The light must spill to shine. The thing you must be is yourself.
—REV. THERESA I. SOTO
Recommended Readings & Resources
VERANDA article “Can a Beautiful Home be a Change Agent for an Entire Community?” by Farley Urmston, Co-Founder and Board Member
Videos and teachings from Ven. Kusala, Resident Monk
Essay by Farley Urmston, Co-Founder and Board Member: “How a Prayer Ritual Is Bringing Me Closer to My Father”
Youtube Videos of Cambridge Peace House
Interview with Charles Hallisey, Board Member: “Encounters with the Possible”
Happy Meditation Book by Bhante Kusala. Click to order on Amazon.
Click to open a PDF copy of the book.
Maṅgala Sutta (The Discourse on Blessings), (Khuddakapāṭha – Basic Passages) of Khuddaka Nikāya (Minor Collection)
Evaṃ me sutaṃ: ekaṃ samayaṃ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṃ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṃ jetavanaṃ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami. Upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṃ abhivādetvā ekamantaṃ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṃ ṭhitā kho sā devata bhagavantaṃ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi.
Thus I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then, late at night, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side. That deity addressed the Buddha in verse:
1. Bahū devā manussā ca maṅgalāni acintayuṃ,
Ākaṅkhamānā sotthānaṃ brūhi maṅgalamuttamaṃ
“Many gods and humans have thought about blessings. Desiring their well-being: please declare the highest blessing.”
2. Asevanā ca bālānaṃ paṇḍitānaṃ ca sevanā,
Pūjā ca pūjanīyānaṃ etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.
“Not to associate with fools, but to associate with the wise, and honoring those worthy of honor: this is the highest blessing.
3. Patirūpadesavāso ca pubbe ca katapuññatā
Attasammāpaṇīdhi ca etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.
To reside in a suitable locality, having made merit in the past, to set oneself in the right course, this is the highest blessing.
4. Bāhusaccañca sippañca vinayo ca susikkhito
Subhāsitā ca yā vācā etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.
Education and a craft, discipline and training, and well-spoken speech: this is the highest blessing.
5. Mātāpitu upaṭṭhānaṃ puttadārassa saṅgaho
Anākūlā ca kammantā etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.
Caring for mother and father, supporting one’s wife and children, and engaging in a peaceful occupation: this is the highest blessing.
6. Dānaṃ ca dhammacariyā ca ñātakānañca saṅgaho
Anavajjāni kammāni etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.
To be generous in giving, and righteous conduct, helping one’s relatives, blameless deeds: this is the highest blessing.
7. Ārati virati pāpā majjapānā ca saññamo
Appamādo ca dhammesū etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.
Desisting and abstaining from evil, avoiding alcohol, diligence in good qualities: this is the highest blessing.
8. Gāravo ca nivāto ca santuṭṭhī ca kataññutā
Kālena dhammasavaṇaṃ etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.
To be respectful and humble, contentment and gratitude, and timely listening to the teaching: this is the highest blessing.
9. Khantī ca sovacassatā samaṇānañcadassanaṃ
Kālena dhammasākacchā etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.
Patience, being easy to admonish, the sight of monks, and timely discussion of the teaching: this is the highest blessing.
10.Tapo ca brahmacariyañca ariyasaccānadassanaṃ
Nibbāṇasacchikiriyā ca etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.
Self-restraint, and holy and chaste life, seeing the noble truths, and realization of unbinding: this is the highest blessing.
11.Puṭṭhassa lokadhammehi cittaṃ yassa na kampati
Asokaṃ virajaṃ khemaṃ etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.
Though touched by worldly conditions, their mind does not tremble; sorrowless, stainless, secure: this is the highest blessing.
12. Etādisāni katvāna sabbattha maparājitā
Sabbattha sotthiṃ gacchanti taṃ tesaṃ maṅgalamuttamanti.
Having completed these things, undefeated everywhere; everywhere they go in safety: this is their highest blessing.”
