The Fulfillment of the Perfections of Loving Kindness (Metta)

Metta means wishing for the well-being of others. One, who has cultivated loving-kindness does not look at others fault even when he is insulted verbally or bodily. Only with the view on the virtues of others, he goes on endeavouring for others welfare. The Bodhisatta in his many past existence, fulfilled the perfection of loving-kindness. It is most obvious that the Bodhisatta fulfilled the perfection of loving-kindnes in the life of the ascetic Suvannasama, be lived in the forest and looked after his parents who were blinded by avenomous snake. He also loved with true loving-kindness harmless animals as well as wild beasts such as lions, tigers, leopards etc. He cultivated loving-kindness firmly and never felt angry even towards the king Pilayakkha, who shot him with a poisoned arrow, taking him as a beast. At last, by the power of loving-kindness and truthfulness, the poison became ineffective and disappeared. In this way not only his life was saved but also his parents regained their eye-sight.“Upekkha” this pali word means equilibrium of the mind, not having a bias on account of hatred or love.
To become a fully-enlightened Buddha, the Bodhisatta fulfilled the perfection of equanimity in his many past existences. The life of Lomahamsa, when his parents died, gave all his properties in donation and went into a forest. Although he wished to become an ascetic, he did not have a desire to be praised by people. So he wandered around with a single set of clothing. He did not stay for a long time in a place where he was well treated and revered. When he reached a village, though he was jeered and mocked insolently by wicked children and drunkards, he was not angry with them. In a cemetery, he slept with his head on a skull. The wicked kids gathered, and insulted him by spitting and discharging excrement and urine on him. He neither got angry with the children nor blamed them, nor felt depressed. Some people offered him flowers, good food and drinks. But he did not feel affectionate towards them either. His attitude towards good and bad was indifferent. He stead fastly maintained an equilibrium of mind (Upekkha) under any situation.