Evening Mettā Chant
This traditional evening mettā chant, led by Bhante Bodhidhamma, offers the classic Pali recitation for cultivating loving-kindness (mettā) toward all beings. The chant systematically extends compassionate wishes beginning with oneself, then to benefactors and teachers, to all practitioners and monastics, and finally radiating mettā to all sentient beings throughout the ten directions.
Following the structure found in traditional Theravāda practice, the chant includes the fundamental mettā phrases: "May I be free from enmity, free from ill-will, free from anxiety, may I maintain well-being in myself" (averā homi, abyāpajjhā homi, anīghā homi, sukhī attānaṃ pariharāmi). These wishes are then extended progressively outward to encompass all beings everywhere.
This practice of chanting mettā serves as both a meditative exercise and a way to conclude the day with wholesome intentions. Regular recitation helps develop the brahmavihāra of loving-kindness, supporting both formal meditation practice and the cultivation of compassionate awareness in daily life. The rhythmic chanting also serves as a calming transition into evening reflection or rest.
Ahaṃ avero homi, abyāpajjo homi, anīgho homi, sukhī attānaṃ pariharāmi, dukkhā mucāmi, yathāladdhasampadāto, mā vigaccāmi. Amhākaṃ cātupaccayadeyyakā, averā hontu, abyāpajjā hontu, anīghā hontu, sukhī attānaṃ pariharantu, dukkhā mucantu, yathāladdhasampadāto, mā vigaccantu. Amhākaṃ mātāpitūnaṃ ācāriyānaṃ ñāti-mittasaṅghānaṃ averā hontu, abyāpajjā hontu, anīghā hontu, sukhī attānaṃ pariharantu, dukkhā mucantu, yathāladdhasampadāto, mā vigaccantu.
Imasmiṃ vihāre sabbe bhikkhū sabbā bhikkhuniyo sabbe upāsakā sabbā upāsikāyo averā hontu abyāpajjā hontu anīghā hontu sukhī attānaṃ pariharantu, dukkhā mucantu, yathāladdhasampadāto, mā vigaccantu. Imasmiṃ gāme janapadе, Eurοpe, loke sabbe janatā. Averā hontu, abyāpajjā hontu, anīghā hontu, sukhī attānaṃ pariharantu, dukkhā mucantu, yathāladdhasampadāto, mā vigaccantu.
Puratthimāya disāya, pacchimāya disāya, uttarāya disāya, dakkhiṇāya disāya, puratthimāyānudisāya, pacchimāyānudisāya, uttarāyānudisāya, dakkhiṇāyānudisāya, heṭṭhimāya disāya, uparimāya disāya: sabbe sattā, sabbe pāṇā, sabbe bhūtā, sabbe puggalā, sabbe attabhāvapariyāpannā. Sabbā itthiyo, sabbe purisā, sabbe ariyā, sabbe anariyā. Sabbe devā, sabbe manussā, sabbe vinipatikā, averā hontu, abyāpajjā hontu, anīghā hontu, sukhī attānaṃ pariharantu, dukkhā mucantu, yathāladdhasampadāto, mā vigaccantu. Kāmasukā.