"Metta" by the Venerable Kapilavaddho Bhikkhu

This talk on practicing Metta, loving-kindness, is from Venerable Kapilavaddho Bhikkhu, given at the Hampstead Vihara, London, in April 1970. At that time, both Alan (who was ordained) and Jacqui, the founders of the House of Inner Tranquillity, were his students. Using colourful personal accounts from his time practicing in Thai jungles, it gives an overview of the whole practice, and details of ways to develop this powerful meditation which overcomes fear and aversion, can transforms one’s outlook, personality, and positively affect the world  generally, through cultivating and spreading goodwill.  

This talk was provided for public distribution by Terry Shine to accompany his book, ‘Honour Thy Fathers’, (also available online), as a tribute to the man who did so much to introduce Buddhist Meditation to the West. 

Born in London, William Purfurst was the first Englishman to be ordained in Thailand in 1954, as Kapilavaddho, meaning “to spread and increase the teachings.” After training intensively there, he returned to the UK to establish the first English Theravada Sangha in the West, providing training for many monks, nuns and laypeople. He died in December 1971.