The Highest Blessings

Sutta Nipāta 258-272

Many gods and many humans
Have thought a lot about blessings,
Wishing for profound well-being.
—Tell us the highest of blessings;

Not consorting with the foolish,
Consorting only with the wise,
And honoring the honorable.
—This is the highest of blessings.

To live in a suitable place,
To have done good deeds in the past,
And having one’s own proper goal.
—This is the highest of blessings.

Learning a lot, and craftsmanship,
And being well-trained in one’s practice,
Well-spoken in all that is said.
—This is the highest of blessings.

Support for mother and father,
And helping both wife and children,
Spheres of work that bring no conflict.
—This is the highest of blessings.

Generosity, doing right,
And the helping of relatives,
Doing actions that are blameless.
—This is the highest of blessings.

Abstinence from intoxicants,
Diligence among mental states,
—This is the highest of blessings.

Respectfulness, humility,
Contentment and gratitude too,
Hearing the dhamma when timely,
—This is the highest of blessings.

Patience, a gentle character,
And the seeing of ascetics,
Discussing dhamma when timely.
—This is the highest of blessings.

Ardor, spiritual behavior,
Seeing the truths that are noble,
And experiencing nibbāna.
—This is the highest of blessings.

With a mind that does not waver
Even among the worldly things—
Sorrowless, stainless, and secure.
—This is the highest of blessings.

Having acted in just this way,
Being everywhere unconquered,
They go to well-being everywhere.
—That is their highest of blessings.

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