Sabbe sattaa sukhi hontu

Jim Tarran

Sabbe sattaa sukhi hontu is a Pali phrase meaning ‘May all beings be well (or happy)’. It’s not, properly speaking, a mantra. It’s a chant that is used in exactly the same way as a mantra. Unlike most mantras, it has a definite grammatical meaning.

Sabbe = all
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 loving kindness) 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.

Quotes

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” 

— Confucius