The Mangala Sutta (The
38 Factors of Auspiciousness)
The Mangala Sutta is
one of the most widely known of the Buddha’s discourses. The term “Mangala” means
something good or auspiciousness, or lucky, or a good sign or omen. The Mangala
Sutta is included in the Khuddakapatha, the first book of the
Khuddaka Nikaya. How this Sutta came to be delivered by the Buddha is
mentioned in the Sutta itself. For twelve years, devas and men, wishing to have
happiness and well-being, pondered over the question of what constituted a “Mangala” or
auspiciousness. In those days, people were steeped in superstition and their
actions were mostly guided by certain signs and omens which they considered to
be auspiciousness. There were differences of opinion and they could not get a
consensus among themselves in deciding what exactly was a“Mangala”.Subsequently
the Buddha, greater than all devas and men, was approached and requested to
resolve the problem. He has taught things auspicious which destroy all evils,
which are for good of the whole world. The Mangala Sutta is
also one of the first lessons every Buddhist child has to learn either at home
or at the monastic school.
The Brief Meanings of
the 38 Factors of Auspiciousness
1-Not to associate with
the foolish.
2-To associate only
with the wise.
3-To honour those who
are worthy of the honour.
4-To dwell in a
suitable locality. To live in a suitable place.
5-To have done
meritorious/good deeds in the past.
6-To set oneself in the
right course.
7-To have a wide, general
knowledge in mundane and supra-mundane levels. To have vast learning.
8-Being skilful in the
technology and handicrafts. To be skilful in arts and science.
9-Learning and abiding
by the rules of conduct and disciplines laid down by the Buddha for lay
devotees and monks. To be learned in the moral discipline.
10-Speaking what is
true, pleasant and beneficial to others. To speak good words.
11-To attend closely to
one’s parents. To support parents.
12-To take care of
one’s wife and children. To provide for wife and children.
13-To perform a
faultless work at a proper time. To be engaged in peaceful occupations.
14-Performing acts of
charity. To be generous in alms-giving.
15-To live righteously
performing the ten kinds of meritorious deeds. To be righteous in pure conduct.
16-To support one’s
paternal and maternal relatives with food, money, encouraging words and good
advice. To help one’s relatives.
17-To perform a
blameless action. To be blameless in actions.
18-To resolve mentally
to refrain from all evils. To abstain from bodily misdeed and evil speech.
19-To refrain from
committing three bodily and four verbal evil deeds. To refrain from evil
thoughts.
20-To abstain, refrain
from any intoxicating drinks and drugs.
21-To be steadfast in
moral virtue. Not to be negligent in doing good deeds. To keep the moral
precepts. To practise meditation.
22-To pay respect to
those who are worth of honour, reverence.
23-To be humble and
modest without pride and conceit. To be humble.
24-To be contented with
whatever one possesses presently.
25-To acknowledge
others and repay one’s debt of gratitude.
26-To frequently listen
to the Dhamma.
27-To forgive the
insult caused by others and be patient without bearing a grudge.
28-To obey readily the
advice given by elders and learned persons. To be obedient.
29-To see noble persons
who have purified or are trying to purify their minds from all defilements. To
see holy monks.
30-Discussion of the
Dhamma with learned persons at the proper time can lead one to prosperity in
the present as well as in the future. To holy religious discussions on the
proper occasions.
31-To practise
austerity by controlling one’s sense faculties in order to scorch all
defilements. To possess self-restraint.
32-To undertake the
noble practice such as observing the precepts and developing concentration and
insight knowledge in order to realize the Four Noble Truths. To lead a holy and
chaste life.
33-To have perception
of the Four Noble Truths.
34-To realize Nibbana
and enjoy the highest bliss.
35-To stand steadfastly
with an unshaken mind when one is confronted with the ups and downs of life
worldly conditions. To be unruffled by the weal and woe of life.
36-To be free from all
worries. To be released from sorrow.
37-To have a mind free
from the dust of all defilements such as greed, hatred, ignorance. To be
cleaned from impurities.
38-To possess a
peaceful mind free from all dangers of defilements. To attain absolute
security.