COUNTING BLESSING
As we tread our life seeking for Happiness; we often forget that one of the real source of happiness is Counting one's own Blessings in Life.
What are Blessings then ? Of course not those showers splashed on your head and body by means of mantra, baptized or dipping one-self into the river Ganges.
Neither does counting how much wealth we have in our $avings.
Blessings are .....
1. Not to associate with the fools,
2. To associate with the wise,
3. To revere those who are worthy of reverence,
4. To reside in a suitable locality,
5. Merits gained in the past and
6. To be instated in good pre-requisites,
7. To be well-read ( learned )
.....and instructed
in arts ( practical skill ),
8. To be well disciplined behavior,
9. To be possesed of pleasant words and speech(well spoken,
10. To honour, respect, support and attend on parents,
11. To look after, feed and take care of the wife and children,
12. To be engaged in undisputed undertaking
......( careful
workmanship ),
13. To practice charity,
14. To behave in accordance with the dhamma,
15. To render help to relatives,
16. To engage in undertakings of a righteous / blameless action,
17. To abstain from the indulgence in intoxicants,
18. To be heedful in virtuous deeds,
19. To respect and honour those who deserve them and
.......be submisive
( humility )
20. To be contented and grateful ( gratitude ),
21. To listen and hear the dhamma at such times in order
.......to check
our thoughts,
22. To observe patience and obedience,
23. To make the sight of bhikkhus pleasant,
24. To be engaged in religious discussions when one requires
.......checking
on thoughts,
25. To try and arrest passion,
26. To practice life of purity,
27. To realize the Four Noble Truths,
28. To attain Nibbana,
29. To be well balanced in the 8 worldly conditions,
30. Not to feel sorrow,
31. Not to be addicted to lust and passion,
32. To be calm and quiet in everything.
~ Mangala Sutta ~
Will you then count your blessing every night ?