Bhikkhu Pesala
An Exposition of the Maṅgala Sutta
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Contents
Blessing: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38
The Maṅgala Sutta
The Maṅgala Sutta is found in the Suttanipāta. Translations by Venerable Dr Hammalawa Saddhātissa, and by Bhikkhu Bodhi (with the commentary) are available. The Suttanipāta contains the three most popular Paritta Suttas: Metta Sutta, Maṅgala Sutta, and Ratana Sutta, and many other important Suttas, such as the Kasībhāradvāja Sutta, Parābhava Sutta, Vasala Sutta, Salla Sutta, and Vāseṭṭha Sutta.
To learn the correct pronunciation, you can listen to the chanting of Mingun Sayādaw U Vicittasāra of Burma.
The Pāḷi Text
Suttanipāta, vv 261-272
Evaṃ me sutaṃ. Ekaṃ samayaṃ Bhagavā Sāvatthiyaṃ viharati Jetavane Anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṃ Jetavanaṃ obhāsetvā yena Bhagavā tenupasaṅkami, upasaṅkamitvā Bhagavantaṃ abhivādetvā ekamantaṃ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṃ ṭhitā kho sā devatā Bhagavantaṃ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:
261. Bahū devā manussā ca, maṅgalāni acintayuṃ
Ākaṅkhamānā sotthānaṃ, brūhi maṅgalamuttamaṃ
262. Asevanā ca bālānaṃ, paṇḍitānañca sevanā
Pūjā ca pūjaneyyānaṃ, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ
263. Patirūpa desavāso ca, pubbe ca katapuññatā
Attasammāpaṇidhi ca, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ
264. Bāhusaccañca sippañca, vinayo ca susikkhito
Subhāsitā ca yā vācā, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ
265. Mātāpitu upatthānaṃ, puttadārassa saṅgaho
Anākulā ca kammantā, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ
266. Dānañca dhammacariyā ca, ñātakānañca saṅgaho
Anavajjāni kammāni, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ
267. Āratī viratī pāpā, majjhapānā ca saṃyamo
Appamādo ca dhammesu, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ
268. Gāravo ca nivāto ca, santuṭṭhi ca kataññutā
Kālena dhammasavanaṃ, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ
269. Khantī ca sovacassatā, samaṇānañca dassanaṃ
Kālena dhammasākacchā, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ
270. Tapo ca brahmacariyañca, ariyasaccāna dassanaṃ
Nibbāna sacchikiriyā ca, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ
271 Phuṭṭhassa lokadhammehi, cittaṃ yassa na kampati
Asokaṃ virajaṃ khemaṃ, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ
272. Etādisāni katvāna, sabbattham apparājitā
Sabbattha sotthiṃ gacchanti, taṃ tesaṃ maṅgalamuttaman’ti.
Translation
Bhikkhu Pesala
Thus have I heard: “Once the Blessed One was dwelling near Sāvatthi in the Jetavana monastery built by Anāthapiṇḍika (a wealthy merchant of Sāvatthi). Then a certain deity at midnight, having illuminated the whole Jeta-grove with surpassing splendour, came to the presence of the Blessed One. Having worshipped the Blessed One, he stood at one side and then addressed the Blessed One in verse:
261. Many gods and men, have pondered on auspicious ¹ signs
Wishing for blessings. Please tell us the most auspicious signs.
262. Not to associate with fools, but to associate with the wise
And to honour those worthy of honour, this is the most auspicious sign.
263. Living in a suitable locality, and good deeds done in the past,
To set oneself in the right course, this is the most auspicious sign.
264. Great learning and skill in work, a highly trained discipline
And well-spoken speech, this is the most auspicious sign.
265. Looking after one’s mother and father, caring for one’s wife and children
And an honest livelihood, this is the most auspicious sign.
266. Generosity and a righteous life, caring for one’s relatives
And blameless actions, this is the most auspicious sign.
267. To abhor and avoid all evil, abstention from intoxicants
And diligence in righteousness, this is the most auspicious sign.
268. Reverence, humility, contentment and gratitude.
Hearing the Dhamma at the right time, this is the most auspicious sign.
269. Patience and compliance and seeing the monks.
Opportune discussion of the Dhamma, this is the most auspicious sign.
270. Self-restraint and a holy life, seeing the Four Noble Truths
And realising nibbāna, this is the most auspicious sign.
271. When affected by worldly conditions, if one’s mind remains unshaken;
Sorrowless, stainless and secure, this is the most auspicious sign.
272. Those who perform such auspicious deeds are undefeated by all enemies
And gain happiness everywhere, these are the most auspicious signs.”
Explanation of the Discourse
The Introduction
Many discourses begin, “Thus have I heard.” These were the words uttered by Venerable Ānanda when questioned by Venerable Mahākassapa regarding the Maṅgala Sutta. “Where was the discourse given, about what, by whom, to whom?” So Venerable Ānanda began by relating that at one time the Blessed One was staying at Sāvatthi, in Prince Jeta’s grove donated by Anāthapiṇḍika. Then, late in the night, a certain deity approached the Blessed One, illuminating the Jeta grove with his radiance. Having worshipped the Blessed One, the deity stood at one side and asked, “Many gods and men have pondered on blessings or auspicious signs (maṅgala). Please tell us which are the most auspicious signs for one’s welfare and future prosperity.”
The Commentary explains that at that time in India, people held many superstitious beliefs regarding portents and omens that foretold success or failure. People could not agree with one another, and the deities were also debating this matter without any satisfactory resolution. Therefore, the deity approached the Blessed One for a definitive answer. The first verse is this deity’s question. The Buddha replied with a graduated discourse in verse, enumerating thirty-eight practical blessings.
1. Not to Associate with Fools
Those who do not observe basic morality are called fools. One may be learned in the sense of knowing Dhamma, Vinaya, and Abhidhamma, but if one does not observe moral conduct, one is a fool since shameless and immoral behaviour leads to suffering in this life and the next. Fools hold wrong views, that is why they do immoral deeds, and neglect to do wholesome deeds.
In the ultimate sense, not to associate with fools means to remain aloof from foolishness. Whenever one meets others, one should focus on and encourage wise conduct, and overlook or discourage foolish conduct.
2. To Associate with the Wise
Conversely, the wise are those who observe basic morality carefully. The wise cultivate wholesome deeds such as charity, morality, meditation, reverence, service, learning the Dhamma, etc., and they hold right views. Wise friends restrain us from evil and urge us to do good.
3. To Honour Those Worthy of Honour
People are worthy of honour for many reasons. One should respect those who provide material and spiritual benefits: parents, teachers, employers, monks, public servants, etc. One should also respect those with more refined morality, greater learning, or greater age. Respect is shown by doing service, paying homage, etc.
4. Living in a Suitable Locality
To fulfil the preceding three blessings, one should live in the right place. In some places it is difficult to meet wise and learned teachers who can explain the deeper meaning of the Dhamma. Wherever Buddhism has become well-established there will be many qualified Dhamma teachers, but there will also be many selfish teachers who emphasise charity for the sake of their own material welfare. In general, people get the kind of teacher that they deserve. If you are living close to a wise teacher, it is a rare and great blessing.
5. Good Deeds Done in the Past
To have the power to choose where to live, and with whom to associate, one must have accumulated merits in the past. Most people have a limited choice, and so have to live wherever they can find regular employment and an affordable home. It is very rare indeed to meet a living Buddha or even to hear his genuine teaching. Even if one is born in a Buddhist country, a truly wise teacher is hard to come across, and his time is always in great demand. One who has done many meritorious deeds is born in a devout Buddhist family and gets many opportunities to learn and practise the Dhamma. One who is more interested in sensual pleasures will not gravitate towards Dhamma centres. One who did many evil deeds in the past, even if born into a devout Buddhist family due to one good deed, will gravitate towards those who do evil deeds such as stealing, gambling, drinking, and sexual misconduct.
6. Setting Oneself in the Right Course
It is not easy to build good character. If one fulfils all of the preceding blessings, one will naturally be inclined to cultivate virtue, but most people will have to make special efforts to avoid wrong doing and correct their defects. Knowing one’s faults is a good start, but we need great humility, honesty, and patience to correct ourselves.
“Whoever was heedless before, but afterwards is not,
he illumines this world like the full moon freed from clouds.” (Dhp v 172)
7. Great Learning
The Buddha’s teaching is profound and difficult to understand properly, let alone to practise and realise for oneself. We are very fortunate to have excellent translations of the Buddha’s teachings in English, and many other books by eminent meditation masters. We should study the Dhamma whenever possible to deepen and broaden our knowledge. Study, practice, and realisation are all necessary unless we live with an enlightened teacher. In that case, if we practice hard, realisation will follow without study.
8. Practical Skills
Intellectual knowledge is not the same as practical skill. One can read and write cookery books without being a good cook. Another person may be able to cook very well indeed, without reading any books. Meditation also needs many hours of practical training under the guidance of a skilled meditation teacher. We should try to acquire all kinds of practical skills to develop our knowledge and wisdom. Mastering any skilled craft requires spiritual qualities such as humility, patience, concentration, and perseverance. Every child should be taught basic life skills such as cooking, swimming, first-aid, road safety, cycling, and how to use social media and mobile phones.
9. A Highly Trained Discipline
The Dhamma cannot be realised by an unmindful, lazy, or shameless person. A devout Buddhist should strive for wisdom, whether they are a householder or one gone forth. Those who have gone forth should have much higher standards of discipline and sense-restraint than householders. Bhikkhus should follow all 227 training precepts, restrain their senses, reflect well on the requisites provided by the faithful, and purify their livelihood. The Buddha said (in the Upakkilesa Sutta, A.ii.53) that a recluse does not shine if he indulges in sexual relations, uses money, drinks intoxicants, or earns a wrong livelihood.²
10. Well-spoken Speech
Our speech is the manifestation of our thoughts. If the mind is impure, it is better not to speak too much. The tongue is the strongest muscle in the body — it can work all day long without getting tired. So a person who can control their own tongue is the strongest person in the world. Our speech cannot always be pleasing to others, but at least it should be aimed at benefit. Flattery and idle-chatter are not well spoken speech, but neither are scolding and self-righteous fault-finding.
11. Looking After One’s Mother and Father
Two people are very difficult to repay: one’s mother and father. If one can help one’s faithless parents to have faith in the Dhamma, or teach them to become moral if they are immoral, it is possible to repay them. Otherwise, it is impossible to repay the debt owed to one’s parents. One should do whatever one can. After their death one should do meritorious deeds to honour them.
12. Caring for One’s Wife and Children
The Buddha encouraged people to fulfil their duties to all one’s family members, but he did not urge people to indulge in affection. Since he said, “From affection springs grief, from affection springs fear” how could he have urged people to increase their grief and fear?
Monks who fondle children are preying on the natural affection of parents for their children, to gain favour with lay supporters. Such monks are called “Corrupters of families” and should be banished by the Saṅgha. It is very difficult to get free from attachment, monks should not encourage lay people to indulge in it. What the Buddha means here, is that one should provide and care for one’s family members with loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic-joy, and equanimity. He does not mean that one should indulge in affection, lust, and attachment. Monks should not be attached to their supporters. They should be able to give impartial advice.
13. An Honest Livelihood
One should earn a living with an honest livelihood. abstaining from the five unsuitable businesses (see the Vaṇijjā Sutta), performed with due diligence and integrity. From the Tālapuṭa, Yodhājīva, Hatthāroha, and Assāroha Suttas, one should understand that breaking the precepts, or inciting defilements in others, are unsuitable. Hasty work is usually done badly, and needs to be put right. So one should be systematic and mindful at all times, especially when busy, as that is when accidents and mistakes often happen. One should be alert, diligent, and not discouraged by the weather due to laziness or indulgence in intoxicants.
14. Generosity
Craving and attachment are the causes of suffering. Less craving means less suffering. Buddhists should cultivate generosity and renunciation as much as possible. If a man wakes up to find his house on fire, he will try to get his most valuable property out of the house before it burns down. A Buddhist should therefore try to give away everything before death. Since no one knows when that will be, one should keep only what one needs for one’s daily life and work.
15. A Righteous Life
One’s conduct should accord with the Dhamma. This means far more than just keeping the five precepts and being a pious Buddhist. It means to structure one’s entire life around the Dhamma. A true Buddhist speaks the truth at all costs, and works tirelessly to preserve and promote the true Dhamma. One who is not seeking gain, praise, and fame, cannot be corrupted.
16. Caring for One’s Relatives
Besides supporting and caring for one’s parents, spouse, and children, one should help one’s extended family too. A community becomes strong by mutual help and support. Nevertheless, one should exercise discretion in helping those who lack basic moral qualities. The Buddha said that the trustworthy are the best relatives. If one’s relatives are lazy or dishonest, do not repay loans, and shirk their responsibilities to their parents, the best way to help them is by admonishing them to live in accordance with the Dhamma, to protect them from suffering in the long term.
17. Blameless Actions
This mainly concerns right livelihood. Supporting one’s family by dishonest means will lead to disaster for the whole family. A thief will sooner or later be caught and jailed, a dishonest business will fail, and a wrong livelihood such as selling weapons, pornography, or alcohol will bring many dangers to one’s family. Knowledge and skills should enable one to earn a living without harming others.
18. To Abhor All Evil
Killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, taking drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, are social evils that spread only misery, and bring no real benefit to anyone. A wise person sees the danger in evil deeds, evil speech, and evil thoughts, so takes no interest in doing them.
19. To Avoid All Evil
Naturally, if one abhors evil, one will avoid it. Even if one finds some evil deeds tempting, one should avoid them by reflecting well on the disadvantages. Immoral deeds lead to the loss of reputation, financial repercussions, and rebirth in the lower realms after death. Even if one avoids hell in the next life due to wholesome deeds in this one, evil deeds will always bear fruit as suffering in due course.
20. Abstention from Intoxicants
Buddhists should observe the five precepts, which means total abstention from intoxicants. To control a car is simple, but even a tiny amount of alcohol impairs one’s ability to drive safely. To control the mind is far more difficult, so one should not do anything to make it harder. The fifth precept is an undertaking to abstain from intoxicants that cause heedlessness (pamāda), not just to abstain from getting drunk. The foolish majority heedlessly enjoy sensual pleasures, quite oblivious to their predicament. If we knew for sure that we would be executed tomorrow, how would we spend our precious time today? People are intoxicated with youth, health, and life — failing to see that these good conditions are unstable. Intoxicants only increase their folly.
21. Diligence in Righteousness
To succeed in the practice of Dhamma requires great diligence. If one is slow to do good, the mind easily turns towards unwholesome deeds and thoughts. It is the nature of water to run downhill, unless it is restrained by a dam. The mind also needs to be restrained by wholesome deeds such as morality, learning, and meditation.
22. Reverence
Humility and reverence are two sides of the same coin. Reverence means to respect and give precedence to others. Especially, one should respect parents, teachers, monks, and religious symbols. One should show respect to all by listening patiently to what they have to say.
23. Humility
Even though one may know a great deal, only an Omniscient Buddha knows everything. A humble person continues to learn throughout life. Though one may know how to do something, others may know a better way. Do not assume that you know best. Egoism and pride are hard to subdue. Be mindful when others praise you — they may flatter for the sake of some trivial gain. Never mind if you have the X-Factor, make sure that you have the Why-factor — if something sounds too good to be true then it’s probably not true.
24. Contentment
One who knows that enough is enough will always have enough. Westerners want to live to such high standards that they are seldom content. Need can easily be satisfied, but greed is insatiable. Learn to watch desire every time it arises. If it keeps on arising, and will not go away, maybe you need to satisfy it. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, it will disappear if you just wait a while. “Health is the highest gain. Contentment is the greatest wealth.” (Dhp v 204)
25. Gratitude
The Buddha said that two people are rare in this world: one who is the first to do a favour, and one who is appreciative and grateful. Everything is dependent on conditions, and therefore uncertain. One may think that one has achieved something by one’s own efforts, but that is just pride and egoism. A humble person realises that the efforts of many people are necessary to accomplish anything. Verse 74 of the Dhammapada says: “Let the laymen and monks think that only I did this. In every work, great or small, let them refer to me.” — Such is the aspiration of the fool: his desires and pride increase. The Pāḷi word “kataññutā” means that one knows (aññu) what was done (kata) by others for one’s own benefit. The next time you drink some milk, reflect on all that was done to produce it, and bring it safely to your refrigerator.
26. Hearing the Dhamma at the Right Time
The Buddha said that there are two conditions for the arising of right view: systematic attention, and the utterance of another. Listening to the Dhamma respectfully is very important — one should not interrupt or cause any obstruction to the teaching of Dhamma, which will result in abysmal ignorance throughout many lives.
When listening to the Dhamma, refined Buddhists hold the hands in añjali, pointing the feet away from the speaker, and paying respectful attention. Sātāgiri deva, while listening to the Dhammacakka Sutta, allowed his attention to wander to thoughts of his friend, who was not present, so he failed to realise the Dhamma at that time.
Tambadāṭhika, a robber in his youth, and a public executioner for the rest of his life, was able to regain rebirth in the Tusita heaven by paying respectful attention to a discourse delivered by the Elder Sāriputta.
27. Patience
The Buddha’s teaching on the perfection of patience is hard to practise. He said, “Monks, if robbers should sever your limbs with a two-handled saw, one who felt hatred towards them would not be practising my teaching.” Whatever the justification, anger is always unwholesome, but it is hard to eradicate. Even Stream-winners and Once-returners still have anger. If we get angry, or feel aversion, we should strive to overcome it with patience.
This does not mean that we should turn a blind eye to wrong-doing and injustice. If everyone turned a blind eye, the whole world would become blind. We should courageously oppose evil, without getting angry, resolutely enduring the contempt and hatred of wicked people who do not revere the true Buddha, the true Dhamma, and the true Saṅgha. One needs patience to accept what cannot be changed, courage to change what should be changed, and wisdom to know the difference.
28. Gentleness
One should be easy to admonish and ever ready to admit one’s faults. A man who cannot make a mistake, cannot make anything. If a monk refuses to admit an offence or to make amends for it, he should be brought into the midst of the Saṅgha and admonished by his fellow monks. If he remonstrates with the Saṅgha after the third admonishment, he falls into a serious offence entailing a formal meeting of the Saṅgha.
When questioned by Kesi, the horse-trainer, the Buddha said that he ‘kills’ a monk who refuses to follow the training. This means that virtuous monks think he is not worth speaking to about the training, so he becomes a ‘dead’ monk who is incapable of any spiritual progress until he admits his faults and accepts admonishment.
29. Seeing the Monks
‘Dassana’ means ‘seeing,’ but it could also mean ‘meeting.’ When Sāriputta and Moggallāna were in search of the Dhamma, Sāriputta saw Venerable Assaji walking for alms. Venerable Assaji was walking gracefully, with his eyes downcast, his limbs restrained, serene, and inspiring confidence. Sāriputta wanted to speak to him, but respectfully waited until he had finished his almsround. He followed him to the edge of town, approached him, exchanged friendly greetings, and stood at one side. He asked him who his teacher was, and what he taught. Venerable Assaji, though an Arahant, humbly replied that he was not long gone-forth and could explain the Dhamma only briefly. When Assaji uttered a single verse, Sāriputta realised the Dhamma. Seeing Venerable Assaji was enough to inspire confidence, but questioning him was necessary to arrive at understanding. After Sāriputta ordained and became the Buddha’s chief disciple, he always remembered his first teacher. Before resting, Sāriputta would ask where Assaji was staying, and would lie down with his head pointing in that direction. Such is the great esteem and gratitude shown by the wise to Dhamma teachers.
30. Opportune Discussion of the Dhamma
We can see from this story, too, that it was important to ask about the Dhamma. One can arrive at right understanding only by investigating the Dhamma thoroughly. If one is not satisfied with the answers given, one should ask other teachers, and refer to the texts quoted to see if the answers were correct, and that one did not misunderstand anything. One should meditate hard to gain deep insight, only after clarifying the right method. If one practises hard, but follows the wrong method, one will reap only frustration and disappointment.
The traditional Buddhist discourse is often a one-way lecture, with little or no response from the audience, but if you read the teachings in the Pāḷi texts, you will find that nearly all were at least given in reply to a question or questions, and many discourses are dialogues, not lectures.
31. Self-restraint
As the Maṅgala Sutta progresses it deals with the higher stages of the path, culminating in Arahantship. Some people think that the Middle Path is a moderate path, which needs only a little bit of effort. They are lazy people, with no hope of attaining nibbāna. To overcome attachment we must restrain desire as much as possible.
This blessing refers to the practise of austerity and abstemiousness. Eat little, sleep little, talk little, and strive hard. This applies especially to monks and nuns, but lay people must also renounce sensual pleasures if they wish to strive for nibbāna. Five precepts are enough for one’s daily life, but to develop concentration and insight one needs the refinement of eight precepts, which means abstaining from indulgence in sensual pleasures.
The practice of taking the eight precepts in the morning, then taking the five precepts again in the evening, is not right. In the Uposatha Sutta, in the Book of Threes, which the Buddha taught to Visākhā, he described such observance as ‘the Cowherd’s Uposatha.’ The cowherd thinks, “Today the cattle have grazed here, tomorrow they will graze there.” Likewise, those who spend the Uposatha day thinking, “I will eat such and such tomorrow” (or this evening) are observing the ‘Cowherd’s Uposatha’ — it is not the Uposatha of the Noble Ones. One should observe eight precepts for at least twenty-four hours, otherwise what has one renounced? People do not usually enjoy sexual pleasures during the daytime anyway, so they are not observing chastity any more than usual if they revert to five precepts again in the evening.³
32. A Holy Life
Chastity should be practised by lay people too, at least for a limited period. Though one has to struggle against desire whenever it arises, gradually one will learn to avoid thoughts that lead to passion. Then one can enjoy the benefits of non-attachment and dispassion. As long as one is still attached to the body, it will not be possible to gain deep concentration and insight. One must purify the mind through meditation, and dispel any sensual thoughts that arise. Attachment and lust will always leak in if the mind is not carefully protected.
33. Seeing the Four Noble Truths
When the mind is dispassionate and well concentrated, the Four Noble Truths gradually become clearer. These four truths are undeniable, but we deny them all the time. We think that life is happy, permanent, and subject to our control, but it is none of these. We ignore the unpleasant ultimate truth, and accept the pleasant apparent truth, which is nothing but ignorance and delusion. The Noble Ones are undeluded.
Everyone wants happiness, but most get only suffering because they do not know the right path. Those who know the right path, confront suffering head-on, and investigate its causes, so they will soon find happiness by realisation of the Four Noble Truths. If a man throws a stick at a tiger, the tiger will attack the man, but if a man throws a stick at a dog, the dog will attack the stick. One should attack suffering like a tiger, not like a dog.
34. Realising Nibbāna
When the truth of suffering has been fully understood, the other three truths are simultaneously understood. The fruition of nibbāna will follow on immediately after attainment of the path. After a Stream-winner has realised nibbāna for the first time, he or she enjoys the bliss of fruition for only two or three thought-moments. Later, he or she develops concentration and learns to abide in fruition for longer periods. The Buddha and the Arahants used to abide in the fruition of nibbāna very often. How peaceful and contented they must have been! They were never frustrated and dissatisfied like those who seek for and indulge in sensual pleasures. Ordinary persons can enjoy momentary nibbāna every time they renounce defilements.
35. A Mind That Remains Unshaken
When the highest path has been attained, the Arahant is unaffected by gain and loss, praise and blame, fame and defame, happiness and sorrow, when touched by the ups and downs of worldly life.
A Zen Story: A young girl got pregnant, but did not want to reveal the father. When pressed by her parents, she said it was a monk living in the local monastery. The parents scolded the monk, but he just smiled without protesting. When a boy was born, they took him to the monk and left him. The monk devotedly cared for the boy for seven years. When the girl married, she wanted her boy back, so went and took him. The monk smiled and blessed her and the boy, wishing them every happiness. He did not sorrow over the loss of his novice.
36. Sorrowless
An Arahant is completely free from sorrow, grief, and despair. A truly mindful meditator can enjoy similar bliss through keen awareness. No craving means no suffering.
“From affection springs grief, from affection springs fear.
If there is no affection, whence grief, whence fear?” (Dhp v 212)
37. Stainless
Since there are no defilements at all, there cannot be any suffering. The mind of the Arahant is always bright and free from mental hindrances. They need very little sleep, but have tremendous energy.
The Buddha’s daily routine was remarkable — after teaching his lay disciples in the early evening, and the monks until about midnight, he then taught the deities who approached during the early hours. Still, he did not sleep, but practised walking meditation. Finally, he slept only for about one hour, before getting up to meditate long before dawn, and surveyed the world using his divine eye to see who was ready to understand his teachings on that day.
All of the Arahants have the ability to enjoy the fruition of nibbāna for brief or long periods. If you have done any serious meditation, you can probably appreciate how refreshing it is to keep the mind inwardly focused.
38. Secure
The Arahant has nothing to fear, and cannot fall back to a lower stage. He or she has done what should be done by one born as a human being, rebirth is destroyed and the final attainment of parinibbāna is assured. The Arahant therefore enjoys indescribable bliss, twenty-four hours a day, and seven days a week. How could one know that Arahantship is blissful? Without having one’s hands and feet cut off, could one know that it is painful? Indeed one could, by hearing the cries of those who have had them cut off. Likewise, one can know that Arahantship is blissful by meeting the Arahants, by listening to their Dhamma teachings, or by reading their Dhamma books. Therefore, please read Dhamma books by great meditation masters whenever you have any free time.
Attaining Happiness Everywhere
The twelfth and final verse concludes by saying that one who fulfils these blessings cannot be defeated by anyone, and attains happiness everywhere.
This remarkable discourse should be learnt by heart and studied by all Buddhists. It shows how pragmatic the Buddha’s teaching is. There is no room for superstition and rituals. Understanding and practice are vital, blind devotion and lip-service are futile. One who diligently practises the Dhamma shows how much they revere the Buddha.
What blessings could one possibly get by allowing the mind to wander elsewhere while supposedly listening to the Maṅgala Sutta, or reciting it by rote if one neither understands the meaning, nor practices its teachings? At best, one will make the wholesome kamma of reverence while listening or chanting. At worst, it is just like bathing in the Ganges to wash away one’s sins. However, if one recites or listens to it reverentially, while reflecting on the meaning, one will make powerful wholesome kamma.
The Seven Stages of Purity
- To purify morality (sīla-visuddhi), one has to sincerely undertake and fully observe five, eight, ten, or 227 precepts.
- To purify the mind (citta-visuddhi), one has to meditate long enough to dispel the five hindrances and gain concentration.
- To purify one’s view (diṭṭhi-visuddhi), one has to understand the Dhamma properly.
- To gain purification by overcoming doubt (kaṅkhāvitaraṇa-visuddhi), one has to gain insight into the three characteristics.
- To purify one’s knowledge of the path (maggāmagga- ñāṇadassana-visuddhi), one has to distinguish between tranquillity and insight.
- To purify knowledge and vision (paṭipadā-ñāṇadassana-visuddhi), one has to develop deep insight.
- To realise nibbāna (ñāṇadassana-visuddhi), one has to penetrate and rightly understand the Noble Truth of Suffering.
These seven stages of purity must be followed by one and all to attain the goal of Buddhism. The Maṅgala Sutta teaches us how we can ascend to the highest goal in gradual steps. It provides many practical guidelines for both lay and monastic followers of the Buddha. Memorise this short discourse, and recite it regularly to enjoy many blessings.
Notes:
- Etymology is derived from Latin auspicium, divination by watching birds.
- Twenty-one kinds of wrong livelihood for bhikkhus: 1) medical practice, 2) conveying messages, 3) doing things at the behest of laymen, 4) lancing boils, 5-17) giving: medicinal oil, emetics, purgatives, oil for nose-treatment, medicinal oil, bamboos, leaves, flowers, fruits, soap‑clay, tooth‑sticks, water for washing the face, or talcum-powder, 18) flattery, 19) half‑truths, 20) fondling children, and 21) running errands. Wrong livelihood by deception: 1) inducing people to make offerings by: a) pretending that one does not want to receive alms, but accepting out of compassion; b) insinuating that one has attained jhāna, magga, and phala; c) feigning deportment to make people think that one is a Noble One; 2) talking to please donors to acquiring gain, honour, and fame; 3) inviting offerings by giving hints; 4) harassing to induce offerings; 5) giving something to getting something more. See Visuddhimagga pp 23ff for further details.
- See Observing the Uposatha.