Question about Metta

If one attains access concentration or Jhana in Metta and chant the Metta Sutta and Khandha Sutta, will it keep him protected from mosquitos? Would mosquitos still be able to pierce his skin?

These are the benefits of Metta.
Mettāsutta

“Mendicants, you can expect eleven benefits when the heart’s release by love has been cultivated, developed, and practiced, made a vehicle and a basis, kept up, consolidated, and properly implemented.

What eleven? You sleep at ease. You wake happily. You don’t have bad dreams. Humans love you. Non-humans love you. Deities protect you. You can’t be harmed by fire, poison, or blade. Your mind quickly enters immersion. Your face is clear and bright. You don’t feel lost when you die. If you don’t penetrate any higher, you’ll be reborn in a realm of divinity. You can expect eleven benefits when the heart’s release by love has been cultivated, developed, and practiced, made a vehicle and a basis, kept up, consolidated, and properly implemented.”

That would be nice, and maybe it is possible. On the other hand, mettā would let you appreciate getting bitten and want to feed them. Some monks do that. After some time, the reaction to mosquito bytes do not affect you as much, but it takes time. Or… perhaps it is loving-kindness.

If someone were in jhāna though, they would not feel the bites. I saw this one person in Nā Uyana who had high levels of concentration and studied with Pa-Auk. I knew him from there. He went into the middle of the Nā Uyana forest and was meditating without a mosquito net. He told me that he makes his body “cold” so the bugs do not go after him. It was quite amazing to see. I saw him as I was on my way to my kuṭi using a shortcut through the forest.

1 Like