The Highest Blessing

Maṅgalasutta, Blessing, Translated by Bhikkhu SujatoSO 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:“Many gods and humanshave thought about blessingsdesiring well-being:declare the highest blessing.”“Not to fraternize with fools,but to fraternize with the wise,and honoring those worthy of honor:this is the highest blessing.Living in a suitable region,having made merit in the past,being rightly resolved in oneself,this is the highest blessing.Education and a craft,discipline and training,and well-spoken speech:this is the highest blessing.Caring for mother and father,kindness to children and partners,and unstressful work:this is the highest blessing.Giving and righteous conduct,kindness to relatives,blameless deeds:this is the highest blessing.Desisting and abstaining from evil,avoiding drinking liquor,diligence in good qualities:this is the highest blessing.Respect and humility,contentment and gratitude,and timely listening to the teaching:this is the highest blessing.Patience, being easy to admonish,the sight of ascetics,and timely discussion of the teaching:this is the highest blessing.Fervor and chastityseeing the noble truths,and realization of extinguishment:this is the highest blessing.Though touched by worldly conditions,their mind does not tremble;sorrowless, stainless, secure:this is the highest blessing.Having completed these things,undefeated everywhere;everywhere they go in safety:this is their highest blessing.”