Buddhist blessings are a popular fad in Hollywood and pop-culture, but even in some traditional Buddhist cultures, one will often request blessings from monks for weddings and other auspicious occasions.
Interestingly though, the Buddha also gave a sermon once on what is the highest blessing in Buddhism. This is found in the Maha-mangala Sutta (SN 2.4). In this sutra a heavenly being or deva* descends to Earth and asks the Buddha what the highest protection is. Here’s a sample of what the Buddha states:
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.…
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.…
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, at rest:
This is the highest protection.
There is a good reason why I think this is one of the best sutras in Buddhism. It summarizes in a positive way the Buddhist lifestyle, doesn’t compromise any truths, but is simple enough that anyone can follow.
Namuamidabu
Nammyohorengekyo
* – Devas are the highest state of rebirth, where one whose committed very good acts can be reborn in a heaven realm, have great pleasure and great mental powers. However, the Buddha taught there is a catch. One will inevitably die after a very long lifespan, and be reborn in a lower state (a step down) and many devas are too distracted by their pleasures to take the Dharma seriously. Some do supposedly become serious Buddhists, like humans, though, but their role in Buddhism is very periphery.
Hello, this blog is about my life as a father, Buddhist and Japanophile / Koreaphile. Any useful information I can pass along will hopefully make the 
>Buddhism, as is often the case, defies Western explanation because Westerners try to fit it into the >same Judao-Christian mould they do with other religions.
Well said, as the word religion is a Western term.
Hi Gerald,
Another fabulous post, thank you. I’ll have to post my own Buddhist tattoo one of these days (on Worst Horse perhaps) . It’s a Thai one like Brad’s and Angelina’s – but covers most of my back and shoulders! Does it give me protection? Blessings? Well, like you say, the intention is there and that’s what it’s all about.
So, thank you again for a great post.
As for the word ‘religion’ being a Western term – I’m not so sure! here in Thailand I’m always being asked what my ‘religion’ is – the question even exists on job application forms. And when I lived in Korea, the same.
But, personally I don’t think there is any western/eastern divide. I’ve lived in Asia for many years, my Thai wife now lives in England. Is our son western or eastern? What do those words mean?
Is a Korean Christian western or eastern? What about a Thai Christian? What about a Thai Christian living in London for 20 years or an English Buddhist in bangkok for the same length of time?
Stop rambling Marcus! LOL
There is no greater blessing than an understanding wife. Except maybe an understanding wife who can cook.
and likes to cook!
Yeah, I can’t complain. :p Love you honey!
I dabbled in Islam for about 5 years and it strikes me that this sutra could very easily have been written by a Muslim. It is very similar to what true Muslims believe (except for the bit about celibacy).
I just found your blog last week and am going through your old posts. Thank you for taking the time to do this.
with Metta,
Kimm
Hi Kimm and welcome to the L8B! My experience with Islam appears to be the same as your’s, so it’s refreshing to see I am not the only one whose noticed this.