Maṅgala Sutta
The Discourse on Blessings
[Evam-me sutaṁ,] Ekaṁ samayaṁ Bhagavā,
Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati, Jetavane Anāthapiṇḍikassa, ārāme.
I have heard that at one time the Blessed One was staying near Sāvatthī at Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s park.
Atha kho aññatarā devatā, abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkanta-vaṇṇā kevala-kappaṁ Jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā, yena Bhagavā ten’upasaṅkami.
Then a certain devata, in the far extreme of the night, her extreme radiance lighting up the entirety of Jeta’s Grove, approached the Blessed One.
Upasaṅkamitvā Bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekam-antaṁ aṭṭhāsi.
On approaching, having bowed down to the Blessed One, she stood to one side.
Ekam-antaṁ ṭhitā kho sā devatā Bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi.
As she was standing there, she addressed the Blessed One with a verse.
“Bahū devā manussā ca
Maṅgalāni acintayuṁ
Ākaṅkhamānā sotthānaṁ
Brūhi maṅgalam-uttamaṁ.
“Many devas & humans beings give thought to blessing,
desiring well-being. Tell, then, the highest blessing.”
* “Asevanā ca bālānaṁ
Paṇḍitānañ-ca sevanā
Pūjā ca pūjanīyānaṁ
Etam-maṅgalam-uttamaṁ.
[The Buddha:] “Not consorting with fools, consorting with the wise,
paying homage to those who deserve homage: This is the highest blessing.
Paṭirūpa-desa-vāso ca
Pubbe ca kata-puññatā
Atta-sammā-paṇidhi ca
Etam-maṅgalam-uttamaṁ.
Living in a civilized country, having made merit in the past,
directing oneself rightly: This is the highest blessing.
Bāhu-saccañ-ca sippañ-ca
Vinayo ca susikkhito
Subhāsitā ca yā vācā
Etam-maṅgalam-uttamaṁ.
Broad knowledge, skill, discipline well-mastered,
words well-spoken: This is the highest blessing.
Mātā-pitu-upaṭṭhānaṁ
Putta-dārassa saṅgaho
Anākulā ca kammantā
Etam-maṅgalam-uttamaṁ.
Support for one’s parents, assistance to one’s wife & children,
jobs that are not left unfinished: This is the highest blessing.
Dānañ-ca dhamma-cariyā ca
Ñātakānañ-ca saṅgaho
Anavajjāni kammāni
Etam-maṅgalam-uttamaṁ.
Generosity, living by the Dhamma, assistance to one’s relatives,
deeds that are blameless: This is the highest blessing.
Āratī viratī pāpā
Majja-pānā ca saññamo
Appamādo ca dhammesu
Etam-maṅgalam-uttamaṁ.
Avoiding, abstaining from evil; refraining from intoxicants,
being heedful with regard to qualities of the mind: This is the highest blessing.
Gāravo ca nivāto ca
Santuṭṭhī ca kataññutā
Kālena dhammassavanaṁ
Etam-maṅgalam-uttamaṁ.
Respect, humility, contentment, gratitude,
hearing the Dhamma on timely occasions: This is the highest blessing.
Khantī ca sovacassatā
Samaṇānañ-ca dassanaṁ
Kālena dhamma-sākacchā
Etam-maṅgalam-uttamaṁ.
Patience, being easy to instruct, seeing contemplatives,
discussing the Dhamma on timely occasions: This is the highest blessing.
Tapo ca brahma-cariyañ-ca
Ariya-saccāna-dassanaṁ
Nibbāna-sacchi-kiriyā ca
Etam-maṅgalam-uttamaṁ.
Austerity, celibacy, seeing the Noble Truths,
realizing unbinding: This is the highest blessing.
Phuṭṭhassa loka-dhammehi
Cittaṁ yassa na kampati
Asokaṁ virajaṁ khemaṁ
Etam-maṅgalam-uttamaṁ.
A mind that, when touched by the ways of the world,
is unshaken, sorrowless, dustless, secure: This is the highest blessing.
Etādisāni katvāna
Sabbattham-aparājitā
Sabbattha sotthiṁ gacchanti
Tan-tesaṁ maṅgalam-uttamanti.”
Everywhere undefeated when doing these things,
people go everywhere in well-being: This is their highest blessing.”
