An Analytical Study of Development the Quality of Life According to the Doctrine of Mangala Sutta

Abstract

The objectives of this article were: 1 ) To study development of life quality, 2) To study the teachings in MangalaSutta, and 3) To analyze the development of life quality according to the teachings in MangalaSutta. The study was found that There were 3 levels in development of life quality; 1) Childhood, not more than 25 years of age, the persons in this age had to study for their future work and life. They still had to depend on their parents and teachers to guide in the right or wrong ways to achieve the goals of their life successfully, 2) Middle-age, 26-50 years of age, they had to live their lives independently and carry on their family safely and happily, and 3) Old age, 51 years of age onward, the persons in this age had to collect the noble treasure and noble wealth for their life in this world and in the world to come. The teachings in MangalaSutta have 38 items and they can be classified into 10 groups; 1. Training oneself, 2. Preparation for training oneself, 3. Sacrifice oneself, 4. Help one’s own family, 5. Help society, 6. Preparation for mental development, 7. Practice basic Dhamma, 8. Practice advanced Dhamma, 9. Practice for reducing and eradicating defilements, and 10. Achieve the results from one’s practice. The teachings in MangalaSutta can be applied in life quality development in 3 levels of age; the teaching item 1 to item 10 are for those in the childhood, item 11 to item 30 for those in the middle age, and item 31 to item 38 for those in the old age.