Shakyamuni Buddha declared that the Buddha of the next eon will be named “Maitreya, the Buddha of Love.”Ģ. When we understand someone deeply, even someone who has done us harm, we cannot resist loving him or her. We can develop this wonderful source of energy, nurturing the unconditional love that does not expect anything in return. In Buddhism, the primary meaning of love is friendship. The word “maitri” has roots in the word mitra which means friend. “Love” is a beautiful word we have to restore its meaning.

We have been using the word “love” to mean appetite or desire, as in “I love hamburgers.” We have to use language more carefully. But I prefer the word “love.” Words sometimes get sick and we have to heal them. Maitri can be translated as “love” or “loving kindness.” Some Buddhist teachers prefer “loving kindness,” as they find the word “love” too dangerous. For our love to continue, we have to take the appropriate action or non-action to protect the air, the trees, and our beloved. In order to be loved, we have to love, which means we have to understand. We are loved by the air we need fresh air to be happy and well. You must look deeply in order to see and understand the needs, aspirations, and suffering of the one you love.

Without understanding, your love is not true love. You have to see her real situation or what you offer might bring her unhappiness. If you offer your beloved something she does not need, that is not maitri. To develop that capacity, we have to practice looking and listening deeply so that we know what to do and what not to do to make others happy. LOVE (Maitri/Metta) The first aspect of true love is maitri ( metta, in Pali), the intention and capacity to offer joy and happiness. They are the four aspects of true love within ourselves and within everyone and everything. If we learn ways to practice love, compassion, joy, and equanimity, we will know how to heal the illnesses of anger, sorrow, insecurity, sadness, hatred, loneliness, and unhealthy attachments… Love, compassion, joy, and equanimity are the very nature of an enlightened person.

Thich nhat hanh true love