Learn how to pray
Buddhists pray in an ancient language called Pali. Just as Latin was used in churches all over Europe in the past, Buddhists use Pali as their liturgical language. It is the language that was once spoken by the Buddha himself.
Seeking refuge
Namo Tassa, Bhagavato, Arahato, sama sambuddhasa
Namo Tassa, Bhagavato, Arahato, sama sambuddhasa
Namo Tassa, Bhagavato, Arahato, sama sambuddhasa
Buddham saranam gacchami
Dhammam saranam gacchami
Sangham saranam gacchami
Dutiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami
Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami
Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami
Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami
Hommage to Him, the exalted one, the whorthy one, the supremely enlightened one (3X)
I go to the Buddha as my refuge.
I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
I go to the Sangha as my refuge.
For the second time, i go to the Buddha as my refuge.
For the second time, i go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
For the second time, i go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
For the third time, i go to the Buddha as my refuge.
For the third time, i go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
For the third time, i go to the Sangha as my refuge.
Namo Tassa, Bhagavato, Arahato, sama sambuddhasa
Namo Tassa, Bhagavato, Arahato, sama sambuddhasa
Buddham saranam gacchami
Dhammam saranam gacchami
Sangham saranam gacchami
Dutiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami
Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami
Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami
Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami
Hommage to Him, the exalted one, the whorthy one, the supremely enlightened one (3X)
I go to the Buddha as my refuge.
I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
I go to the Sangha as my refuge.
For the second time, i go to the Buddha as my refuge.
For the second time, i go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
For the second time, i go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
For the third time, i go to the Buddha as my refuge.
For the third time, i go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
For the third time, i go to the Sangha as my refuge.
The five precepts
Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
Sura meraya majja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept of abstaining from destroying living creatures.
I undertake the precept of abstaining from taking anything not freely given.
I undertake the precept of abstaining from sexual misconduct.
I undertake the precept of abstaining from false speech.
I undertake the precept of abstaining from taking intoxicants which lead to carelessness.
Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
Sura meraya majja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept of abstaining from destroying living creatures.
I undertake the precept of abstaining from taking anything not freely given.
I undertake the precept of abstaining from sexual misconduct.
I undertake the precept of abstaining from false speech.
I undertake the precept of abstaining from taking intoxicants which lead to carelessness.
Recollection of the Buddha
Itipi so bhagavaa araham sammaa-sambuddho
Vijjaa-carana-sampanno sugato lokaviduu
Anuttaro purisa-damma-saarathi satthaa deva-manussaanam buddho bhagavaa
Tamaham bhagavantam abhipuujayaami
Tamaham bhagavantam sirasaa namaami
He, the Blessed One, is indeed the Noble Lord, the Perfectly Enlightened One;
He is impeccable in conduct and understanding, the Serene One, the Knower of the Worlds;
He trains perfectly those who wish to be trained; he is Teacher of gods and men;
he is Awake and Holy. I chant my praise to the Blessed One,
I bow my head to the Blessed One.
Vijjaa-carana-sampanno sugato lokaviduu
Anuttaro purisa-damma-saarathi satthaa deva-manussaanam buddho bhagavaa
Tamaham bhagavantam abhipuujayaami
Tamaham bhagavantam sirasaa namaami
He, the Blessed One, is indeed the Noble Lord, the Perfectly Enlightened One;
He is impeccable in conduct and understanding, the Serene One, the Knower of the Worlds;
He trains perfectly those who wish to be trained; he is Teacher of gods and men;
he is Awake and Holy. I chant my praise to the Blessed One,
I bow my head to the Blessed One.
Recollection of the Dhamma
Svaakkhaato bhagavataa dhammo
Sandi.t.thiko akaaliko ehipassiko
Opanayiko paccattam veditabbo vi~n~nuuhii
Tamaham dhammam abhipuujayaami
Tamaham dhammam sirasaa namaami
The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One,
Apparent here and now, timeless, encouraging investigation,
Leading to liberation, to be experienced individually by the wise.
I chant my praise to this Teaching,
I bow my head to this Truth.
Sandi.t.thiko akaaliko ehipassiko
Opanayiko paccattam veditabbo vi~n~nuuhii
Tamaham dhammam abhipuujayaami
Tamaham dhammam sirasaa namaami
The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One,
Apparent here and now, timeless, encouraging investigation,
Leading to liberation, to be experienced individually by the wise.
I chant my praise to this Teaching,
I bow my head to this Truth.
Recollection of the Sangha
Supa.tipanno bhagavato saavaka-sangho
Uju-pa.tipanno bhagavato saavaka-sangho
Naaya-pa.tipanno bhagavato saavaka-sangho
Saamiici-pa.tipanno bhagavato saavaka-sangho
Yadidam cattaari purisa-yugaani a.t.tha purisa-puggalaa
Esa bhagavato saavaka-sangho
Aahuneyyo paahuneyyo dakkhi.neyyo añjali-kara.niiyo
Anuttaram puññakkhettam lokassa
Tamaham sangham abhipuujayaami
Tamaham sangham sirasaa namaami
They are the Blessed One's disciples who have practised well,
Who have practised directly,
Who have practised insightfully,
Those who are accomplished in the practice;
That is the four pairs, the eight kinds of noble beings,
These are the Blessed One's disciples.
Such ones are worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of respect;
They give occasion for incomparable goodness to arise in the world
I chant my praise to this Sangha,
I bow my head to this Sangha
Uju-pa.tipanno bhagavato saavaka-sangho
Naaya-pa.tipanno bhagavato saavaka-sangho
Saamiici-pa.tipanno bhagavato saavaka-sangho
Yadidam cattaari purisa-yugaani a.t.tha purisa-puggalaa
Esa bhagavato saavaka-sangho
Aahuneyyo paahuneyyo dakkhi.neyyo añjali-kara.niiyo
Anuttaram puññakkhettam lokassa
Tamaham sangham abhipuujayaami
Tamaham sangham sirasaa namaami
They are the Blessed One's disciples who have practised well,
Who have practised directly,
Who have practised insightfully,
Those who are accomplished in the practice;
That is the four pairs, the eight kinds of noble beings,
These are the Blessed One's disciples.
Such ones are worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of respect;
They give occasion for incomparable goodness to arise in the world
I chant my praise to this Sangha,
I bow my head to this Sangha
The Buddha's words on loving kindness
This is what should be done
By one who is skilled in goodness,
And who knows the path of peace:
Let them be able and upright,
Straightforward and gentle in speech.
Humble and not conceited,
Contented and easily satisfied.
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.
Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful,
Not proud and demanding in nature.
Let them not do the slightest thing
That the wise would later reprove.
Wishing: In gladness and in saftey,
May all beings be at ease.
Whatever living beings there may be;
Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
The great or the mighty, medium, short or small,
The seen and the unseen,
Those living near and far away,
Those born and to-be-born,
May all beings be at ease!
Let none deceive another,
Or despise any being in any state.
Let none through anger or ill-will
Wish harm upon another.
Even as a mother protects with her life
Her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart
Should one cherish all living beings:
Radiating kindness over the entire world
Spreading upwards to the skies,
And downwards to the depths;
Outwards and unbounded,
Freed from hatred and ill-will.
Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down
Free from drowsiness,
One should sustain this recollection.
This is said to be the sublime abiding.
By not holding to fixed views,
The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision,
Being freed from all sense desires,
Is not born again into this world.
By one who is skilled in goodness,
And who knows the path of peace:
Let them be able and upright,
Straightforward and gentle in speech.
Humble and not conceited,
Contented and easily satisfied.
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.
Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful,
Not proud and demanding in nature.
Let them not do the slightest thing
That the wise would later reprove.
Wishing: In gladness and in saftey,
May all beings be at ease.
Whatever living beings there may be;
Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
The great or the mighty, medium, short or small,
The seen and the unseen,
Those living near and far away,
Those born and to-be-born,
May all beings be at ease!
Let none deceive another,
Or despise any being in any state.
Let none through anger or ill-will
Wish harm upon another.
Even as a mother protects with her life
Her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart
Should one cherish all living beings:
Radiating kindness over the entire world
Spreading upwards to the skies,
And downwards to the depths;
Outwards and unbounded,
Freed from hatred and ill-will.
Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down
Free from drowsiness,
One should sustain this recollection.
This is said to be the sublime abiding.
By not holding to fixed views,
The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision,
Being freed from all sense desires,
Is not born again into this world.
