Content
It was preached at Jetavana Temple in answer to a question asked by a deva as to which things in this world could truly be considered blessings (mangalāni). The sutta describes thirty-eight blessings in ten sections, as shown in the table below:
| Gp.1 | Not associating with fools | Associating with the wise | Expressing respect to those worthy of respect | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gp.2 | Living in an amenable location | Having meritorious deeds in one's past | Setting oneself up properly in life | ||
| Gp.3 | Learnedness | Artfulness | Self-discipline | Artful speech | |
| Gp.4 | Filial piety | Cherishing one's children | Cherishing one's spouse | Not leaving work undone | |
| Gp.5 | Generosity | Dhamma practice | Caring for extended family | Blameless work | |
| Gp.6 | Avoiding unwholesomeness | Not drinking intoxicants | Non-recklessness in the Dhamma | ||
| Gp.7 | Respect | Humility | Contentment | Gratitude | Listening regularly to Dhamma teachings |
| Gp.8 | Patience | Openness to Criticism | Sight of a True Monk | Regular discussion of the Dhamma | |
| Gp.9 | Practising Austerities | Practising the Brahma-faring | Seeing the Four Noble Truths | Attainment of Nirvana | |
| Gp.10 | Mind free of Worldly Vicissitudes | Sorrowlessness | Free of Subtle Defilements | Blissful Mind |
Read more about this topic: Mangala Sutta
Famous quotes containing the word content:
“I would like you to understand completely, also emotionally, that I’m a political detainee and will be a political prisoner, that I have nothing now or in the future to be ashamed of in this situation. That, at bottom, I myself have in a certain sense asked for this detention and this sentence, because I’ve always refused to change my opinion, for which I would be willing to give my life and not just remain in prison. That therefore I can only be tranquil and content with myself.”
—Antonio Gramsci (1891–1937)
“The President has paid dear for his White House. It has commonly cost him all his peace, and the best of his manly attributes. To preserve for a short time so conspicuous an appearance before the world, he is content to eat dust before the real masters who stand erect behind the throne.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“They tell us that women can bring better things to pass by indirect influence. Try to persuade any man that he will have more weight, more influence, if he gives up his vote, allies himself with no party and relies on influence to achieve his ends! By all means let us use to the utmost whatever influence we have, but in all justice do not ask us to be content with this.”
—Mrs. William C. Gannett, U.S. suffragist. As quoted in History of Woman Suffrage, vol. 5, ch. 8, by Ida Husted Harper (1922)