Kinh Chân Hạnh Phúc (Maha Mangala Sutta) Thích Thiện Châu dịch

Kinh Chân Hạnh Phúc

(Maha Mangala Sutta)
(Kinh Điềm Lành, Kinh Hạnh Phúc, Kinh Điềm Lành Lớn, Kinh Phước Đức v.v… thuộc Tiểu Bộ Kinh tập I)
HT. Thích Thiện Châu dịch Việt
——————-

Như vầy tôi nghe, một thời Thế Tôn ở tại Savatthi, trong rừng Jeta, vườn Anathapindika. Có một thiên nhân, khi đêm gần tàn, với dung sắc thù thắng chiếu khắp rừng Jeta, đi đến Thế Tôn. Sau khi đến, kính lễ Thế Tôn, rồi đứng một bên, thiên nhân ấy nói lên bài kệ trước Đức Thế Tôn như sau:

”Chư thiên và loài người
Suy nghĩ về hạnh phúc
Ước mong được hạnh phúc
Chân hạnh phúc là gì?

Thế Tôn đáp kệ rằng:

”Kẻ si mê nên tránh
Bậc hiền đức phải gần
Cung kính người đáng kính
Ấy là chân hạnh phúc.

Chọn nơi lành mà ở
Đời trước đã tạo phúc
Nay giữ lòng thẳng ngay
Ấy là chân hạnh phúc.

Hiểu rộng và khéo tay
Giữ tròn các giới luật
Nói những lời hòa ái
Ấy là chân hạnh phúc.

Cung dưỡng cha mẹ già
Yêu mến vợ /chồng và con
Không vương vấn phiền hà
Ấy là chân hạnh phúc.

Cho và sống đúng cách
Nên giúp đỡ bà con
Hành động không chê trách
Ấy là chân hạnh phúc.

Ngăn trừ điều ác xấu
Dứt bỏ thói rượu chè
Chuyên cần trong Chánh Đạo
Ấy là chân hạnh phúc.

Kính nhường và khiêm tốn
Biết đủ và nhớ ơn
Tuỳ thời học đạo lý
Ấy là chân hạnh phúc.

Nhẫn nhục vâng ý lành
Viếng thăm bậc tu hành
Tuỳ thời bàn luận đạo
Ấy là chân hạnh phúc.

Trong sạch và siêng năng
Suốt thông các chân lý
Thực hiện vui Niết Bàn
Ấy là chân hạnh phúc.

Tiếp xúc với thế gian
Giữ lòng không sa ngã
Không sầu nhiểm bình an
Ấy là chân hạnh phúc.

Như thế mà tu hành
Việc gì cũng thành tựu
Ở đâu cũng an lành
Ấy là chân hạnh phúc”.

Bản dịch sang Tiếng Anh của Hòa Thượng Narada Maha Thera

Discourse on the Greatest Blessings

(Maha Mangala Sutta,
Suttanipata, 258-269)

Introduction: This famous text, cherished highly in all Buddhist lands, is a terse but comprehensive summary of Buddhist ethics, individual and social. The thirty-eight blessings enumerated in it, are an unfailing guide on life’s journey. Rightly starting with “avoidance of bad company” which is basic to all moral and spiritual progress, the Blessings culminate in the achievement of a passion-free mind, unshakable in its serenity. To follow the ideals set forth in these verses, is the sure way to harmony and progress for the individual as well as for society, nation and mankind.

(Narada Maha Thera)

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Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Exalted One was dwelling at Anathapindika’s monastery, in Jeta’s Grove, near Savatthi. Now when the night was far spent, a certain deity whose surpassing splendour illuminated the entire Jeta Grove, came to the presence of the Exalted One and, drawing near, respectfully saluted him and stood at one side. Standing thus, he addressed the Exalted One in verse:

“Many deities and men,
yearning after good,
have pondered on blessings.
Pray, tell me the greatest blessing!”

(The Exalted One answered:)

“Not to associate with the foolish,
but to associate with the wise;
and to honour those who are worthy of honour
— this is the greatest blessing.

“To reside in a suitable locality,
to have done meritorious actions in the past
and to set oneself in the right course
— this is the greatest blessing.

“To have much learning, to be skillful in handicraft,
well-trained in discipline,
and to be of good speech
— this is the greatest blessing.

“To support mother and father,
to cherish wife and children,
and to be engaged in peaceful occupation
— this is the greatest blessing.

“To be generous in giving, to be righteous in conduct,
to help one’s relatives,
and to be blameless in action
— this is the greatest blessing.

“To loathe more evil and abstain from it,
to refrain from intoxicants,
and to be steadfast in virtue
— this is the greatest blessing.

“To be respectful, humble,
contented and grateful;
and to listen to the Dhamma on due occasions
— this is the greatest blessing.

“To be patient and obedient,
to associate with monks
and to have religious discussions on due occasions
— this is the greatest blessing.

“Self-restraint, a holy and chaste life,
the perception of the Noble Truths
and the realisation of Nibbana
— this is the greatest blessing.

“A mind unruffled by the vagaries of fortune,
from sorrow freed, from defilements cleansed,
from fear liberated
— this is the greatest blessing.

“Those who thus abide,
ever remain invincible,
in happiness established.
These are the greatest blessings.”

(based on the English translation by Narada Maha Thera)

Bản dịch sang Tiếng Anh của Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

5. Mangala Sutta — Protection

I have heard that at one time the Blessed One was staying in Savatthi at Jeta’s Grove, Anathapindika’s park. Then a certain deva, in the far extreme of the night, her extreme radiance lighting up the entirety of Jeta’s Grove, approached the Blessed One. On approaching, having bowed down to the Blessed One, she stood to one side. As she stood to one side, she addressed him with a verse.

Many devas and humans beings
give thought to protection,
desiring well-being.
Tell, then, the highest protection.

[The Buddha:]

Not consorting with fools,
consorting with the wise,
paying homage to those worthy of homage:
This is the highest protection.Living in a civilized land,
having made merit in the past,
directing oneself rightly:
This is the highest protection.
Broad knowledge, skill,
well-mastered discipline,
well-spoken words:
This is the highest protection.
Support for one’s parents,
assistance to one’s wife and children,
consistency in one’s work:
This is the highest protection.
Generosity, living in rectitude,
assistance to one’s relatives,
deeds that are blameless:
This is the highest protection.
Avoiding, abstaining from evil;
refraining from intoxicants,
being heedful of the qualities of the mind:
This is the highest protection.
Respect, humility,
contentment, gratitude,
hearing the Dhamma on timely occasions:
This is the highest protection.
Patience, composure,
seeing contemplatives,
discussing the Dhamma on timely occasions:
This is the highest protection.
Austerity, celibacy,
seeing the Noble Truths,
realizing Unbinding:
This is the highest protection.
A mind that, when touched
by the ways of the world,
is unshaken, sorrowless, dustless, secure:
This is the highest protection.
Everywhere undefeated
when acting in this way,
people go everywhere in well-being:
This is their highest protection.