INDEX

MANGALA SUTTA Men, together with deities, tried to find out for twelve years what blessing was. But they could not find out the blessings which number thirty eight, that are the cause of happiness. Oh, Good People! Let us recite those blessings which were taught by the Deity of the Deities (the Buddha) for the benefit of beings and which destroy all evil. Thus have I heard. At one time the Blessed One was dwelling at the monastery of Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta's Grove near the city of Sāvatthi. Then a certain deity in the late hours of the night with surpassing splendor, having illuminated the entire Jeta's Grove, came to the Blessed One. Drawing near, the deity respectfully paid homage to the Blessed One, and stood at a suitable place; standing there, the deity addressed the Blessed One in verse: “Many deities and men, desiring what is good, have pondered upon just what blessings were. Please tell me what the highest blessing is.” “Not to associate with fools, to associate with the wise and to honor those who are worthy of honor. This is the highest blessing.” To live in a suitable place, to have done meritorious deeds in the past, and to keep one's mind and body in a proper way. This is the highest blessing. To have much learning, to be skilled in crafts, to be well-trained in moral conduct and to have speech that is well-spoken. This is the highest blessing. Caring for one's mother and father, supporting one's spouse and children and having work that causes no confusion. This is the highest blessing. Giving, practice of what is good, support of one's relative and blameless actions. This is the highest blessing. Abstention from evil in mind, abstention from evil in body and speech, abstention from intoxicants and non-negligence in meritorious acts. This is the highest blessing. Respectfulness, humbleness, contentment, gratitude and listening to the Dhamma on suitable occasions. This is the highest blessing . Patience, obedience, meeting those who have calmed the mental defilements and discussing the Dhamma on suitable occasions. This is the highest blessing. Practice that consumes evil states, a noble life, seeing the Noble Truths, and realization of Nibbana. This is the highest blessing. The mind of a person (an Arahant) who is confronted with worldly conditions does not flutter, is sorrowless, stainless and secure. This is the highest blessing. Having fulfilled such things as these, beings are invincible everywhere and gain happiness everywhere. That is the highest blessing for them.