Mingala Sutta

Maha Mangala Sutta
The Highest Blessing
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
For free distribution only

I have heard that at one time the Blessed One was staying in Savatthi
at Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's park. Then a certain deva, in the far
extreme of the night, her extreme radiance lighting up the entirety of
Jeta's Grove, approached the Blessed One. On approaching, having bowed
down to the Blessed One, she stood to one side. As she stood to one
side, she addressed him with a verse.
Many devas and human beings
give thought to protection,
desiring well-being.
Tell, then, the highest blessing.
The Buddha:
Not consorting with fools,
consorting with the wise,
paying homage to those worthy of homage:
This is the highest protection.
Living in a civilized land,
having made merit in the past,
directing oneself rightly:
This is the highest blessing
Broad knowledge, skill,
well-mastered discipline,
well-spoken words:
This is the highest blessing
Support for one's parents,
assistance to one's wife and children,
consistency in one's work:
This is the highest blessing
Generosity, living in rectitude,
assistance to one's relatives,
deeds that are blameless:
This is the highest blessing.
Avoiding, abstaining from evil;
refraining from intoxicants,
being heedful of the qualities of the mind:
This is the highest blessing.
Respect, humility,
contentment, gratitude,
hearing the Dhamma on timely occasions:
This is the highest blessing
Patience, composure,
seeing contemplatives,
discussing the Dhamma on timely occasions:
This is the highest blessing.
Austerity, celibacy,
seeing the Noble Truths,
realizing Unbinding:
This is the highest blessing.
A mind that, when touched
by the ways of the world,
is unshaken, sorrow-less, dustless, at rest:
This is the highest blessing.
Everywhere undefeated
when acting in this way,
people go everywhere in well being:
This is their highest blessing.