Metta: Buddhist Concept of Fellow Feeling

The term Metta is a fundamental concept in Buddhist teachings.

• Metta translates to "loving-kindness," "friendliness," or "benevolent interest" towards others.
• It signifies a selfless and unconditional goodwill towards all sentient beings.
• This quality is often cultivated through specific meditation practices like Metta Bhavana.

Analysis of Options

Examining the options provided:

• Fellow feeling: This option best represents the core meaning of Metta, encompassing compassion and goodwill for others.
• Mindful meditation: While Metta is often practiced through meditation, the term itself refers to the quality of loving-kindness, not the act of meditation.
• Ritual purity: This refers to adherence to specific rules and ceremonies, which is distinct from the emotional quality of Metta.
• Celibacy and renunciation: These are practices related to detachment and monastic discipline, separate from the concept of universal loving-kindness.

Therefore, Metta primarily refers to a sense of shared feeling and goodwill towards all beings.