# Mettā

Source: https://buddhisma2z.com/metta/  
Author: Bhante S. Dhammika, *Guide To Buddhism A To Z*  
Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

*Mettā* is the most common [**Pāḷi**](https://buddhisma2z.com/pali/) word for [**love**](https://buddhisma2z.com/love/) and is derived from the word *mitta* meaning ‘a friend’. The *Culla Niddesa*, defines *mettā* like this. ‘Love means having a  friendly nature and behaving with friendliness’ (*Mitte v**ā* *bhavā* *mittassa vā* *esā* *pavattī* *ti pi mettā*, Culla Niddesa 117). The [**Visuddhimagga**](https://buddhisma2z.com/visuddhimagga/) explains *mettā* this way:  ‘Love is characterized as promoting the welfare of others and its function is to focus on their welfare. It manifests as the removal of annoyance and its proximate cause is seeing the loveable nature of beings. It succeeds when it makes ill-will subside and it fails when it gives rise to clinging attachment’ (Vism.318). The [**Jātaka**](https://buddhisma2z.com/jataka/) often says one should act  ‘having made *mettā* one’s guide’(*mettam purecārikan katvā*, Ja.I,176; III,273), and *mettā*  is said to be a protective [**mantra**](https://buddhisma2z.com/mantra/), along with [**generosity**](https://buddhisma2z.com/generosity/), truthfulness and good works (Ja.I,200). *Mettā* is equivalent to *maitrī* in [**Jainism**](https://buddhisma2z.com/jainism/) and [**Hinduism**](https://buddhisma2z.com/hinduism/), *agape* in Christianity and Greek philosophy and *gen* *ai* in the teaching of the Chinese sage Motzu. See [**Mettā Sutta**](https://buddhisma2z.com/metta-sutta/).

Subjects: Buddhist Doctrines