This audio track includes Mangala Sutta, Ratana Sutta and Karaneeya metta Sutta

8. Maha Maṅgala Suttaṁ: Discourse on Blessings

Evaṁ me sutaṁ. Ekaṁ samayaṁ Bhagavā Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati Jetavane Anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ Jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena Bhagavā tenupasaṅkami. Upasaṅkamitvā Bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho sā devatā Bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi.

Thus have I heard: On one occasion, the Blessed One was living in Sāvatthi at Jetavana at Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now when the night was far advanced, a certain deity, whose surpassing radiance illuminated the whole of Jetavana, approached the Blessed One, respectfully saluted him and stood to one side. Standing thus, he addressed the Blessed One in verse:

1. Bahū devā manussā ca – Maṅgalāni acintayuṁ
Ākaṅkhamānā sotthānaṁ – Brūhi maṅgalamuttamaṁ

Many deities and humans longing for happiness have pondered on the questions of blessings. Pray, tell me what are the highest blessings?

2. Asevanā ca bālānaṁ – Paṅḍitānañ ca sevanā
Pūjā ca pūjanīyānaṁ – Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ

Not to associate with the foolish but to associate with the wise and to honor those worthy of honor these are the highest blessings.

3. Patirūpadesavāso ca – Pubbe ca katapuññatā
Attasammāpaṇīdhi ca – Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ

To reside in a suitable locality to have performed meritorious actions in the past, and to set oneself in the right direction these are the highest blessings.

4. Bāhusaccañca sippañca – Vinayo ca susikkhito
Subhāsitā ca yā vācā – Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ

Vast learning, skill in handicraft, well grounded in discipline and pleasant speech these are the highest blessings.

5. Mātāpitū upaṭṭhānaṁ – Puttadārassa saṅgaho
Anākulā ca kammantā – Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ

To support one’s father and mother, to cherish one’s wife and children, and to be engaged in peaceful occupations these are the highest blessings.

6. Dānañca dhammacariyā ca – Ñātakānañ ca saṅgaho
Anavajjāni kammāni – Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ

Generosity, righteous conduct, giving assistance to relatives, and doing blameless deeds these are the highest blessings.

7. Ārati virati pāpā – Majjapānā ca saññamo
Appamādo ca dhammesu – Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ

To cease and abstain from evil, to abstain from intoxicating drinks, and to be diligent in practising the Dhamma these are the highest blessings.

8. Gāravo ca nivāto ca – Santuṭṭhī ca kataññutā
Kālena dhammasavanaṁ – Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ

Paying reverence to those who are worthy of reverence, humility, contentment, gratitude, and the timely hearing of the Dhamma these are the highest blessings.

9. Khantī ca sovacassatā – Samaṇānañca dassanaṁ
Kālena dhammasākacchā – Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ

Patience, obedience, meeting monks and timely discussions on the Dhamma these are the highest blessings.

10. Tapo ca brahmacariyañca – Ariyasaccānadassanaṁ
Nibbāṇasacchikiriyā ca – Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ

Self-control, chastity, understanding the Noble Truths, and the realization of Nibbāna these are the highest blessings.

11. Phuṭṭhassa lokadhammehi – Cittaṁ yassa na kampati
Asokaṁ virajaṁ khemaṁ – Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ

The mind that is not touched by the ups and downs of life; the mind that is free from sorrow, stainless and secure these are the highest blessings.

12. Etādisāni katvāna – Sabbatthamaparājitā
Sabbattha sotthiṁ gacchanti taṁ – Tesaṁ maṅgalamuttaman’ti.

Those who have achieved these blessings are victorious everywhere, and they succeed in all their goals. For them, these are the highest blessings.

Etena saccena suvatthi hotu!
By this truth, may there be well-being!

9. Ratana Suttaṁ: The Jewel Discourse

1. Yānīdha bhūtāni samāgatāni
Bhummāni vā yā niva antaḷikkhe
Sabbeva bhūtā sumanā bhavantu
Athopi sakkacca sunantu bhāsitaṁ

Whatever beings are assembled here, whether on the earth or in the sky, may all these beings have happy minds. Listen closely to my words.

2. Tasmā hi bhūtā nisāmetha sabbe
Mettaṁ karotha mānusiyā pajāya
Divā ca ratto ca haranti ye baliṁ
Tasmā hi ne rakkhatha appamattā

Pay attention all you beings. Show kindness to those humans who, by day and by night, offer much merit to you. Therefore, guard them diligently.

3. Yaṁ kiñci vittaṁ idha vā huraṁ vā
Saggesu vā yaṁ ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Na no samaṁ atthi Tathāgatena
Idampi Buddhe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Whatever treasure in this world or in other worlds; or whatever precious jewel is in the heavens, none is equal to the Buddha. In the Buddha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!

4. Khayaṁ virāgaṁ amataṁ paṇītaṁ
Yadajjhagā Sakyamunī samāhito
Na tena Dhammena samatthi kiñci
Idampi Dhamme ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

The calm Sakyan sage found the undefiled dispassionate, deathless, Nibbāna; there is nothing equal to that state. In the Dhamma is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!

5. Yaṁ Buddhaseṭṭho parivaṇṇayī suciṁ
Samādimānantarikaññamāhu
Samādhinā tena samo na vijjati
Idampi Dhamme ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

That purity praised by the Buddha called concentration with immediate result; that concentration has no equal. In the Dhamma is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!

6. Ye puggalā aṭṭha sataṁ pasatthā
Cattāri etāni yugāni honti
Te dakkhiṇeyyā Sugatassa sāvakā
Etesu dinnāni mahapphalāni
Idampi Saṅghe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

The Eight Persons praised by the wise, these Four Pairs are the gift-worthy disciples of the Well-Gone-One. Gifts given to them yield abundant fruit. In the Saṅgha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!

7. Ye suppayuttā manasā daḷhena
Nikkāmino Gotama sāsanamhi
Te pattipattā amataṁ vigayha
Laddhā mudhā nibbutiṁ bhuñjamānā
Idampi Saṅghe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Those who are well trained, freed from all defilements, and with minds firm in Gotama Buddha’straining, upon attaining Nibbāna, they plunge into the Deathless, freely enjoying the liberation they have gained. In the Saṅgha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!

8. Yathindakhīlo paṭhaviṁ sito siyā
Catubbhi vātebhi asampakampiyo
Tathūpamaṁ sappurisaṁ vadāmi
Yo ariyasaccāni avecca passati
Idampi Saṅghe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

As a stone post firmly grounded in the earth, cannot be shaken by the four winds, so is the superior person, I say, who clearly sees the Noble Truths. In the Saṅgha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!

9. Ye ariyasaccāni vibhāvayanti
Gambhīrapaññena sudesitāni
Kiñcāpi te honti bhusappamattā
Na te bhavaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ ādiyanti
Idam’pi Saṅghe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Those who comprehend the Noble Truths, well taught by the Buddha of deep wisdom, no matter how negligent, would not take an eighth existence. In the Saṅgha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!

10. Sahāva’ssa dassana sampadāya
Tayassu dhammā jahitā bhavanti
Sakkāyadiṭṭhi vicikicchitañ ca
Sīlabbataṁvā’pi yadatthi kiñci
Catūhapāyehi ca vippamutto,
Cha cābhiṭhānāni abhabbo kātuṁ
Idampi Saṅghe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

For one who has attained to right view, three fetters are at once abandoned: self-centred view, doubt and clinging to wrong practices. Freed from the four planes of misery, he is incapable of committing the six major wrong-doings that lead to hell. In the Saṅgha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!

11. Kiñcā’pi so kammaṁ karoti pāpakaṁ
Kāyena vācā uda cetasā vā
Abhabbo so tassa paṭicchādāya
Abhabbatā diṭṭha padassa vuttā
Idampi Saṅghe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Though he might do some evil deed by body, speech or mind, he cannot hide it; such is impossible for one who has seen the Dhamma. In the Saṅgha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!

12. Vanappagumbe yathā phussitagge
Gimhānamāse paṭhamasmiṁ gimhe
Tathūpamaṁ Dhamma varaṁ adesayi
Nibbāṇagāmiṁ paramaṁ hitāya
Idampi Buddhe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Like woodland groves in blossom in the first heat of summer, is the sublime Dhamma taught by the Buddha leading to Nibbāna, and giving the highest happiness. In the Buddha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!

13. Varo varaññū varado varāharo
Anuttaro Dhamma varaṁ adesayi
Idampi Buddhe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

The excellent Supreme Buddha, the knower of Supreme Nibbāna, the giver of Supreme Nibbāna, the bringer of Supreme Nibbāna, taught the excellent Dhamma. In the Buddha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!

14. Khīṇaṁ purāṇaṁ navaṁ natthi sambhavaṁ
virattacittā āyatike bhavasmiṁ
Te khīṇabījā avirūḷhicchandā
Nibbanti dhīrā yathāyaṁ padīpo
Idampi Saṅghe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ,
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

The liberated ones ’old kamma is destroyed with no new arising, their minds not drawn to future birth. Their old seeds destroyed with no more growing. The Arahants fade out just as this lamp has done. In the Saṅgha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!

15. Yānīdha bhūtāni samāgatāni
Bhummāni vā yāniva antaḷikkhe
Tathāgataṁ devamanussa pūjitaṁ
Buddhaṁ namassāma suvatthi hotu

Whatever beings are assembled here, whether on the earth or in the sky, we respectfully worship the Buddha, honored by gods and humans. May there be well-being!

16. Yānīdha bhūtāni samāgatāni
Bhummāni vā yāniva antaḷikkhe
Tathāgataṁ devamanussa pūjitaṁ
Dhammaṁ namassāma suvatthi hotu

Whatever beings are assembled here, whether on the earth or in the sky, we respectfully worship the Dhamma, honored by gods and humans. May there be well-being!

17. Yānīdha bhūtāni samāgatāni
Bhummāni vā yāniva antaḷikkhe
Tathāgataṁ devamanussa pūjitaṁ
Saṅghaṁ namassāma suvatthi hotu

Whatever beings are assembled here, whether on the earth or in the sky, we respectfully worship the Saṅgha, honored by gods and humans. May there be well-being!

Etena saccena suvatthi hotu!
By this truth, may there be well-being!

10. Karanīya Metta Suttaṁ: Discourse on Loving Kindness

1. Karaṇīyamatthakusalena – Yaṁ taṁ santaṁ padaṁ abhisamecca
Sakko ujū ca sūjū ca – Suvaco cassa mudu anatimānī

One skilled in good wishing to attain that state of peace Nibbāna should act thus: he should be clever upright, exceedingly upright, obedient, gentle and humble.

2. Santussako ca subharo ca – Appakicco ca sallahukavutti
Santindriyo ca nipako ca – Appagabbho kulesu ananugiddho

He should be content, easy to support, with few duties, living lightly, controlled in senses, discerning, courteous and unattached to families.

3. Na ca khuddhaṁ samācare kiñci – Yena viññū pare upavadeyyuṁ
Sukhino vā khemino hontu – Sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā

One should not do any slight wrong which the wise might censure. May all beings be happy and secure! May all beings have happy minds!

4. Ye keci pāṇabhūtatthī – Tasā vā thāvarā vā anavasesā
Dīghā vā ye mahantā vā – Majjhimā rassakāṇukathūlā

Whatever living beings there may be without exception: timid or fearless; long or large, medium, short, subtle or gross,

5. Diṭṭhā vā yeva addiṭṭhā – Ye ca dūre vasanti avidūre
Bhūtā vā sambhavesī vā – Sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā

Visible or invisible, living near or far, born or coming to birth, may all beings have happy minds!

6. Na paro paraṁ nikubbetha – Nātimaññetha katthaci naṁ kanci
Byārosanā paṭighasaññā – Nāññamaññassa dukkhamiccheyya

Let no one deceive another, nor despise anyone anywhere. Neither from anger nor ill will should anyone wish harm to another.

7. Mātā yathā niyaṁ puttaṁ – Āyusā ekaputtamanurakkhe
Evam’pi sabbabhūtesu – Mānasaṁ bhāvaye aparimāṇaṁ

As a mother would risk her own life to protect her only child, even so towards all living beings, one should cultivate boundless loving-kindness.

8. Mettaṁ ca sabba lokasmiṁ – Mānasaṁ bhāvaye aparimāṇaṁ
Uddhaṁ adho ca tiriyañca – Asaṁbādhaṁ averaṁ asapattaṁ

One should cultivate for all the world a heart of boundless loving-kindness, above, below, and all around, unobstructed, without hatred or resentment.

9. Tiṭṭhaṁ caraṁ nisinno vā – Sayāno vā yāvata’ssa vigatamiddho
Etaṁ satiṁ adhiṭṭheyya – Brahmametaṁ vihāraṁ idhamāhu

Whether standing, walking or sitting, lying down or whenever awake, one should develop this mindfulness. This is called “divinely dwelling here.”

10. Diṭṭhiṁ ca anupagamma sīlavā – Dassanena sampanno
Kāmesu vineyya gedhaṁ – Na hi jātu gabbhaseyyaṁ punaretī’ti.

Not falling into wrong views, but virtuous and possessing right view, removing desire for sensual pleasures, one comes never again to birth in the womb.

Etena saccena suvatthi hotu!
By this truth, may there be well-being!