The is a discourse (Pali: sutta) of Gautama Buddha on the subject of 'blessings' (mangala, also translated as 'good omen' or 'auspices' or 'good fortune').For example, Rhys Davids & Stede (1921-25), p. 513, entry for "Mangala" (retrieved 08-28-2008 from "U. Chicago" at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.2:1:3740.pali) translates mangala as 'good omen, auspices, festivity.' In this discourse, Gautama Buddha describes 'blessings' that are wholesome personal pursuits or attainments, identified in a progressive manner from the mundane to the ultimate spiritual goal. In Sri Lanka, this sutta considered to be part of "Maha Pirith".
This discourse is recorded in Theravada Buddhism's Pali Canon's Khuddaka Nikaya in two places: in the Khuddakapāṭha (Khp 5), and in the Sutta Nipāta (Sn 2.4).Sn, pp. 46f In the latter source, the discourse is called the Mahāmangala Sutta. It is also traditionally included in books of 'protection' (paritta). It is also found in the Tibetan Canon, in the Kangyur (བཀའ་འགྱུར།).
Content The discourse was preached at Jetavana Temple in answer to a question asked by a deva as to which things in this world could truly be considered blessings (mangalāni). The sutta describes thirty-eight blessings in ten sections,Khp.pp.2f as shown in the table below:
Gp.1Not associating with foolsAssociating with the wiseExpressing respect to those worthy of respect Gp.2Living in an amenable locationHaving meritorious deeds (Good Karma) in one's pastSetting oneself up properly in lifeGp.3LearnednessArtfulnessSelf-disciplineArtful speechGp.4support father & motherCherishing one's childrenCherishing one's spousePeaceful occupationsGp.5GenerosityDhamma practiceCaring for extended familyBlameless actionsGp.6Avoiding unwholesomenessNot drinking intoxicantsNon-recklessness in the DhammaGp.7RespectHumilityContentmentGratitudeListening regularly to Dhamma teachingsGp.8PatienceBe easily admonishedSight of a True MonkRegular discussion of the DhammaGp.9Practising AusteritiesPractising the Brahma-faringSeeing the Four Noble TruthsAttainment of NirvanaGp.10Mind free of Worldly VicissitudesSorrowlessnessFree of Subtle DefilementsBlissful Mind
Traditional context The post-canonical Pali CommentaryKhpA.vii.; SnA.i.300 explains that at the time the sutta was preached there was great discussion over the whole of Jambudvipa regarding the definition of blessings. The devas heard the discussion and argued among themselves till the matter spread to the highest Brahmā world. Then it was that Sakka suggested that a deva should visit the Buddha and ask him about it.
This sutta is one of the suttas at the preaching of which countless devas were present and countless beings realized the Truth.SnA.i.174; BuA.243; AA.i.57,320
Uses The sutta is often recited, and forms one of the commonest pieces of chanting used for the Paritta. To have it written down in a book is considered an act of great merit.MA.ii.806
History King Dutugamunu of Anuradhapura preached the Mangala Sutta at the Lohapasada. The Mahāvaṃsa XXXII. 43, translation by George Turnour (1837), read online :
The preaching of the Mangala Sutta was one of the incidents of the Buddha's life represented in the Relic Chamber of the Ruwanwelisaya.The Mahāvaṃsa XXX. 83, translation by George Turnour (1837), read online :
See also Four Noble Truths Metta Sutta Paritta - Traditional Buddhist "Protective Scriptures", including Mangala Sutta Ratana Sutta Sutta Nipata
References
Sources Rhys Davids, T.W. & William Stede (eds.) (1921-5). The Pali Text Society's Pali–English Dictionary. Chipstead: Pali Text Society. A general on-line search engine for the PED is available at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/dictionaries/pali/.
External links
Bhikkhu Ānandajoti (trans.). The Discourse on the Blessings (Khp 5). Bhikkhu Brahmali (trans.) (2015). The Greatest Good Fortune (Sn 2.4). Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (1994). Mangala Sutta: Protection (Khp 5). Retrieved from "Access to Insight" on 08-15-2008 at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/khp/khp.1-9.than.html#khp-5. Life’s Highest Blessings: The Maha-Mangala Sutta: Translation and Commentary by Dr R.L.Soni A Day of Practice and Discussion, Inspired by the Maṇgala Sutta, by Sharon Salzberg, Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, Spring 2000 Mangala Suta Uannana by Ven. K. Gunaratana Thera (docx- file 69kB) [* Chandrabodhi chants the Mahamangala Sutta and other suttas in an 'Indian style' at and Sangharakshita reads the Mahamangala and Karaniyametta suttas, although with other readings from the Pali Canon at both retrieved from freebuddhistaudio.com