sutta » sn » sn20 » Saṁyutta Nikāya 20.4

Okkhāsutta

Rice Pots

Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.
At Sāvatthī.

“Yo, bhikkhave, pubbaṇhasamayaṁ okkhāsataṁ dānaṁ dadeyya, yo majjhanhikasamayaṁ okkhāsataṁ dānaṁ dadeyya, yo sāyanhasamayaṁ okkhāsataṁ dānaṁ dadeyya, yo vā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ antamaso gadduhanamattampi mettacittaṁ bhāveyya, yo vā majjhanhikasamayaṁ antamaso gadduhanamattampi mettacittaṁ bhāveyya, yo vā sāyanhasamayaṁ antamaso gadduhanamattampi mettacittaṁ bhāveyya, idaṁ tato mahapphalataraṁ.
“Mendicants, suppose one person was to give a gift of a hundred pots of rice in the morning, at midday, and in the evening. And someone else was to develop a heart of love, even just as long as it takes to pull a cow’s udder. The latter would be more fruitful.

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ:
So you should train like this:

‘mettā no cetovimutti bhāvitā bhavissati bahulīkatā yānīkatā vatthukatā anuṭṭhitā paricitā susamāraddhā’ti.
‘We will develop the heart’s release by love. We’ll cultivate it, make it our vehicle and our basis, keep it up, consolidate it, and properly implement it.’

Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabban”ti.
That’s how you should train.”

Catutthaṁ.