Anthology of Discourses 2.4

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1. Anthology of Discourses 2.4
2. Blessings
3. So I have heard.
4. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.
5. 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.
6. Standing to one side, that deity addressed the Buddha in verse:
7. “Many gods and humans
8. have thought about blessings
9. desiring well-being:
10. declare the highest blessing.”
11. “Not to fraternize with fools,
12. but to fraternize with the wise,
13. and honoring those worthy of honor:
14. this is the highest blessing.
15. Living in a suitable region,
16. having made merit in the past,
17. being rightly resolved in oneself,
18. this is the highest blessing.
19. Education and a craft,
20. discipline and training,
21. and well-spoken speech:
22. this is the highest blessing.
23. Caring for mother and father,
24. kindness to children and partners,
25. and unstressful work:
26. this is the highest blessing.
27. Giving and righteous conduct,
28. kindness to relatives,
29. blameless deeds:
30. this is the highest blessing.
31. Desisting and abstaining from evil,
32. avoiding drinking liquor,
33. diligence in good qualities:
34. this is the highest blessing.
35. Respect and humility,
36. contentment and gratitude,
37. and timely listening to the teaching:
38. this is the highest blessing.
39. Patience, being easy to admonish,
40. the sight of ascetics,
41. and timely discussion of the teaching:
42. this is the highest blessing.
43. Fervor and chastity
44. seeing the noble truths,
45. and realization of extinguishment:
46. this is the highest blessing.
47. Though touched by worldly things,
48. their mind does not tremble;
49. sorrowless, stainless, secure,
50. this is the highest blessing.
51. Having completed these things,
52. undefeated everywhere;
53. everywhere they go in safety:
54. this is their highest blessing.”