It Is a noteworthy characteristic of the Buddha Dhamma is the Buddha’s stress on practicing mettā towards all living beings, regardless of their background. Thus the practice of unconditional friendliness and boundless compassion has remained salient hallmarks of the Buddha Dhamma.
The copious pratānas in the Buddha’s teachings include Sabbe Satta Sukhi Hontu (May all beings be well and happy), Sabbe Satta Avera Hontu (May all beings be free from enmity and danger), Sabbe Satta Abyapajjha Hontu, (May all beings be free from mental suffering), Sabbe Satta Anigha Hontu (May all beings be free from physical suffering), Sabbe Satta Dukkha Muccantu (May all beings be free from suffering) and Sabbe Satta Sukhi Attanam Pariharantu (May all beings protect themselves and be joyful).
Most forms of meditation practice require silence, solitude, and the need to sit still, contemplate deeply and reflect. But not so in the case of practicing meditation enjoined in the Sukhi hotu Pratāna.
In this sense, the Pratāna is a unique compassion-radiating invocation for one to practice Mettā Meditation regularly. Just like a chant, the compassionate Pratāna can be transmitted readily no matter where a person may be or when one wishes to practice the Mettā Meditation invoked by the Lotus Greeting.