Chants

Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Fully Enlightened One. (×3)

I go to the Buddha for refuge.

I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

I go to the Sangha for refuge.

For the second time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.

For the second time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

For the second time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.

For the third time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.

For the third time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

For the third time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.

I undertake the precept to refrain from killing any living being.

I undertake the precept to refrain from taking what is not given.

I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.

I undertake the precept to refrain from false speech.

I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicants that cause heedlessness.

I undertake the precept to refrain from killing any living being.

I undertake the precept to refrain from taking what is not given.

I undertake the precept to refrain from all sexual activity.

I undertake the precept to refrain from false speech.

I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicants that cause heedlessness.

I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at improper times (after noon).

I undertake the precept to refrain from dancing, singing, music, shows, and using garlands, perfumes, and cosmetics.

I undertake the precept to refrain from using high and luxurious seats and beds.

Such indeed is the Blessed One: Worthy (Arahant),

Fully Self-Enlightened (Sammāsambuddho),

Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct (Vijjācaraṇasampanno),

Well-Gone (Sugato), Knower of Worlds (Lokavidū),

Incomparable Guide of Persons to be Tamed,

Teacher of Gods and Humans,

The Awakened One, the Blessed One.

The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One,

Directly visible, immediate, timeless, inviting all to come and see,

Leading onward, to be individually known by the wise.

The Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples has practiced well,

Has practiced directly,

Has practiced insightfully,

Has practiced with integrity.

That is, the four pairs of persons, the eight types of noble individuals —

this is the Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples,

worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings,

worthy of reverential salutation — an incomparable field of merit for the world.

Such indeed is the Blessed One: Worthy, Fully Self-Enlightened,

Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone, Knower of Worlds,

Incomparable Guide of Persons to be Tamed, Teacher of Gods and Humans,

The Awakened One, the Blessed One.

The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One,

Directly visible, immediate, inviting inspection,

Onward-leading, to be individually known by the wise.

The Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples has practiced well,

Has practiced directly,

Has practiced insightfully,

Has practiced with integrity.

That is, the four pairs of persons, the eight types of noble individuals —

this is the Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples,

worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings,

worthy of reverential salutation — an incomparable field of merit for the world.

Loving-Kindness — May all beings be happy.

Compassion — May all beings be free from suffering.

Sympathetic Joy — May all beings never be separated from the happiness they have attained.

Equanimity — May all beings abide in equanimity, free from attachment and aversion.

One skilled in goodness, having realized the state of perfect peace,

should be capable, upright, very upright,

obedient, gentle, and humble.

Content, easily supported, with few duties,

living simply, with senses calmed,

prudent, modest, and not attached to any household.

One should not commit any wrong

by which the wise might find fault.

May all beings be happy and safe —

may they all be inwardly joyful!

Whatever living beings there may be —

timid or bold, all without exception —

whether long or large,

medium, short, small, or fat,

Seen or unseen, those living near or far,

those already born and those yet to be born —

may all beings without exception

be happy!

Let no one deceive another

nor despise anyone anywhere.

Through anger or aversion,

let no one wish another to suffer.

Just as a mother would protect her only child

with her own life,

so too let one cultivate

a boundless heart toward all beings.

With loving-kindness for the whole world

let one cultivate a boundless heart —

above, below, and all around,

without obstruction, without enmity, without ill-will.

Whether standing, walking, sitting, or lying down,

as long as one is free from drowsiness,

one should maintain this mindfulness.

This, they say, is the divine abiding here.

Not falling into wrong views, virtuous,

and endowed with insight,

having subdued desire for sensual pleasures,

one will never again be reborn in a womb.

May all beings be free from enmity and harm.

May all beings be free from mental suffering.

May all beings be free from physical suffering.

May all beings take care of themselves happily.

Thus have I heard. Once the Blessed One was staying near Sāvatthi at Jeta's Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Then, in the middle of the night, a deity whose surpassing splendor illuminated the entire Jeta's Grove came to the Blessed One. After paying homage, the deity stood to one side and addressed the Blessed One in verse:

"Many gods and men have pondered on blessings,

desiring well-being.

Tell us — what is the highest blessing?"

"Not to associate with fools,

to associate with the wise,

and to honor those worthy of honor —

this is the highest blessing.

To reside in a suitable place,

to have done meritorious deeds in the past,

and to set oneself in the right direction —

this is the highest blessing.

Vast learning, skill in crafts,

a well-trained discipline,

and well-spoken words —

this is the highest blessing.

To support one's mother and father,

to cherish one's spouse and children,

and to have peaceful occupations —

this is the highest blessing.

Generosity, living in accord with the Dhamma,

caring for one's relatives,

and blameless actions —

this is the highest blessing.

Avoiding and refraining from evil,

abstaining from intoxicants,

and diligence in the Dhamma —

this is the highest blessing.

Respect and humility,

contentment and gratitude,

and timely listening to the Dhamma —

this is the highest blessing.

Patience and willingness to accept guidance,

seeing monastics,

and discussing the Dhamma at the right time —

this is the highest blessing.

Austerity, living the holy life,

seeing the noble truths,

and realizing Nibbāna —

this is the highest blessing.

A mind unshaken when touched by the vicissitudes of life,

free from sorrow,

free from defilement, free from fear —

this is the highest blessing.

Those who have acted in these ways

are undefeated wherever they go,

and everywhere they go in safety —

that is their highest blessing."

Thus spoke the Blessed One.

The devas were delighted and rejoiced in the Blessed One's words.

Whatever beings are gathered here,

whether of the earth or of the sky,

may all beings be joyful

and listen carefully to what is spoken.

Therefore, all beings, pay heed:

show loving-kindness to the human race,

who day and night bring offerings to you.

Therefore, guard them with diligence.

Whatever treasure there is here or beyond,

or whatever precious jewel there is in the heavens,

none equals the Tathāgata.

This precious jewel is the Buddha.

By the truth of this, may there be well-being.

The cessation, dispassion, and deathless state, so precious —

which the Sakyan Sage realized in his meditation —

nothing equals that Dhamma.

This precious jewel is the Dhamma.

By the truth of this, may there be well-being.

The purity praised by the Exalted Buddha,

the concentration called "immediately productive" —

nothing equals that concentration.

This precious jewel is the Dhamma.

By the truth of this, may there be well-being.

The eight individuals praised by the good,

forming four pairs —

they are disciples of the Fortunate One, worthy of offerings.

Gifts given to them bear great fruit.

This precious jewel is the Sangha.

By the truth of this, may there be well-being.

Those who with resolute mind apply themselves

desirelessly in Gotama's teaching,

having attained their goal, plunged into the deathless,

enjoying the liberation they have freely won —

this precious jewel is the Sangha.

By the truth of this, may there be well-being.

Just as a post sunk into the ground

is unshaken by the four winds,

so too I say is the true person

who directly sees the noble truths.

This precious jewel is the Sangha.

By the truth of this, may there be well-being.

Those who penetrate the noble truths

well-taught by the one of deep wisdom,

even if still somewhat attached to becoming,

will not take an eighth rebirth.

This precious jewel is the Sangha.

By the truth of this, may there be well-being.

With the attainment of right vision,

three things are abandoned:

self-identity view, doubt,

and any attachment to rules and vows.

This precious jewel is the Sangha.

By the truth of this, may there be well-being.

One is freed from the four lower realms

and incapable of committing the six grave offenses.

This precious jewel is the Sangha.

By the truth of this, may there be well-being.

Whatever wrong deed one may do

by body, speech, or mind,

one is incapable of concealing it —

this incapability is declared for those who have seen the path.

This precious jewel is the Sangha.

By the truth of this, may there be well-being.

Like a woodland grove whose treetops are in bloom

at the start of the hot summer season,

so too did the Exalted One teach the sublime Dhamma

leading to Nibbāna, for the highest benefit of beings.

This precious jewel is the Buddha.

By the truth of this, may there be well-being.

The supreme one, who knows the supreme, who gives the supreme,

the incomparable one — he taught the sublime Dhamma.

This precious jewel is the Buddha.

By the truth of this, may there be well-being.

The old is destroyed, the new does not arise.

Their minds are not attached to a future birth.

Their seeds of becoming are exhausted, their desires do not grow,

and the wise are extinguished, just as this lamp is.

This precious jewel is the Sangha.

By the truth of this, may there be well-being.

Whatever beings are gathered here,

whether of the earth or of the sky,

we pay homage to the Tathāgata, honored by gods and humans —

homage to the Buddha. May there be well-being.

Whatever beings are gathered here,

whether of the earth or of the sky,

we pay homage to the Tathāgata, honored by gods and humans —

homage to the Dhamma. May there be well-being.

Whatever beings are gathered here,

whether of the earth or of the sky,

we pay homage to the Tathāgata, honored by gods and humans —

homage to the Sangha. May there be well-being.

May this merit accrue to my relatives;

may my relatives be happy.

May this merit accrue to my relatives;

may my relatives be happy.

May this merit accrue to my relatives;

may my relatives be happy.

By this meritorious action,

may my preceptors of great virtue,

my teachers and benefactors,

my mother, father, and relatives,

the sun, the moon, and kings,

all people of good virtue,

Brahma, Mara, and Indra,

and all the guardian protectors of the world,

devas, humans, and all beings —

may all beings be happy.

May the merits I have made

give them the three kinds of happiness.

May they quickly attain the highest liberation.

Well done! Well done! Well done!