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What is Auspicious?
In November 2009 at Cam Lo Temple, the Discourse on Happiness (Maha Mangala Sutta) from the Pali Canon (Khuddaka Nikaya – Sutta Nipāta) was compared with the Chinese version in the Dhammapada. The sutra records a dialogue between the Brahmin ascetic Nirgrantha and the Buddha about “the greatest blessing.” While the world often attributes good fortune to gold, silver, crystal, lapis lazuli; the bright moon, divine pearls, elephants and horses, celestial maidens, coral, precious stones, phoenixes, peacocks; stars, precious vases, virtuous people or ascetics…, the World-Honored One pointed out that true blessing is “to have faith and joy in learning the true Dharma.” The Chinese version contains 16 verses (compared to 12 in the Pali), emphasizing the realms that lead to Nirvana.
The Discourse on Happiness also teaches about two kinds of spiritual “nutriments” that nourish the practitioner:
- Ideal (faith, happiness in practicing the true Dharma).
- Environment (the Sangha – avoiding unwholesome companions, associating with virtuous people, honoring those worthy of respect).
Sitting meditation, walking meditation, or eating with the Sangha are ways to “consume” the wholesome collective energy. When 200 people breathe together and let go of their afflictions, each individual is nourished by the joy and happiness of the whole community. This is the foundation of true happiness, not dependent on gods or beliefs, opening the way for a pure and free global spirituality.
