****THE MANGALA SUTTA****                          (A Question on Blessings)A Deva questioned the Buddha on blessings:"Many deities and men yearning for happiness have pondered over those thingthat constitute blessings, tell us then what is the highest blessing?"The Buddha's reply:"Not to associate with fools, but to associate with the wise and to honourthose who are worthy of honour - this brings great blessings.To reside in a congenial place, to have done wise actions in the past and tohave set oneself on the right course - this brings great blessings.Intellectual excellence, skill in handicraft, a highly trained discipline inlife, pleasant and truthful speech - this brings great blessings.Supporting one's father and mother, cherishing wife and children and apeaceful occupation - this brings great blessings.Generosity, righteous conduct, the helping of relatives and blameless actions- this brings great blessings.Ceasing from unwholesome actions, abstaining  from all forms of intoxicantsand the cultivation of virtue - this brings great blessings.Reverence, humility, contentment, gratitude and the timely hearing of theDhamma - this brings great blessings.Patience, associating with persons who embody the truth, taking part inspiritual discussion - this brings great blessings.Self-control, pursuit of the meditative life, perception of the Noble Truthsand the realisation of Nibbana - this brings great blessings.When one's mind is stable and pure, undisturbed by the inevitable trials oflife - this brings great blessings.Those who act in this way, are everywhere invincible and attain to happinessin all circumstances - these then are the highest blessings." Please down load and print - Ven PannyavaroBuddhaNet - Buddhist Information Network Buddha Dhamma Meditation Association Inc.Post Office Box K1020 Haymarket,NSW 2000