Maṅgalasutta

Sutta Nipāta 2.4

Anthology of Discourses 2.4

Maṅgalasutta

Blessings

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

So I have heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.

Then, late at night, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side.

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho sā devatā bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

That deity addressed the Buddha in verse:

“Bahū devā manussā ca,

“Many gods and humans

maṅgalāni acintayuṁ;

have thought about blessings

Ākaṅkhamānā sotthānaṁ,

desiring well-being:

brūhi maṅgalamuttamaṁ”.

declare the highest blessing.”

“Asevanā ca bālānaṁ,

“Not to fraternize with fools,

paṇḍitānañca sevanā;

but to fraternize with the wise,

Pūjā ca pūjaneyyānaṁ,

and honoring those worthy of honor:

etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

this is the highest blessing.

Patirūpadesavāso ca,

Living in a suitable region,

pubbe ca katapuññatā;

having made merit in the past,

Attasammāpaṇidhi ca,

being rightly resolved in oneself,

etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

this is the highest blessing.

Bāhusaccañca sippañca,

Education and a craft,

vinayo ca susikkhito;

discipline and training,

Subhāsitā ca yā vācā,

and well-spoken speech:

etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

this is the highest blessing.

Mātāpitu upaṭṭhānaṁ,

Caring for mother and father,

puttadārassa saṅgaho;

kindness to children and partners,

Anākulā ca kammantā,

and unstressful work:

etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

this is the highest blessing.

Dānañca dhammacariyā ca,

Giving and righteous conduct,

ñātakānañca saṅgaho;

kindness to relatives,

Anavajjāni kammāni,

blameless deeds:

etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

this is the highest blessing.

Āratī viratī pāpā,

Desisting and abstaining from evil,

majjapānā ca saṁyamo;

avoiding drinking liquor,

Appamādo ca dhammesu,

diligence in good qualities:

etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

this is the highest blessing.

Gāravo ca nivāto ca,

Respect and placidity,

santuṭṭhi ca kataññutā;

contentment and gratitude,

Kālena dhammassavanaṁ,

and timely listening to the teaching:

etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

this is the highest blessing.

Khantī ca sovacassatā,

Patience, being easy to admonish,

samaṇānañca dassanaṁ;

the sight of ascetics,

Kālena dhammasākacchā,

and timely discussion of the teaching:

etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

this is the highest blessing.

Tapo ca brahmacariyañca,

Fervor and chastity

Ariyasaccāna dassanaṁ;

seeing the noble truths,

Nibbānasacchikiriyā ca,

and realization of extinguishment:

Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

this is the highest blessing.

Phuṭṭhassa lokadhammehi,

Though touched by worldly conditions,

Cittaṁ yassa na kampati;

their mind does not tremble;

Asokaṁ virajaṁ khemaṁ,

sorrowless, stainless, secure:

Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

this is the highest blessing.

Etādisāni katvāna,

Having completed these things,

Sabbattha maparājitā;

undefeated everywhere;

Sabbattha sotthiṁ gacchanti,

everywhere they go in safety:

Taṁ tesaṁ maṅgalamuttaman”ti.

this is their highest blessing.”

Maṅgalasuttaṁ catutthaṁ.