Mangala Sutta
(Discourse on Auspicious Blessing)

Thus have I heard. Once the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi in Jeta’s Grove of Anathapindikasa’s Park. (monastery)

Then a certain devata, in the night’s last extreme, whose extreme brilliance lighted up the whole Jeta’s Grove, approached the Exalted One, having approached the Exalted One and revered him, he stood to one side, standing there to one side that devata addressed the Exalted one in verses:

Many devas and men,
Have pondered on blessings
Longing for safety
Tell them the highest blessing

1. Not to consort with fools,
With the wise to consort
And to honour the honourable
This is the highest blessing.

2. Living in befitting places,
In the past to have made merits (punna)
And with oneself rightly guided,
This is the highest blessing.

3. Ample learning and handicraft,
Being well trained in discipline
And that speech which is well spoken,
This is the highest blessing.

4. Support of mother and father,
Cherishing of wife and children
And ways of work without conflict,
This is the highest blessing.

5. Giving and conduct according to the Dhamma
And help for relatives,
With unobstructive kamma
This is the highest blessing.

6. Shrinking abstinence from evil,
Refraining from intoxicants,
Heedfulness in all that is Dhamma,
This is the highest blessing.

7. Respectfulness and humility,
Contentment and gratitude,
The timely hearing of the Dhamma
This is the highest blessing.

8. Patience and meekness when corrected
And sight of samanass,
Timely discussion of Dhamma,
This is the highest blessing.

9. Ardent effort, the divine life leading,
Insight into the Noble Truths,
And the realization of Nibbana,
This is the highest blessing.

10. Though in contact with worldly Dhammas,
Yet his mind is not shaken,
Griefless, dustless, secure,
This is the highest blessing.

11. Since by doing such things
As these (men) are everywhere unvanquished
And go everywhere in safety
This is the highest blessing.