Discourse On Blessings Evam me sutam Thus I have heard: ekam samayam Bhagavā On one occasion the Blessed One Sāvatthiyam viharati Jetavane, Anātha-pindikassa ārāme was dwelling at the monastery of Anathapindika in Jeta's Grove, near Savatthi. Atha kho aññātarā devatā When the night was far spent, abhikkantāya rattiyā, abhikkanta-vannā a certain deity whose surpassing splendour kevala-kappam Jetavanam obhāsetvā illuminated the entire Jeta Grove, yena Bhagavā ten’upasankami, upasankamitvā came to the presence of the Blessed One, and drawing near, Bhagavantam abhivādetvā, ekamantam atthāsi respectfully saluted and stood to one side. Ekamantam thitā kho, sā devatā Standing thus, the deity Bhagavantam gāthāya ajjhabhāsi addressed the Blessed One in verse: Bahū devā manussā ca - Mangalāni acintayum Many deities and men, yearning after good, Ākankha-mānā sotthānam - Brūhi mangala muttamam have pondered on Blessings. Pray, tell me the Supreme Blessing. Asevanā ca bālānam - Panditānañ ca sēvanā Not to follow or associate with fools, to associate with the wise, Pūjā ca pūja-nīyānam - Etam mangala muttamam and honour those who are worthy of honour. This is the Supreme Blessing. Patirūpa-desa vāsō ca - Pubbe ca kata-puññatā To reside in a suitable locality, to have done meritorious actions in the past, Attasammā panidhi ca - Etam mangala muttamam and to have set oneself on the right course (towards emancipation). This is the Supreme Blessing. Bāhusaccañ ca sippañ ca - Vinayo ca susikkhito Vast-learning, perfect handicraft, a highly trained discipline Subhāsitā ca yā vācā - Etam mangala muttamam and pleasant speech. This is the Supreme Blessing. Mātāpitū upatthānam - Putta-dārassa sangaho The support of father and mother, the cherishing of wife and children Anākulā ca kammantā - Etam mangala muttamam and peaceful occupations. This is the Supreme Blessing. Dānañ ca dhamma-cariyā ca - Ñātakānañ ca sangaho Liberality, righteous conduct, the helping of relatives Anavajjāni kammāni - Etam mangala muttamam and blameless actions. This is the Supreme Blessing. Ārati virati pāpā - Majjapānā ca saññamo To cease and abstain from evil, forbearance with respect to intoxicants Appamādo ca dhammesu - Etam mangala muttamam and steadfastness in virtue. This is the Supreme Blessing. Gāravo ca nivāto ca - Santutthī ca kataññutā Reverence, humility, contentment, gratitude and Kālena dhamma savanam - Etam mangala muttamam opportune hearing of the Dhamma. This is the Supreme Blessing. Khantī ca sovacassatā - Samanā nañca dassanam Patience, obedience, sight of the Samanas (holy men) Kālena dhamma sākacchā - Etam mangala muttamam and religious discussions at due season. This is the Supreme Blessing. Tapō ca brahmacariyan ca - Ariya-saccāna dassanam Self-control, pure life, perception of the Noble Truths Nibbāna-sacchi-kiriyā ca - Etam mangala muttamam and the realisation of Nibbāna. This is the Supreme Blessing. Putthassa lōka dhammehi - Cittam yassa na kampati He whose mind does not flutter, by contact with worldly contingencies, Asokam virajam khemam - Etam mangala muttamam sorrowless, stainless and secure. This is the Supreme Blessing. Etādisāni katvāna - Sabbattha-maparājitā To them, fulfilling matters such as these, everywhere invincible, Sabbattha sotthim gacchanti - tam tesam mangala-muttamam’ti in every way moving happily. These are the Supreme Blessings. Mangala Sutta  |
