Loving-kindness

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Loving-kindness is a specific kind of love conceptualized in various religious traditions, both among theologians and religious practitioners, as a form of love characterized by acts of kindness.

Use in Buddhism

Loving-kindness is an English equivalent for the Buddhist term Mettā,[1] as described in the Metta Sutta of the Pali Canon's Sutta Nipata (Sn 1.8) and Khuddakapatha (Khp 9), and practiced in Loving kindness meditation.[2]

Use in Christianity

The term Loving-kindness (or "lovingkindness") was coined by Myles Coverdale in his Coverdale Bible of 1535,[3][4] as an English translation of the Hebrew word chesed (which appears in the Latin Vulgate as "misericordia"); in that text it is spelled "louinge kyndnesse". It is also used in this sense in the American Standard Version and other versions of the Christian Bible.

Use in Hinduism

Priti (Sanskrit: प्रीति) means loving kindness in Hindu traditions. The word, states Monier Williams, refers to "amity, kindness, friendly disposition, love, affection, harmony, peacefulness" to others in texts such as Grhyasutras, the Mahabharata and the Puranas.[5][6]

Use in Judaism

Main article: Chesed

Loving-kindness is used as an English translation for the Hebrew word חסד (chesed). This term is used often in the book of Psalms, and refers to acts of kindness, motivated by love. It is used primarily in reference to God, rather than people. One example is found in Psalm 107, where verse 43 reads:

"Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD." [7]

The term is also used in Pirkei Avot, with the quote "The world stands on three things: Torah, the service of God, and deeds of loving-kindness." (1:2)

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Nagabodhi (2003). Metta: The Practice of Loving Kindness. Windhorse Publications. p. 3. ISBN 9780904766998.
  2. ↑ Ven. Pannyvaro. "An Overview of Loving-kindness Meditation". Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  3. ↑ OED
  4. ↑ Grace Cathedral episcopal church: "Brush Up Your Bible"
  5. ↑ Monier Monier-Williams (1923). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. p. 662.
  6. ↑ F. P. Luigi Josa (1907). Introductory Manual of the Hindi Language with Extracts from the Premsâgar. Trübner & Company. p. 82.
  7. ↑ "Psalm 107".
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