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Maṅgala Sutta — the highest blessings
Paritta (protective chants)

Maṅgala Sutta — the highest blessings

Maṅgalasuttaṃ

The sutta in which the Buddha answers a deity by listing what really counts as a blessing, from not keeping company with fools to a mind unshaken by the ways of the world.

When it is chanted

This is the first chant in the traditional set of seven protective texts, and it is used at every kind of auspicious occasion: a new house, a wedding, a birthday merit-making, the opening of a shop, a house blessing.

You can also chant it at home. Alone, many people chant only the twelve verses, since that is where the content lies.

It works well as a periodic self-review: read the translation slowly and notice which items you are still weak on.

Background

The Maṅgala Sutta stands in the Khuddakapāṭha, volume 25. A deity comes to the Buddha and says that people have argued about blessings for a long time — so what is the highest blessing? The Buddha answers in twelve verses that together list thirty-eight items.

What is striking is that not one of them is an object, an auspicious date or a charm. All thirty-eight are actions and qualities of mind, starting with something as ordinary as choosing your companions and ending with the realisation of Nibbāna.

The Pali here is taken from the Pali Tipiṭaka in this site's database, volume 25 — both the prose opening and all twelve verses.

Pali

  1. Evamme sutaṃ ekaṃ samayaṃ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṃ viharati This is what I heard. Once the Blessed One was staying near Sāvatthī,
  2. Jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme at Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
  3. Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā Late in the night a certain deity of shining beauty
  4. Kevalakappaṃ jetavanaṃ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami lit up the whole of Jeta's Grove and approached the Blessed One.
  5. Upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṃ abhivādetvā ekamantaṃ aṭṭhāsi Having come, she bowed to him and stood to one side.
  6. Ekamantaṃ ṭhitā kho sā devatā bhagavantaṃ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi Standing there, she addressed the Blessed One in verse:
  7. Bahū devā manussā ca maṅgalāni acintayuṃ Many gods and humans have puzzled over blessings,
  8. Ākaṅkhamānā sotthānaṃ brūhi maṅgalamuttamaṃ hoping for safety. Tell us the highest blessing.
  9. Asevanā ca bālānaṃ paṇḍitānañca sevanā Not keeping company with fools, keeping company with the wise,
  10. Pūjā ca pūjanīyānaṃ etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ honouring those worthy of honour: this is the highest blessing.
  11. Paṭirūpadesavāso ca pubbe ca katapuññatā Living in a suitable place, having done good in the past,
  12. Attasammāpaṇidhi ca etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ setting oneself in the right direction: this is the highest blessing.
  13. Bāhusaccañca sippañca vinayo ca susikkhito Wide learning, a skill, a training well undertaken,
  14. Subhāsitā ca yā vācā etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ and words that are well spoken: this is the highest blessing.
  15. Mātāpituupaṭṭhānaṃ puttadārassa saṅgaho Caring for mother and father, looking after partner and children,
  16. Anākulā ca kammantā etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ work that is not left in a tangle: this is the highest blessing.
  17. Dānañca dhammacariyā ca ñātakānañca saṅgaho Giving, living by the Dhamma, helping one's relatives,
  18. Anavajjāni kammāni etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ actions that are blameless: this is the highest blessing.
  19. Āratī viratī pāpā majjapānā ca saññamo Turning away from wrongdoing, refraining from drink,
  20. Appamādo ca dhammesu etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ and diligence in what is wholesome: this is the highest blessing.
  21. Gāravo ca nivāto ca santuṭṭhī ca kataññutā Respect, humility, contentment, gratitude,
  22. Kālena dhammassavanaṃ etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ hearing the Dhamma at the right time: this is the highest blessing.
  23. Khantī ca sovacassatā samaṇānañca dassanaṃ Patience, being easy to speak to, meeting those who are peaceful,
  24. Kālena dhammasākacchā etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ discussing the Dhamma at the right time: this is the highest blessing.
  25. Tapo ca brahmacariyañca ariyasaccānadassanaṃ Ardour, the holy life, seeing the noble truths,
  26. Nibbānasacchikiriyā ca etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ and realising Nibbāna: this is the highest blessing.
  27. Phuṭṭhassa lokadhammehi cittaṃ yassa na kampati A mind that does not shake when touched by the ways of the world,
  28. Asokaṃ virajaṃ khemaṃ etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ sorrowless, stainless, secure: this is the highest blessing.
  29. Etādisāni katvāna sabbatthamaparājitā Those who act in this way are undefeated everywhere;
  30. Sabbattha sotthiṃ gacchanti tantesaṃ maṅgalamuttamanti everywhere they go in safety: this is their highest blessing.
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