Maha-Mangala Sutta

The Buddha Dhamma is very profound and subtle. It can be understood completely only by those who have developed Panna, wisdom in its fullest sense, meaning penetrative insight into causes and their effects.*

Yet, at the same time, because the Dhamma is universal, it has some aspects that are very simple and can be understood, appreciated and followed by ordinary people of mundane outlook. Of it's three basic divisions, Sila, Samadhi and Panna, which march together to the ultimate fulfilment, the goal of Nibbana, it is Sila - right conduct or virtuous living - that is the chief concern of the average person. And rightly so, because Sila is the starting point of Buddhism, from which all higher attainments are reached.

The beautiful lotus blooms with its roots in the muddy mire, and so also man who seeks to crown his life with the supreme achievement of Nibbana must stand with his feet in the mire of worldly conditions, and must so live that he is unaffected by the impurities around him. Like the lotus, he cannot change the environment that gave him birth, but he can raise himself above it and live in truth and purity as the lotus blooms the sun.

The moral principles laid down by the Buddha in the Maha-Mangala Sutta, are so beautiful in their simplicity, so stamped with the hallmark of eternal truth, that all people of intelligence and goodwill, no matter what their own creed may be, must acknowledge and agree with them. In this magnificent and yet essentially simple sermon there is no word that is ambiguous or open to misconstruction, no phrase that could possibly be distorted its simple clarity, and no thought that is not for the highest welfare of all people at all times.

The Verses

Not to associate with fools

But to associate with the wise,

To honour those who are worthy of honour,

These are the highest Blessings.

Dwelling in a suitable region,

Having done meritorious deeds in the past,

Right resolve and intention,