Ja 169 The Story about (the Teacher) Araka
(Arakajātaka)
In the present the Buddha teaches the monastics the benefits of practising loving-kindness. He then tells how he gave a similar teaching as an ascetic in a previous life and attained heaven when he passed away.
1. Yo ve mettena cittena, sabbalokānukampati,
Uddhaṁ adho ca tiriyaṁ, appamāṇena sabbaso.
He who has loving-kindness in mind, compassion for all the world, above, below, across the middle, entirely without measure.
2. Appamāṇaṁ hitaṁ cittaṁ, paripuṇṇaṁ subhāvitaṁ,
Yaṁ pamāṇakataṁ kammaṁ na taṁ tatrāvasissatī ti.
A measureless beneficial mind, perfected, well-developed, the deed done according to measure does not remain in that place.
In this connection, he who has loving-kindness in mind, compassion for all the world, beginning with nobles and so on, or ascetics and brahmins, whoever has a measureless loving-kindness in mind, and compassion for the whole world of beings.
Above means from the earth as far as the Brahmā Realm of neither perception nor non-perception.
Below means from the earth on down to the great hell and its auxiliaries.
Across the middle means in the human world.
In whatever universe they are reborn, amongst all beings in that place, thinking: ‘May all creatures be free from hatred, oppression and trouble, may they take care of themselves and be happy,’ developing this with loving-kindness in mind, this is the meaning.
Without measure means without measuring beings, without measuring the object, without measure.
Entirely means in every way, above, below, and across the middle, thus with regard to all the good and bad destinations, this is the meaning.
A measureless beneficial mind means having made it measureless, developing a beneficial mind towards all beings.
Perfected means flawless.
Well-developed means well-cultivated, this is what is known as mental absorption.
The deed done according to measure means that which is measureless, without measuring the object, without cultivating the four triad of objects, Explained in Vism as the limited-object triad, the path-object triad, the past-object triad, and the internal-object triad (trans. Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli). without cultivating the five attainments of mastery, Explained in Vism as mastery of the first absorption by adverting; entering; determining; rising and retrospection. having done a small deed in the sense realm.
Does not remain in that place means that small deed, that which is a measureless beneficial mind, a deed in the form realm, done with intention, does not remain in that place. Like a little water is overcome by a great flood, inside that flood, through that the little water being carried away does not remain, it does not continue, then only the great flood, after overcoming the little water, continues. Even so a small deed is inside of a lofty deed of his and is cut off by that lofty deed, without gaining an opportunity to give a result, it does not remain, it does not continue, it is unable to give a result to oneself, then that lofty deed, after covering over that small deed, continues, it gives a result.