The Application of Mettā in Thai Society in Accordance with Theravada Buddhism

Abstract

This dissertation entitled “The Application of Mettā Radiation in Thai Society in Accordance with the Theravada Buddhism” had three objectives: 1) to study the concept of Mettā radiation found in Theravada scriptures, 2) to study the problems of Mettā in Thai society and, 3) to analytically study Mettā radiation in Thai society in accordance with Theravada Buddhism. This study was a qualitative research.
The findings revealed that according to Theravada Buddhism, Mettā Radiation was best wish towards prayers’ and other lives. This could be shown by affection and good desire. There were five prayers in Mettā Radiation for unspecified recipients, and there were three prayers in Mettā radiation for specified recipients. Mettā radiation for both unspecified and specified recipients was chanted for those who were in ten directions. This could be chanted with 4 symptoms of Mettā as follows: 1) without enmity, 2) without violence 3) without suffering and 4) happily self-protected. Mettā radiation was chanted to twelve people in ten directions. Two qualifications of the people who prayed were 1) giving up the hindrances and 2) attaining the fourth trance.