The
Mangala Sutta
Once
while the Blessed One was staying in the vicinity of Saavatthi, in
the Jeta Grove, in Anaathapindika's monastery, a certain deity, whose
surpassing brilliance and beauty illumined the entire Jeta Grove,
late one night came to the presence of the Blessed One; having come
to him and offered profound salutations he stood on one side and
spoke to him reverently in the following verse:
Many
deities and human beings
Have
pondered what are blessings,
Which
they hope will bring them safety:
Declare
to them, Sir, the Highest Blessing.
(To
this the Blessed One replied):
With
fools no company keeping.
With
the wise ever consorting,
To
the worthy homage paying:
This,
the Highest Blessing.
Congenial
place to dwell,
In
the past merits making,
One's
self directed well:
This,
the Highest Blessing.
Ample
learning, in crafts ability,
With
a well-trained disciplining,
Well-spoken
words, civility:
This,
the Highest Blessing.
Mother,
father well supporting,
Wife
and children duly cherishing,
Types
of work unconflicting:
This,
the Highest Blessing.
Acts
of giving, righteous living,
Relatives
and kin supporting,
Actions
blameless then pursuing:
This,
the Highest Blessing.
Avoiding
evil and abstaining,
From
besotting drinks refraining,
Diligence
in Dhamma doing:
This,
the Highest Blessing.
Right
reverence and humility
Contentment
and a grateful bearing,
Hearing
Dhamma when it's timely:
This,
the Highest Blessing.
Patience,
meekness when corrected,
Seeing
monks and then discussing
About
the Dhamma when it's timely:
This,
the Highest Blessing.
Self-restraint
and holy life,
All
the Noble Truths in-seeing,
Realization
of Nibbaana:
This,
the Highest Blessing.
Though
touched by worldly circumstances,
Never
his mind is wavering,
Sorrowless,
stainless and secure:
This,
the Highest Blessing.
Since
by acting in this way,
They
are everywhere unvanquished,
And
everywhere they go in safety:
Theirs,
the Highest Blessings.
