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                         ³ MANGALA SUTTANTA ³
                         ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ


Mangala Suttanta- Discourse on Blessings
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ    Thus have I heard:   On one
occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at the monastery of Anathapindika in
Jeta's Grove near Savatthi.  Now when the night was far spent, a certain deity
whose surpassing splendour illuminated the entire Jeta Grove, came to the
presence of the Blessed One, and, drawing near, respectfully saluted him and
stood at one side.

Standing thus, he addressed the blessed One in verse:

                         Many deities and men,
                         Yearning after good,
                         have pondered on Blessings.
                         Pray, Tell me the Highest Blessings!


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Mangala Sutta (continued)
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ

           Not to associate with fools,
           To associate with the wise,
           and honour those who are worthy of honour-
           This is the Highest Blessing.
 
           To reside in a suitable locality,
           to have done meritorious actions in the past,
           And to set oneself in the right course-
           This is the Highest Blessing.

           Vast-learning, perfect handicraft,
           a highly trained discipline,
           and pleasant speech-
           This is the Highest Blessing.

           The support of father and mother,
           The cherishing of wife and children,
           and peaceful occupations-
           This is the Highest Blessing.

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          Liberality, Righteous conduct,
          The helping of relatives,
          and blameless actions-
          This is the Highest Blessing.

          To cease and abstain from evil,
          Forbearance with respect to intoxicants,
          and steadfastness in virtue-
          This is the Highest Blessing.

          Reverence, humility,
          Contentment, gratitude,
          and oppurtune hearing of the Dhamma-
          This is the Highest Blessing.

          Patience, obedience,
          Sight of Samanas (ascetics),
          and religious discussions at due season-
          This is the highest Blessing.

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          He whose mind does not flutter,
          By contact with worldly contingencies,
          Sorrowless, Stainless, and Secure-
          This is the highest Blessing.

          To them, fulfilling matters such as these,
          Everywhere invincible,
          In every way moving happily-
          These are the Highest Blessings.



   The Mahamangala Sutta indicates not only the course of prepartory training
but it also guides the individual through the journey of life and ultimately
leads him to liberation.



It can be divided into 4 stages:


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The Mangala Sutta (continued)
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ

I) PREPARATION FOR WORLDLY LIFE
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
  1. Laying the foundation through:

      (a) Suitable associations: (1) Not to associate with the foolish
                                 (2) To associate with the wise
                                 (3) To honour those worthy of honour

      (b) Proper habitation:     (4) Residing in a suitable locality
      (c) Past Merits:           (5) To have done merit in the past

  2.      Right Planning:        (6) To set oneself in the right direction

  3.      Right Training:        (7) Vast learning
                                 (8) Perfect handicraft
                                 (9) A discipline good for training
                                (10) Well-uttered speech

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The Mangala Sutta (continued)
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ

II) WAYFARING IN THE WORLD
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ

  1.    Basic responsibilities  (11) The supporting of one's parents
                                (12) Cherishing of wife and children
                                (13) Peaceful occupations

  2.    Social obligations:     (14) Giving
                                (15) Righteous conduct
                                (16) The helping of relatives
                                (17) Blameless actions

  3.    Self-protection:        (18) Ceasing evil
                                (19) Abstaining from evil
                                (20) Avoiding intoxicants

  4.    Conservation of personal
        progress:               (21) Diligence in virtuous practices

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The Mangala Sutta (continued)
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
II) WAYFARING IN THE WORLD

  5.    Cultivation of higher
        qualities:              (22) Reverence
                                (23) Humility
                                (24) Contentment
                                (25) Gratitude
                                (26) Timely hearing of the Dhamma

III) SPIRITUAL PROMOTION
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ

  1.    Spiritual eligibility:  (27) Patience
                                (28) Obedience

  2.    Contact with Religious
        Life:                   (29) The seeing of spiritual persons
                                (30) Timely discussions on the Dhamma


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Mangala Sutta (continued)
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
III SPIRITUAL PROMOTION

  3.    On the Path:            (31) Austerity
                                (32) The Holy Life
                                (33) Seeing the Noble Truths
                                (34) The realisation of Nibbana

  4.    The Fruit:              (35) A mind unshakeable when touched by the
                                     changes of worldly states
                                (36) Sorrowless
                                (37) Stainless
                                (38) Secure

IV) THE GLORIOUS CONCLUSION OF LIFE
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ

    the 'Summun Bonum'          (1) Perfect Invincibility of the person and
                                (2) Lasting Happiness