Mangala Sutta, Maṅgala Sutta: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Mangala Sutta means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Mangala Sutta in Theravada glossary
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

Preached at Jetavana in answer to a question asked by a deva as to which are the auspicious things (mangalani) in the world. The sutta describes thirty seven mangalani, including such things as the avoidance of fools, association with the wise, honouring those worthy of honour, etc. (Khp.pp.2f)

The Commentary (KhpA.vii.; SNA.i.300) explains that at the time the sutta was preached there was great discussion over the whole of Jambudipa regarding the constitution of mangala. The devas heard the discussion and argued among themselves till the matter spread to the highest Brahma world. Then it was that Sakka suggested that a devaputta should visit the Buddha and ask him about it.

In the Sutta Nipata (SN., pp. 46f) the sutta is called Mahamangala. It is one of the suttas at the preaching of which countless devas were present and countless beings realized the Truth (SNA.i.174; BuA.243; AA.i.57,320).

The sutta is often recited, and forms one of the commonest of the Parittas. To have it written down in a book is considered an act of great merit (MA.ii.806).

It is said (Mhv.xxxii.43) that once Dutthagamani attempted to preach the Mangala Sutta at the Lohapasada, but he was too nervous to proceed.

The preaching of the Mangala Sutta was one of the incidents of the Buddhas life represented in the Relic Chamber of the Maha Thupa (Mhv.xxx. 83).

See also Mahamangala Jataka.

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Discover the meaning of mangala sutta in the context of Theravada from relevant books on Exotic India

General definition (in Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Mangala Sutta in Buddhism glossary
Source: WikiPedia: Buddhism

The Mangala Sutta is a discourse (sutta) of the Buddha on the subject of 'blessings' (mangala, also translated as 'good omen' or 'auspices' or 'good fortune'). In this discourse, the Buddha describes 'blessings' that are wholesome personal pursuits or attainments, identified in a progressive manner from the mundane to the ultimate spiritual goal. In Sri Lanka this is known as "Maha Mangala Sutta" and this sutta considered to be part of "Maha Pirith".

This discourse is recorded in Theravada Buddhism's Pali Canon's Khuddaka Nikaya in two places: in the Khuddakapāṭha (Khp 5), and in the Sutta Nipāta (Sn 2.4). In the latter source, the discourse is called the Mahāmangala Sutta. It is also traditionally included in books of 'protection' (paritta). It is also found in the Tibetan Canon, in the Kangyur (བཀའ་འགྱུར།).

Etymology: The Mangala Sutta (Burmese: မင်္ဂလသုတ် Mingala thoke, Thai: มงคลสูตร, Khmer: មង្គលសូត្រ mongkhol sut, Sanskrit "mahāmaṅgalasūtra", "महामङ्गलसूत्र", Tibetan "བཀྲ་ཤིས་ཆེན་པོའི་མདོ།")

Source: Association for Insight Meditation: Buddhism

The Maṅgala Sutta is found in the Suttanipāta. An excellent translation by Venerable Dr ­Hammalawa Saddhātissa, published by Curzon Press, is available from Wisdom Books. The Suttanipāta contains the three most popular Paritta Suttas: Metta Sutta, Maṅgala Sutta, and Ratana Sutta, and many other important Suttas, such as the Kasībhāradvāja Sutta, Parābhava Sutta, Vasala Sutta, Salla Sutta, and Vāseṭṭha Sutta.

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