Maṅgala Sutta
“Blessings”
At Jeta’s Grove a deity comes to the Buddha at night and asks him to declare the highest blessing, since many gods and humans have wondered about it. The Buddha answers in verse with a long list: keeping company with the wise rather than fools, a good place to live, education and a craft, well-spoken speech, caring for parents, kindness to children and partners, unstressful work, generosity, blameless deeds, avoiding drink, respect, contentment, gratitude, patience, being easy to correct, timely discussion of the teaching, and finally a mind that does not tremble when touched by worldly conditions.
A note on this text. A deity is the questioner, and the verses mention “merit,” “chastity,” “the noble truths,” and “extinguishment” without explanation.
The full text
Anthology of Discourses 2.4 · Blessings · translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · public domain (CC0) · about 1 min · on SuttaCentral
So 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 placidity,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.”