La Reforma Protestante

Preamble to Maṅgala-suttaṃ Introduction to The Highest Blessings Yañca dvādasa vassāni

Cintayiṁsu sadevakā, Cirassaṁ cintayantāpi Neva jāniṁsu maṅgalaṁ

All human and divine beings searched for knowledge of the highest blessings for twelve years. Although they searched for so long, they never knew what these highest blessings were.

Cakkavāḷasahassesu Dasasu yena tattakaṁ Kālaṁ kolāhalaṁ jātaṁ Yāva brahmanivesanā

During that long period of time, due to the question for the highest blessings, chaos (with the quest for the highest blessings) spread throughout the ten thousand-fold universe, rising up even into the Brahma realms.

Yaṁ lokanātho desesi Sabbapāpavināsanaṁ

Yaṁ sutvā sabbadukkhehi Muccantāsaṅkhiyā narā

It was the Lord of the World (the Buddha) who revealed the highest blessings that cause us to relinquish and abandon all sin. Countless numbers of human beings have been brought out of suffering, due to their listening to the highest blessings.

Evamādiguṇūpetaṁ Maṅgalantambhaṇāma he

May we recite these highest blessings, that have all of the benefi ts we have mentioned:

Maṅgala-suttaṃ The Highest Blessings

Evamme sutaṃ. Ekaṃ samayaṃ Bhagavā Sāvatthiyaṃ viharati Jetavane Anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

Thus have I heard (this is Venerable Ananda speak-ing). At one time, the Blessed One was staying at the Jeta Grove Vihara near the City of Savatthi, which was donated by the wealthy Anathapindika to the

Maṅgala-suttaṃ The Highest Blessings Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya

rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṃ Jetavanaṃ obhāsetvā,

Yena Bhagavā, tenupasaṅkami.

Upasaṅkamitvā Bhagavantaṃ abhivādetvā ekamantaṃ aṭṭhāsi.

It was then, after the fi rst watch of the night had passed, that a deva with exquisitely beautiful radiance illuminated the whole Jeta Grove with divine light.

The deva approached where the Buddha was abiding, bowed down low before the Blessed One.

Ekamantaṃ ṭhitā kho sā devatā Bhagavantaṃ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi.

Standing politely to one side, the deva then asked the Exhalted One in verse:

“Bahū devā manussā ca maṅgalāni acintayuṃ Ākaṅkhamānā sotthānaṃ brūhi maṅgalamuttamaṃ.”

“Many are the divine and human beings who wish for well-being and search for the highest blessings. May the Blessed One teach about the ultimate and highest of blessings.”

“Asevanā ca bālānaṃ Paṇḍitānañca sevanā Pūjā ca pūjanīyānaṃ Etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ.

“Avoiding fools and associating with the wise, and honoring those worthy of honor: these three are the highest blessings.

Paṭirūpadesavāso ca Pubbe ca katapuññatā Attasammāpaṇidhi ca Etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ.

Living in suitable places, with [the fruits of] past good deeds, and guided by the rightful way: these three are the highest blessings.

Bāhusaccañca sippañca Vinayo ca susikkhito Subhāsitā ca yā vācā Etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ.

Being well-educated and skillful in the arts, with dis-cipline highly trained, and with speech that is truthful and pleasant: these four are the highest blessings.

Mātāpituupaṭṭhānaṃ Puttadārassa saṅgaho Anākulā ca kammantā Etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ.

Providing for mother and father, and the welfare of one’s children, being truthful and helping one’s spouse, and working diligently: these four are the highest blessings.

Dānañca dhammacariyā ca Ñātakānañca saṅgaho Anavajjāni kammāni Etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ.

Generosity, and practicing Dhamma, offering help to relatives and kin, and making one’s living in harmless ways: these four are the highest blessings.

Maṅgala-suttaṃ The Highest Blessings Āratī viratī pāpā

Majjapānā ca saññamo Appamādo ca dhammesu Etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ.

Restraint from sinful acts, avoiding intoxicants and alcohol, and heedfulness in dhammas: these three are the highest blessings.

Gāravo ca nivāto ca Santuṭṭhī ca kataññutā Kālena dhammassavanaṃ Etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ.

Being respectful to those worthy of respect, humility, contentment with what we have, showing gratitude to others who have cared for us, and listening to the Dhamma at the right time: these fi ve are the highest blessings.

Khantī ca sovacassatā Samaṇānañca dassanaṃ Kālena dhammasākacchā Etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ.

Patience, obedience, seeing peaceful renunciates (samanas), and timely discussion of the Dhamma: these four are the highest blessings.

Tapo ca brahmacariyañca Ariyasaccāna dassanaṃ Nibbānasacchikiriyā ca Etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ.

Making effort to burn out the kilesas, and practicing the Holy Life, seeing for oneself the Noble Truths, and the realization of the Nibbana: these four are the highest blessings.

Phuṭṭhassa lokadhammehi Cittaṃ yassa na kampati Asokaṃ virajaṃ khemaṃ Etammaṅgalamuttamaṃ.

The mind remaining unshaken when touched by worldly things, and the mind without sorrow, the mind that is spotless, and the mind that is secure: these four are the highest blessings.

Etādisāni katvāna Sabbatthamaparājitā

Sabbattha sotthiṃ gacchanti Tantesaṃ maṅgalamuttamanti.”

All divine and human beings who have realized these highest blessings will never be defeated wherever they go. Arriving at and achieving well-being everywhere: this one is the ultimate and highest blessing of all - for all divine and human beings.”