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mettacittā

mettacitta

masc nom pl of mettacitta (adj); fem nom sg of mettacitta (adj); fem nom pl of mettacitta (adj); nt nom pl of mettacitta (adj); …

1. with friendly heart; with kind mind; benevolent
2. friendly heart; kind mind; benevolence

Built from

• metta — root · loving-kindness
  A noun denoting unconditional benevolence; origin uncertain, but semantically central to Buddhist ethics as the first of the four divine abodes (Brahmavihāras).
• citta — stem · mind, heart
  Derived from √cit (to think, perceive, set in motion); the underlying image is of mind as what springs forth or is aroused. Cognate with Latin citāre and English cite.

Analysis. metta (loving-kindness) + citta (mind, heart); the compound expresses the quality of having the mind pervaded by mettā, central to the Brahmavihāras (divine abodes).

Etymology. metta is of uncertain origin; citta derives from √cit (to think, perceive), cognate with Latin citāre (to set in motion, rouse) and English cite — the sense shifts from setting-mind-in-motion to mind itself. The compound unites emotional disposition (metta) with the organ of intention (citta).

Meanings from the Digital Pāḷi Dictionary; morphology and etymology by Claude.

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