through practicing it well, and through undertaking it well.
What are the eleven?
- One sleeps well.
- One wakes in comfort.
- One has no evil dreams.
- One is dear to human beings.
- One is dear to non-human beings.
- The deities protect one.
- Neither fire, nor poison nor weapon can affect one.
- One can concentrate the mind quickly.
- One’s facial complexion is serene.
- One dies without any confusion.
- If one does not attain a higher stage of enlightenment, one will be reborn in the brahma world.
Monks, these eleven benefits are to be expected from the liberation of the heart through the practice of loving-kindness, through the familiarizing with it, through the development of it, through making much of it, through making a habit of it as a vehicle, through making a basis of it in the mind, through training the mind well on it, through practicing it well, and through undertaking it well.
The Blessed One taught this discourse. Delighted, those monks rejoiced at the words of the Blessed One.
