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 namasmi.

I pay homage to the Dhamma.

(Bow down)

Supaṭipanno bhagavato vaka-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 savaka-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-rathi satthā deva-manusnaṁ 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 ro,

He awakens good people as the sun does the lotus.

Vandām’ahaṁ tam-araṇaṁ sira 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.

Buddhashasmi dāso (Women:) va

Buddho me mikissaro.

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) carismi

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-sane.

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,

hesuṁ tassa teja.

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 ceta 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 viññūti.

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.

Dhammashasmi dāso (dā) va

Dhammo me mikissaro.

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) carismi

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-sane.

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,

hesuṁ tassa teja.

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 ceta 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 vaka-saṅgho,

The Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples who have practiced well,

Uju-paṭipanno bhagavato vaka-saṅgho,

the Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples who have practiced straightforwardly,

Ñāya-paṭipanno bhagavato vaka-saṅgho,

the Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples who have practiced methodically,

mīci-paṭipanno bhagavato vaka-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 vaka-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 lokasti.

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,

lādidhamma-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.

Saṅghashasmi dāso (dā) va

Saṅgho me mikissaro.

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) carismi

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-sane.

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,

hesuṁ tassa teja.

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 ceta 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 tassa paṭighātāya,

was simply to counteract the cold,

Uṇhassa paṭighātāya,

to counteract the heat,

Ḍaṁsa-makasa-vātātapa-siriṁsapa-samphasnaṁ 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-cariyānuggaya,

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 uppādesmi,

(thinking,) Thus will I destroy old feelings (of hunger) and not create new feelings (from overeating).

Yātrā ca me bhavissati anavajjatā ca phāsu-viro 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 tassa paṭighātāya,

was simply to counteract the cold,

Uṇhassa paṭighātāya,

to counteract the heat,

Ḍaṁsa-makasa-vātātapa-siriṁsapa-samphasnaṁ 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.