Sutta Nipata 2: The Lesser Chapter
2:4 True Blessings
- © Translated from the Pali by Bhante Sujato.(More copyright information)
2:4 True Blessings
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. 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.
Standing to one side, that deity addressed the Buddha in verse:
258
“Many gods and humans
have thought about blessings
desiring well-being:
declare the highest blessing.”
259“
“Not to fraternize with fools,
but to fraternize with the wise,
and honoring those worthy of honor:
this is the highest blessing.
260
Living in a suitable region,
having made merit in the past,
being rightly resolved in oneself,
this is the highest blessing.
261
Education and a craft,
discipline and training,
and well-spoken speech:
this is the highest blessing.
262
Caring for mother and father,
kindness to children and partners,
and unstressful work:
this is the highest blessing.
263
Giving and righteous conduct,
kindness to relatives,
blameless deeds:
this is the highest blessing.
264
Desisting and abstaining from evil,
avoiding alcoholic drinks,
diligence in good qualities:
this is the highest blessing.
265
Respect and humility,
contentment and gratitude,
and timely listening to the teaching:
this is the highest blessing.
266
Patience, being easy to admonish,
the sight of ascetics,
and timely discussion of the teaching:
this is the highest blessing.
267
Austerity and celibacy
seeing the noble truths,
and realization of extinguishment:
this is the highest blessing.
268
Though touched by worldly things,
their mind does not tremble;
sorrowless, stainless, secure,
this is the highest blessing.
269
Having completed these things,
undefeated everywhere;
everywhere they go in safety:
this is their highest blessing.”
Maṅgalasutta
Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.
Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho sā devatā bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:
258"Bahū devā manussā ca,
maṅgalāni acintayuṁ;
Ākaṅkhamānā sotthānaṁ,
brūhi maṅgalamuttamaṁ".
259
"Asevanā ca bālānaṁ,
paṇḍitānañca sevanā;
Pūjā ca pūjaneyyānaṁ,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
260
Patirūpadesavāso ca,
pubbe ca katapuññatā;
Attasammāpaṇidhi ca,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
261
Bāhusaccañca sippañca,
vinayo ca susikkhito;
Subhāsitā ca yā vācā,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
262
Mātāpitu upaṭṭhānaṁ,
puttadārassa saṅgaho;
Anākulā ca kammantā,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
263
Dānañca dhammacariyā ca,
ñātakānañca saṅgaho;
Anavajjāni kammāni,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
264
Āratī viratī pāpā,
majjapānā ca saṁyamo;
Appamādo ca dhammesu,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
265
Gāravo ca nivāto ca,
santuṭṭhi ca kataññutā;
Kālena dhammassavanaṁ,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
266
Khantī ca sovacassatā,
samaṇānañca dassanaṁ;
Kālena dhammasākacchā,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
267
Tapo ca brahmacariyañca,
Ariyasaccāna dassanaṁ;
Nibbānasacchikiriyā ca,
Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
268
Phuṭṭhassa lokadhammehi,
Cittaṁ yassa na kampati;
Asokaṁ virajaṁ khemaṁ,
Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
269
Etādisāni katvāna,
Sabbattha maparājitā;
Sabbattha sotthiṁ gacchanti,
Taṁ tesaṁ maṅgalamuttaman"ti.
Maṅgalasuttaṁ catutthaṁ.