Cultivating a mind of loving-kindness even for a brief moment (SN 20.4)

The Buddha illustrates the immense benefits of cultivating loving-kindness with a simile even for a brief moment.

Mandarin Ducks, Hiroshige, c. 19th century

At Sāvatthi.

“Bhikkhus, if someone were to give a donation [1] of a hundred pots [of food] in the morning, a hundred pots of food at noon, and a hundred pots of food in the evening, and if someone else were to cultivate a mind of loving-kindness [2] even for the brief moment it takes to milk a cow, whether in the morning, at noon, or in the evening — this [cultivation of loving-kindness] would yield far greater fruit than those givings.

Therefore, bhikkhus, you should train yourselves thus: ‘Our release of mind [3] through loving-kindness will be developed, practiced often, made a vehicle, made a basis, firmly established, nurtured, and resolutely undertaken [4].’ Thus, bhikkhus, you should train yourselves.”

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-- Excerpt from ITI 27

Footnotes:

[1] to give a donation [dāna] ≈ the act of giving or donating, with an intention to give

[2] mind of loving-kindness [mettācitta] ≈ friendly heart, kind mind, benevolent mind

[3] release of mind [cetovimutti] ≈ mental liberation, emancipation of heart, a meditation attainment

[4] resolutely undertaken [susamāraddha] ≈ fully engaged with, energetically taken up

Related Teachings:

• The Mind of Loving-Kindness (MN 21) - A discourse full of vibrant and memorable similes, on the importance of patience and love even when faced with abuse and criticism. The Buddha finishes with the simile of the saw, one of the most memorable similes found in the discourses.
• Five ways to remove arisen resentment (AN 5.161) - The five ways of removing arisen resentment presented here are by loving-kindness, compassion, equanimity, non-attention, and reflection on kamma.
• 11 Benefits of practicing Loving-Kindness (AN 11.15) - 11 benefits of cultivating loving-kindness from sleeping with ease to dying unconfused to going to the Brahma world.