Chants
Explore traditional Pali chants and their English translations, used in daily Buddhist practice.
The Buddha Vandana (Homage to the Buddha)
This chant is a way to express reverence for the Buddha and is often recited before meditation or at the beginning of ceremonies.
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Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa (x3) |
Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Fully Enlightened One. (x3) |
The Three Refuges (Tisarana)
This is the foundational prayer in which Buddhists express their faith by taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma (teachings), and the Sangha (community). It is typically recited daily.
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Buddham saranam gacchāmi Dhammam saranam gacchāmi Sangham saranam gacchāmi Dutiyampi Buddham saranam gacchāmi Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchāmi Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchāmi Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchāmi Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchāmi Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchāmi |
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. |
The Five Precepts (Pañca-sīla)
Lay Buddhists often recite the Five Precepts to affirm their commitment to ethical living.
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Pānātipātā veramani sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi Adinnādānā veramani sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi Kāmesu micchācārā veramani sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi Musāvādā veramani sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi Surāmeraya-majja-pamādatthānā veramani sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi |
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. |
The Dhamma Vandana (Homage to the Dhamma)
This is a reverence to the Buddha's teachings.
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Svākkhāto Bhagavatā Dhammo Sanditthiko akāliko ehipassiko Opanayiko paccattam veditabbo viññūhi |
The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One, Visible here and now, timeless, Inviting all to come and see, Leading onward, to be known by the wise each for themselves. |
The Sangha Vandana (Homage to the Sangha)
A prayer showing respect to the community of monks and nuns who preserve and practice the teachings.
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Supatipanno Bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho Ujupatipanno Bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho Ñāyapatipanno Bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho Sāmīcipatipanno Bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho |
The Sangha of the Blessed One’s disciples has practiced well. The Sangha of the Blessed One’s disciples has practiced directly. The Sangha of the Blessed One’s disciples has practiced insightfully. The Sangha of the Blessed One’s disciples has practiced with integrity. |
Daily Reflection: The Four Immeasurables (Brahma-Viharas)
This prayer is a reflection on four virtues: loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity.
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Mettaṃ may I be loving and kind to all beings. Karunaṃ may I be compassionate and remove the suffering of others. Muditaṃ may I share in the joy of others’ happiness. Upekkhāṃ may I remain in equanimity in both joy and suffering. |
May all beings be happy. May all beings be free from suffering. May all beings never be separated from the happiness that is free of suffering. May all beings abide in equanimity, free from attachment and aversion. |
The Metta Sutta (Loving-Kindness Prayer)
This prayer encourages loving-kindness and is often recited to cultivate compassion for oneself and all beings.
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Sabbe sattā averā hontu Sabbe sattā abyāpajjhā hontu Sabbe sattā anīghā hontu Sabbe sattā sukhī attānam pariharantu |
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. |
Maha-Mangala Sutta (The Discourse on the Highest Blessings)
This prayer presents a series of blessings that cover both the layperson's life and the spiritual path. It begins with practical, everyday actions such as associating with the wise and honoring one’s parents, and gradually progresses to higher spiritual practices like seeing the noble truths and attaining Nibbana. This sutta is often chanted in Theravada temples during auspicious ceremonies and special occasions, and it provides a comprehensive guide for living a righteous and harmonious life.
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Evam me suttam: Ekam samayam Bhagava Savatthiyam viharati Jetavane Anathapindikassa arame. Atha kho aññataro devaputto abhikkantaya rattiyaya abhikkantavanno kevalakappam Jetavanam obhasetva yena Bhagava tenupasankami; upasankamitva Bhagavantam abhivadetva ekamantam atthasi. Ekamantam thito kho so devaputto Bhagavantam gathaya ajjhabhasi: "Bahudeva manussanca mangalani acintayum; akankhamana sotthanam bruhime mangalamuttamam." "Asevana ca balanam panditananca sevana puja ca pujaneyyanam etam mangalamuttamam. Patirupadesavasa ca pubbe ca katapunnata attasammapanidhi ca etam mangalamuttamam. Bahusaccanca sippanca vinayo ca susikkhito subhasitaca ya vaca etam mangalamuttamam. Matapitu upatthanam puttadarassa sangaho anakula ca kammanta etam mangalamuttamam. Dananca dhammacariyaca ñatakanañca sangaho anavajjani kammani etam mangalamuttamam. Arati virati papa majjapana ca samyamo appamado ca dhammesu etam mangalamuttamam. Garavo ca nivato ca santutthi ca katannuta kalena dhammasavanam etam mangalamuttamam. Khanti ca sovacassataca samananam ca dassanam kalena dhammasakaccha etam mangalamuttamam. Tapo ca brahmacariyanca ariyasaccana dassanam nibbana sacchikiriya ca etam mangalamuttamam. Phutthassa lokadhammehi cittam yassa na kampati asokam virajam khemam etam mangalamuttamam. Etadisani katvana sabbatthamaparajita sabbattha sotthim gacchanti tam tesam mangalamuttaman"ti. Idam avoca Bhagava. Attamana te devaputta Bhagavato bhasitam abhinandunti. |
Thus have I heard: Once the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi at Jeta's Grove, in Anathapindika's monastery. Then, in the middle of the night, a certain deity, whose surpassing splendor illuminated the entire Jeta's Grove, came to the Blessed One. After paying homage to him, the deity stood to one side and said: "Many gods and men have pondered on blessings, Desiring well-being. Tell me, what is the highest blessing?" The Buddha replied: "Not to associate with fools, To associate with the wise, And to honor those who are worthy of honor — This is the highest blessing. To reside in a suitable locality, To have done meritorious actions in the past, And to set oneself on the right course — This is the highest blessing. Vast learning, skill in handicrafts, A well-trained discipline, and well-spoken words — This is the highest blessing. To support mother and father, To cherish wife and children, And to have peaceful occupations — This is the highest blessing. Generosity, living in accord with the Dhamma, Supporting one’s relatives, and blameless actions — This is the highest blessing. Avoiding evil, refraining from intoxicants, And diligence in virtue and Dhamma — This is the highest blessing. Respect, humility, contentment, and gratitude, And timely listening to the Dhamma — This is the highest blessing. Patience, willingness to accept advice, Seeing monks and conversing on the Dhamma at proper times — This is the highest blessing. Austerity, living the holy life, Seeing the noble truths, and realizing Nibbana — This is the highest blessing. A mind unshaken by the ups and downs of life, A mind freed from sorrow, defilement, and fear — This is the highest blessing. Those who act in this way, Are undefeated wherever they go. They always live in happiness — This is their highest blessing." Thus spoke the Blessed One. The deity was delighted with the Blessed One’s words, and rejoiced in what was said. |