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:

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. That deity addressed the Buddha in verse:

“Bahū devā manussā ca, maṅgalāni acintayuṁ; Ākaṅkhamānā sotthānaṁ, brūhi maṅgalamuttamaṁ”.

“Many gods and humans have thought about blessings desiring well-being: declare the highest blessing.”

“Asevanā ca bālānaṁ, paṇḍitānañca sevanā; Pūjā ca pūjaneyyānaṁ, etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

“Not to fraternize with fools, but to fraternize with the wise, and honoring those worthy of honor: this is the highest blessing.

Patirūpadesavāso ca, pubbe ca katapuññatā; Attasammāpaṇidhi ca, etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

Living in a suitable region, having made merit in the past, being rightly resolved in oneself, this is the highest blessing.

Bāhusaccañca sippañca, vinayo ca susikkhito; Subhāsitā ca yā vācā, etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

Education and a craft, discipline and training, and well-spoken speech: this is the highest blessing.

Mātāpitu upaṭṭhānaṁ, puttadārassa saṅgaho; Anākulā ca kammantā, etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

Caring for mother and father, kindness to children and partners, and unstressful work: this is the highest blessing.

Dānañca dhammacariyā ca, ñātakānañca saṅgaho; Anavajjāni kammāni, etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

Giving and righteous conduct, kindness to relatives, blameless deeds: this is the highest blessing.

Āratī viratī pāpā, majjapānā ca saṁyamo; Appamādo ca dhammesu, etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

Desisting and abstaining from evil, avoiding drinking liquor, diligence in good qualities: this is the highest blessing.

Gāravo ca nivāto ca, santuṭṭhi ca kataññutā; Kālena dhammassavanaṁ, etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

Respect and placidity, contentment and gratitude, and timely listening to the teaching: this is the highest blessing.

Khantī ca sovacassatā, samaṇānañca dassanaṁ; Kālena dhammasākacchā, etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

Patience, being easy to admonish, the sight of ascetics, and timely discussion of the teaching: this is the highest blessing.

Tapo ca brahmacariyañca, Ariyasaccāna dassanaṁ; Nibbānasacchikiriyā ca, Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

Fervor and chastity seeing the noble truths, and realization of extinguishment: this is the highest blessing.

Phuṭṭhassa lokadhammehi, Cittaṁ yassa na kampati; Asokaṁ virajaṁ khemaṁ, Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

Though touched by worldly conditions, their mind does not tremble; sorrowless, stainless, secure: this is the highest blessing.

Etādisāni katvāna, Sabbattha maparājitā; Sabbattha sotthiṁ gacchanti, Taṁ tesaṁ maṅgalamuttaman”ti. Maṅgalasuttaṁ catutthaṁ.

Having completed these things, undefeated everywhere; everywhere they go in safety: this is their highest blessing.”