Sabbe satta sukhi hontu
Sabbe sattā sukhi hontu is a Pali phrase meaning “May all beings be well (or happy)”.
It’s not, properly speaking, a mantra, but is a chant that is used in exactly the same way as a mantra.
Unlike most mantras, it has a definite grammatical meaning.
Sabbe = all
Sattā (or sattaa) = beings
Sukhi = happy, well
Hontu = may they be
The chant has an attractive tune, and it’s lovely to chant this at the end of a period of the metta bhavana (development of lovingkindness) practice. It makes a beautiful group chant as well.
Outside of formal meditation, you can chant this mantra while walking, driving, or while engaged in any other such activity. It can help if you keep your attention centered on your heart, and also if you imagine that light is flowing from your heart and touching other people.
There are many other Pali chants that are similar and that are also closely related to the practice of lovingkindness, yet none seem to be as common as sabbe satta sukhi hontu, which really expresses the essence of lovingkindness.
Variants include:
- sabbe satta avera hontu (may all beings be free from enmity and danger)
- sabbe satta abyapajjha hontu (may all beings be free from mental suffering)
- sabbe satta anigha hontu (may all beings be free from physical suffering)
- sabbe satta dukkha muccantu (may all beings be free from suffering)
- sabbe satta sukhi attanam pariharantu (may all beings protect themselves joyfully)
Click here for the chant in RealAudio
Or click below to listen to an MP3 version
Pronunciation notes:
- a is pronounced as u in cut
- ā (or aa) is pronounced as a in father
Comments
Comment from GailPlatt
Time: April 16, 2007, 11:04 am
I love this mantra - even if it isn’t a true mantra. It creates a loving, compassionate energy when sung…..
thank you !
Comment from dennis
Time: July 24, 2007, 12:46 am
This mantra iswonderful- i am knew to buddhism and just trying to find any information i can.
Comment from Jayarava
Time: August 3, 2007, 9:22 am
A mantra, in its broadest sense, is simply a phrase or composition to be chanted, so this phrase qualifies from that point of view. It also invokes an aspect of the Awakened mind - the desire for the welfare of all beings - and so again seems as much a mantra as anything else.
Cheers
Jayarava
visiblemantra.org
Comment from Shir
Time: August 16, 2007, 3:53 pm
I have found this mantra to be ideal for walking meditation. The cadence can be varied to match walking speed.
Comment from Dan Dorta
Time: August 28, 2007, 2:36 am
I recite this mantra three times after meditation and after reciting the Heart Sutra.
I’m relatively new to Buddhism and I find it so liberating. I’m most into Zen. Especially for its “Ehi Passiko” (come and see for yourself) attitude. Regards, Dan.
Comment from mike
Time: October 10, 2007, 7:32 am
i have been practicing buddhism for 6 months now and found the mantra very relaxing. thank you. yours mike
Comment from carol
Time: November 1, 2007, 3:30 pm
i learned this from Ram Dass; he did this at the end of some of his talks. his version is: “May all beings everywhere be free from suffering; may all beings everywhere be peaceful; may all beings everywhere be happy; may all beings everywhere be free.” it’s a great way to end a meditation session or a teaching. Namaste. carol
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