Evening Chanting
Arahaṁ sammā-sambuddho bhagavā.
The Blessed One is Worthy & Rightly Self-awakened.
Buddhaṁ bhagavantaṁ abhivādemi.
I bow down before the Awakened, Blessed One.
(Bow down)
Svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo.
The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One.
Dhammaṁ namassāmi.
I pay homage to the Dhamma.
(Bow down)
Supaṭipanno bhagavato sāvaka-saṅgho.
The Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples has practiced well.
Saṅghaṁ namāmi.
I pay respect to the Saṅgha.
(Bow down)
Dedication
(Leader)
Yam-amha kho mayaṁ bhagavantaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā,
We have gone for refuge to the Blessed One,
(uddissa pabbajitā) yo no bhagavā satthā
(have gone forth on account of) the Blessed One who is our Teacher
yassa ca mayaṁ bhagavato dhammaṁ rocema.
and in whose Dhamma we delight.
Imehi sakkārehi taṁ bhagavantaṁ sasaddhammaṁ sasāvaka-saṅghaṁ abhipūjayāma.
With these offerings we worship most highly that Blessed One together with the True Dhamma & the Saṅgha of his disciples.
Handadāni mayantaṁ bhagavantaṁ vācāya abhigāyituṁ pubba-bhāga-namakārañ-c’eva buddhānussati-nayañ-ca karomase:
Now let us chant the preliminary passage in homage to the Blessed One, together with the guide to the recollection of the Buddha:
(All)
[Namo tassa] bhagavato arahato sammā-
sambuddhassa. (three times)
Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One,
the Rightly Self-awakened One.
A Guide to the Recollection of the Buddha
[Taṁ kho pana bhagavantaṁ] evaṁ kalyāṇo kitti-saddo abbhuggato,
This fine report of the Blessed One’s reputation has spread far & wide:
Itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammā-sambuddho,
He is a Blessed One, a Worthy One, a Rightly Self-awakened One,
Vijjā-caraṇa-sampanno sugato lokavidū,
consummate in knowledge & conduct, one who has gone the good way, knower of the cosmos,
Anuttaro purisa-damma-sārathi satthā deva-manussānaṁ buddho bhagavāti.
unexcelled trainer of those who can be tamed, teacher of devas & human beings; awakened; blessed.
Verses in Celebration of the Buddha
(Leader)
Handa mayaṁ buddhābhigītiṁ karomase:
Now let us chant in celebration of the Buddha:
(All)
[Buddh’vārahanta]-varatādiguṇābhiyutto,
The Buddha, endowed with such virtues as highest worthiness:
Suddhābhiñāṇa-karuṇāhi samāgatatto,
In him, purity, supreme knowledge, & compassion converge.
Bodhesi yo sujanataṁ kamalaṁ va sūro,
He awakens good people as the sun does the lotus.
Vandām’ahaṁ tam-araṇaṁ sirasā jinendaṁ.
I revere with my head that Peaceful One, the Conqueror Supreme.
Buddho yo sabba-pāṇīnaṁ
Saraṇaṁ khemam-uttamaṁ.
The Buddha who for all beings is the secure, the highest refuge,
Paṭhamānussatiṭṭhānaṁ
Vandāmi taṁ sirena’haṁ,
The first theme for recollection: I revere him with my head.
Buddhassāhasmi dāso (Women: dāsī) va
Buddho me sāmikissaro.
I am the Buddha’s servant; the Buddha is my sovereign master.
Buddho dukkhassa ghātā ca
Vidhātā ca hitassa me.
The Buddha is a destroyer of suffering & a provider of welfare for me.
Buddhassāhaṁ niyyādemi
Sarīrañjīvitañ-c’idaṁ.
To the Buddha I dedicate this body & this life of mine.
Vandanto’haṁ (Vandantī’haṁ) carissāmi
Buddhasseva subodhitaṁ.
I will fare with reverence for the Buddha’s genuine Awakening.
N’atthi me saraṇaṁ aññaṁ,
Buddho me saraṇaṁ varaṁ:
I have no other refuge; the Buddha is my foremost refuge:
Etena sacca-vajjena,
Vaḍḍheyyaṁ satthu-sāsane.
By the speaking of this truth, may I grow in the Teacher’s instruction.
Buddhaṁ me vandamānena (vandamānāya)
Yaṁ puññaṁ pasutaṁ idha,
Sabbe’pi antarāyā me,
Māhesuṁ tassa tejasā.
Through the majesty of the merit here produced by my reverence for the Buddha, may all my obstructions cease to be.
(Bow down & say)
Kāyena vācāya va cetasā vā,
Buddhe kukammaṁ pakataṁ mayā yaṁ,
Buddho paṭiggaṇhatu accayantaṁ,
Kāl’antare saṁvarituṁ va buddhe.
Whatever bad kamma I have done to the Buddha
by body, by speech, or by mind,
may the Buddha accept my admission of it,
so that in the future I may show restraint toward the Buddha.
A Guide to the Recollection of the Dhamma
(Leader)
Handa mayaṁ dhammānussati-nayaṁ karomase:
Now let us recite the guide to the recollection of the Dhamma:
(All)
[Svākkhāto] bhagavatā dhammo,
The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One,
Sandiṭṭhiko akāliko ehipassiko,
to be seen here & now, timeless, inviting all to come & see,
Opanayiko paccattaṁ veditabbo viññūhīti.
pertinent, to be seen by the observant for themselves.
Verses in Celebration of the Dhamma
(Leader)
Handa mayaṁ dhammābhigītiṁ karomase:
Now let us chant in celebration of the Dhamma:
(All)
[Svākkhātatā] diguṇa-yogavasena seyyo,
Superior, through having such virtues as being well-expounded,
Yo magga-pāka-pariyatti-vimokkha-bhedo,
Divided into Path & Fruit, study & emancipation,
Dhammo kuloka-patanā tadadhāri-dhārī.
The Dhamma protects those who hold to it from falling into miserable worlds.
Vandām’ahaṁ tama-haraṁ vara-dhammam-etaṁ.
I revere that foremost Dhamma, the destroyer of darkness.
Dhammo yo sabba-pāṇīnaṁ
Saraṇaṁ khemam-uttamaṁ.
The Dhamma that for all beings is the secure, the highest refuge,
Dutiyānussatiṭṭhānaṁ
Vandāmi taṁ sirena’haṁ,
The second theme for recollection: I revere it with my head.
Dhammassāhasmi dāso (dāsī) va
Dhammo me sāmikissaro.
I am the Dhamma’s servant; the Dhamma is my sovereign master.
Dhammo dukkhassa ghātā ca
Vidhātā ca hitassa me.
The Dhamma is a destroyer of suffering & a provider of welfare for me.
Dhammassāhaṁ niyyādemi
Sarīrañjīvitañ-c’idaṁ.
To the Dhamma I dedicate this body & this life of mine.
Vandanto’haṁ (Vandantī’haṁ) carissāmi
Dhammasseva sudhammataṁ.
I will fare with reverence for the Dhamma’s genuine rightness.
N’atthi me saraṇaṁ aññaṁ,
Dhammo me saraṇaṁ varaṁ:
I have no other refuge; the Dhamma is my foremost refuge:
Etena sacca-vajjena,
Vaḍḍheyyaṁ satthu-sāsane.
By the speaking of this truth, may I grow in the Teacher’s instruction.
Dhammaṁ me vandamānena (vandamānāya)
Yaṁ puññaṁ pasutaṁ idha,
Sabbe’pi antarāyā me,
Māhesuṁ tassa tejasā.
Through the majesty of the merit here produced by my reverence for the Dhamma, may all my obstructions cease to be.
(Bow down & say)
Kāyena vācāya va cetasā vā,
Dhamme kukammaṁ pakataṁ mayā yaṁ,
Dhammo paṭiggaṇhatu accayantaṁ,
Kāl’antare saṁvarituṁ va dhamme.
Whatever bad kamma I have done to the Dhamma
by body, by speech, or by mind,
may the Dhamma accept my admission of it,
so that in the future I may show restraint toward the Dhamma.
A Guide to the Recollection of the Saṅgha
(Leader)
Handa mayaṁ saṅghānussati-nayaṁ karomase:
Now let us recite the guide to the recollection of the Saṅgha:
(All)
[Supaṭipanno] bhagavato sāvaka-saṅgho,
The Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples who have practiced well,
Uju-paṭipanno bhagavato sāvaka-saṅgho,
the Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples who have practiced straightforwardly,
Ñāya-paṭipanno bhagavato sāvaka-saṅgho,
the Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples who have practiced methodically,
Sāmīci-paṭipanno bhagavato sāvaka-saṅgho,
the Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples who have practiced masterfully,
Yadidaṁ cattāri purisa-yugāni aṭṭha purisa-puggalā:
i.e., the four pairs—the eight types—of noble ones:
Esa bhagavato sāvaka-saṅgho—
That is the Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples—
Āhuneyyo pāhuneyyo dakkhiṇeyyo añjali-karaṇīyo,
worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of respect,
Anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassāti.
the incomparable field of merit for the world.
Verses in Celebration of the Saṅgha
(Leader)
Handa mayaṁ saṅghābhigītiṁ karomase:
Now let us chant in celebration of the Saṅgha:
(All)
[Saddhammajo] supaṭipatti-guṇādiyutto,
Born of the true Dhamma, endowed with such virtues as good practice,
Yoṭṭhābbidho ariya-puggala-saṅgha-seṭṭho,
The supreme Saṅgha formed of the eight types of Noble Ones,
Sīlādidhamma-pavarāsaya-kāya-citto:
Guided in body & mind by such principles as virtue:
Vandām’ahaṁ tam-ariyāna-gaṇaṁ susuddhaṁ.
I revere that group of Noble Ones well-purified.
Saṅgho yo sabba-pāṇīnaṁ
Saraṇaṁ khemam-uttamaṁ.
The Saṅgha that for all beings is the secure, the highest refuge,
Tatiyānussatiṭṭhānaṁ
Vandāmi taṁ sirena’haṁ,
The third theme for recollection: I revere it with my head.
Saṅghassāhasmi dāso (dāsī) va
Saṅgho me sāmikissaro.
I am the Saṅgha’s servant, the Saṅgha is my sovereign master,
Saṅgho dukkhassa ghātā ca
Vidhātā ca hitassa me.
The Saṅgha is a destroyer of suffering & a provider of welfare for me.
Saṅghassāhaṁ niyyādemi
Sarīrañjīvitañ-c’idaṁ.
To the Saṅgha I dedicate this body & this life of mine.
Vandanto’haṁ (Vandantī’haṁ) carissāmi
Saṅghassopaṭipannataṁ.
I will fare with reverence for the Saṅgha’s genuine practice.
N’atthi me saraṇaṁ aññaṁ,
Saṅgho me saraṇaṁ varaṁ:
I have no other refuge; the Saṅgha is my foremost refuge:
Etena sacca-vajjena,
Vaḍḍheyyaṁ satthu-sāsane.
By the speaking of this truth, may I grow in the Teacher’s instruction.
Saṅghaṁ me vandamānena (vandamānāya)
Yaṁ puññaṁ pasutaṁ idha,
Sabbe’pi antarāyā me,
Māhesuṁ tassa tejasā.
Through the majesty of the merit here produced by my reverence for the Saṅgha, may all my obstructions cease to be.
(Bow down & say)
Kāyena vācāya va cetasā vā,
Saṅghe kukammaṁ pakataṁ mayā yaṁ,
Saṅgho paṭiggaṇhatu accayantaṁ,
Kāl’antare saṁvarituṁ va saṅghe.
Whatever bad kamma I have done to the Saṅgha
by body, by speech, or by mind,
may the Saṅgha accept my admission of it,
so that in the future I may show restraint toward the Saṅgha.
Reflection after Using the Requisites
(Leader)
Handa mayaṁ atīta-paccavekkhaṇa-pāṭhaṁ bhaṇāmase:
Now let us recite the passage for reflection on the past (use of the requisites):
(All)
[Ajja mayā] apaccavekkhitvā yaṁ cīvaraṁ paribhuttaṁ,
Whatever robe I used today without consideration,
Taṁ yāvadeva sītassa paṭighātāya,
was simply to counteract the cold,
Uṇhassa paṭighātāya,
to counteract the heat,
Ḍaṁsa-makasa-vātātapa-siriṁsapa-samphassānaṁ paṭighātāya,
to counteract the touch of flies, mosquitoes, wind, sun, & reptiles;
Yāvadeva hirikopina-paṭicchādan’atthaṁ.
simply for the purpose of covering the parts of the body that cause shame.
Ajja mayā apaccavekkhitvā yo piṇḍapāto paribhutto,
Whatever alms food I used today without consideration,
So n’eva davāya na madāya na maṇḍanāya na vibhūsanāya,
was not used playfully, nor for intoxication, nor for putting on bulk, nor for beautification,
Yāvadeva imassa kāyassa ṭhitiyā yāpanāya vihiṁsuparatiyā brahma-cariyānuggahāya,
but simply for the survival & continuance of this body, for ending its afflictions, for the support of the holy life,
Iti purāṇañ-ca vedanaṁ paṭihaṅkhāmi navañ-ca vedanaṁ na uppādessāmi,
(thinking,) Thus will I destroy old feelings (of hunger) and not create new feelings (from overeating).
Yātrā ca me bhavissati anavajjatā ca phāsu-vihāro cāti.
I will maintain myself, be blameless, & live in comfort.
Ajja mayā apaccavekkhitvā yaṁ senāsanaṁ paribhuttaṁ,
Whatever lodging I used today without consideration,
Taṁ yāvadeva sītassa paṭighātāya,
was simply to counteract the cold,
Uṇhassa paṭighātāya,
to counteract the heat,
Ḍaṁsa-makasa-vātātapa-siriṁsapa-samphassānaṁ paṭighātāya,
to counteract the touch of flies, mosquitoes, wind, sun, & reptiles;
Yāvadeva utuparissaya-vinodanaṁ paṭisallānārām’atthaṁ.
simply for protection from the inclemencies of weather and for the enjoyment of seclusion.
Ajja mayā apaccavekkhitvā yo gilāna-paccaya-bhesajja-parikkhāro paribhutto,
Whatever medicinal requisite for curing the sick I used today without consideration,
So yāvadeva uppannānaṁ veyyābādhikānaṁ vedanānaṁ paṭighātāya,
was simply to counteract any pains of illness that had arisen,
Abyāpajjha-paramatāyāti.
and for maximum freedom from disease.