Mangala Sutta: 38 Blessings (Part 2/3)

The elements of this group reveal the steps for further personal development which should be taken when we have established ourselves in family and work. Once we have attained these Personal Blessings, the transition towards higher spiritual ideals becomes very smooth.

Part 3: The Personal Blessings 

14. To be charitable

15. To practice virtuous conduct

16. To be of help to relatives and friends

17. To do social services

18. To abstain from evil

19. To have no desire for evil

20. To refrain from intoxicants

21. To be diligent in wholesome practice

14. To be charitable 
Greed, craving and excessive attachment are causes of misery and suffering. By practicing charity, we weaken these negative traits and instead cultivate compassion, generosity and selflessness. We can help others materially through our efforts or donations, or spiritually by sharing the Dhamma. Charity should be practiced without regret, discrimination or ulterior motives. Genuine kindness to others brings much love and goodwill for ourselves and also for our family. It is a great blessing to be in the fortunate position of being able to help others. And by doing so we ensure ourselves of more blessings in the future too.

15. To practice virtuous conduct 
Instead of just following a code of discipline and avoiding negative actions, we can go on to a higher level of practice. A good way of doing this is to observe the positive aspects of the Five Precepts. This will lead to even greater spiritual progress.

The Five Positive Precepts 
1. The practice of harmlessness and compassion.

2. The practice of kindness and generosity.

3. The practice of faithfulness and responsibility.

4. The practice of truthfulness and pleasant speech.

5. The practice of self-control and mindfulness.

16. To be of help to relatives and friends 
Beyond providing for our immediate family, we should also help our relatives and friends if they are in need. As we provide assistance to one another when the need arises, we create goodwill among the people around us, and this further supports our spiritual progress.

17. To do social services 
An even higher expression of generosity would be to assist the community in general. This can be done by helping to build, or making donations towards the building of schools, hospitals, shelters, roads, etc. which are of benefit to everyone. Even the planting of gardens and trees can improve our environment and the ecology of our planet. Just as important is extending our help to the needy, sick and old. If we have the inclination and the means for any kind of social services, we are indeed blessed as we have already developed much generosity and compassion.

18. To abstain from evil 
Evil in the Buddhist context means any act which harms ourselves, others, or both. We should always abstain from all such negative actions.

The Ten Unwholesome Actions 

The three bodily actions of 
1. Killing

2. Stealing

3. Sexual misconduct

The four verbal actions of 
4. Lying

5. Slandering

6. Harsh speech

7. Gossip

The three mental actions of 
8. Covetousness

9. Ill-will

10. Wrong view (eg. not accepting kamma and rebirth)

19. To have no desires for evil 
When we have become firm in observing the Five Precepts and abstaining from the Ten Unwholesome Actions, we will find that we no longer have the desire to commit any of these harmful actions. We begin to truly realize that as we ourselves do not wish to be victims of such harmful actions, we should thus avoid doing such actions to others. It is a great blessing to naturally shy away from doing any harm to others.

20. To refrain from intoxicants 
The Buddha emphasized this point in many teachings, and as one of the Five Precepts, it is the one that ‘protects’ the other four Precepts. He strongly advised against taking intoxicants because once we come under their influence, we become capable of committing any harmful acts that we would otherwise not have done. It would be a great waste to have come this far in our personal development only to have it all go to ruin because of drinking or drugs. Avoiding intoxicants is another great blessing.

21. To be diligent in wholesome practice 
We have understood and now follow what is required for our personal development. The next step is to consolidate our practice and not let it deteriorate because of carelesness, or slip away because of complacency. We should continue to be mindful of keeping up and enhancing our wholesome practices even more. By practicing the Ten Wholesome Actions, we will then find it much easier to go on to the Higher Blessings.

The Ten Wholesome Actions 

The three bodily actions of 
1. Compassion

2. Generosity

3. Self-control

The four verbal actions of 
4. Truthful speech

5. Kind speech

6. Pleasant speech

7. Meaningful speech

The three mental actions of 
8. Sympathetic joy

9. Loving-kindness

10. Right view

Part 4: The Higher Blessings 

22. To have reverence

23. To be humble

24. To be content

25. To be grateful

26. To hear the Dhamma at the right time

27. To have patience

28. To listen to advice

29. To associate with monks and spiritual teachers

30. To discuss and talk about the Dhamma

22. To have reverence 

The focus in life should now be away from the mundane and material. Spiritual ideals have become more important. The Higher Blessings are the final stages of preparation for embarking on the Path to Nibbana.
We can show reverence to the Triple Gem of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha by reflecting on their sublime qualities. Having reverence for elders, monks and spiritual teachers allows for our continued learning and guidance. We can show our reverence by respectful behaviour and careful attendance to them. In addition, showing reverence to the Buddha helps to put us in a good state of mind to learn and practice the Dhamma. Practicing reverence also increases our humility and gratitude.

23. To be humble 
Some who have succeeded in making good progress may start to believe that they already know everything and are better than everyone else. If this happens, it becomes difficult to maintain the right attitude and an open mind to learn from others and accept deeper teachings. Here the Buddha reminds us that pride and conceit are two of the biggest obstacles to sustained spiritual development. It is therefore a great blessing to always remain humble.

24. To be content
Different people have different requirements in life and being content does not mean that we should not work hard or strive to improve ourselves. While material things are necessary for survival and comfort, the key is knowing when one has enough. There are many with immense fortunes who are unhappy because they think they still do not have enough wealth. The wise realize that the constant desire to fulfil material cravings is like drinking salt water to satisfy thirst, and this inevitably leads to dissatisfaction, frustration and suffering. To have found our own level of contentment is to have found true peace of mind. Contentment is the greatest wealth.

25. To be grateful 
It is said that in this world, there are few who will go out of their way to help another. Even fewer still are those who are grateful for the help given to them. Gratitude is usually accompanied by thanks and appreciation, and also by the desire to return any favours done. All this leads to reciprocal kindness and goodwill, and brings even more blessings in the future too.

26. To hear the Dhamma at the right time 
Any time is the right time to read or listen to the Dhamma. However, a good time would be when we are troubled, upset or in doubt. This brings calm, assurance and confidence when we need it the most. Not everyone has the opportunity or the means to be able to hear and learn the Dhamma. We should try to always be in touch with it and not let this great blessing go to waste.

27. To have patience 
It is said that patience is the highest virtue, and it is certainly one of the most difficult qualities to attain. We will always be subject to changing conditions and the vagaries of the people around us. Most of these things are beyond our control and if we allow ourselves to be overly affected by them, we will suffer unnecessary stress, unhappiness and anger. We also need to be patient with ourselves when we make mistakes or slip back on the spiritual path, and to keep on trying our best. Patience is a great blessing as it leads to forbearance, forgiveness and tolerance. It allows us to be calm and serene, and to maintain a cool head and a clear mind in any situation.

28. To listen to advice
Many people find it very difficult to listen to advice, much less accept criticism or have their faults and mistakes pointed out to them. However, we cannot acquire deeper knowledge and make true progress if pride and stubbornness stand in our way. Openness, acceptance and humility when corrected are necessary because we are not perfect and always have more to learn from others.

29. To associate with monks and spiritual teachers 
Meeting such people gives us the opportunity to learn from them and to derive encouragement and inspiration from their wisdom and serenity. It also reminds us that there is more to this world than just the sensual and material, and shows us that there are many who are already well on the spiritual path.
Being with such people should motivate us to practice the Four Brahmaviharas, also known as the Four Heavenly Abodes because cultivating these noble qualities will bring our minds to a spiritual and heavenly state.

The Four Brahmaviharas 
1. Loving-kindness

2. Compassion

3. Sympathetic joy

4. Equanimity

30. To discuss and talk about the Dhamma 
To further support the blessing of hearing and learning the Dhamma is to discuss and talk about it. By doing so, we have the blessing of associating with spiritual friends who are on the same path as ourselves. We also have the opportunity to share what we have learned with others and continue to increase our knowledge and understanding of the Buddha’s teachings. In this way, we are frequently in touch with the Dhamma and this is the factor that leads directly to the Supreme Blessings.