Buddhist Chanting for Wellbeing and Protection
of all Sentient Beings:

(Compiled for Common Ground Event at the University of the West by UWest Pali Society)

VANDANĀ - Homage

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā sambuddhassa

(Homage to Him, the Blessed One, the Exalted One, the Fully Enlightened One!)

TI-SARAṆA - Three Refuges

Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

Dutiyampi buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

Dutiyampi dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

Dutiyampi saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

Tatiyampi buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

Tatiyampi dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

Tatiyampi saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

(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 Saṅgha 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.)

PAÑCA SĪLA - Five Precepts

Pānātipātā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi
Adinnādānā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi
Kāmesu micchācārā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi
Musāvādā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi
Surā meraya majja pamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi

(I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from killing living beings.

I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from taking things not given.

I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from sexual misconduct.

I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from false speech.

I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from distilled and fermented liquor (drinks and drugs) that causes intoxication or heedlessness.)

BUDDHA VANDANĀ - Homage to the Buddha

Iti’pi so bhagavā, arahaṃ,

Sammā sambuddho,

Vijjā caraṇa sampanno,

Sugato, lokavidū,

Anuttaro purisa damma sārathī,

Satthā deva manussānaṃ,

Buddho, bhagavā’ti.

(Such indeed is the Blessed One, exalted, omniscient, endowed with knowledge and virtues. Well-gone, Knower of the worlds, an Incomparable Charioteer for the training of individuals.Teacher of gods and men, Enlightened and Holy.)

DHAMMA VANDANĀ - Homage to the Dhamma

Svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo

Sandiṭṭhiko akāliko

Ehi-passiko opanayiko

Paccattaṃ veditabbo viññūhi’ti.

(Well expounded is the Dhamma by the Blessed One,

visible here and now; not delayed in time,

inviting one to come and see; onward leading to Nibbana

to be attained by the wise, each for himself.)

SAṄGHA VANDANĀ - Homage to the Saṅgha

Supaṭipanno bhagavato sāvaka saṅgho

Uju paṭipanno bhagavato sāvaka saṅgho

Ñāya paṭipanno bhagavato sāvaka saṅgho

Sāmīci paṭipanno bhagavato sāvaka saṅgho

Yadidaṃ cattāri purisa yugāni aṭṭha purisa puggalā

Esa bhagavato sāvaka saṅgho

Āhuneyyo pāhuneyyo

Dakkhiṇeyyo añjali karaṇīyo

Anuttaraṃ puññakkhettaṃ lokassā’ti.

(Of good conduct is the Order of the Disciples of the Blessed One.

Of upright conduct is the Order of the Disciples of the Blessed One.

Of wise conduct is the Order of the Disciples of the Blessed One.

Of dutiful conduct is the Order of the Disciples of the Blessed One.

That is to say: the Four Pairs of Persons, the Eight Kinds of individuals,

this community (Saṅgha) of the Blessed One's disciples

is worthy of gifts, is worthy of hospitality,

is worthy of offerings, is worthy of reverential salutation,

is an incomparable field of merit for the world.)

MAṄGALA SUTTA – DISCOURSE ON BLESSINGS

Evaṃ me sutaṃ: ekaṃ samayaṃ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṃ viharati jetavane
anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā
abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṃ jetavanaṃ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami.
Upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṃ abhivādetvā ekamantaṃ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṃ ṭhitā
kho sā devatā bhagavantaṃ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi.

(Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Exalted One was dwelling at Anathapiṅḍika's monastery,
in Jeta's Grove, near Sāvatthi. Now when the night was far spent, a certain deity whose surpassing
splendor illuminated the entire Jeta Grove, came to the presence of the Exalted One and,
drawing near, respectfully saluted him and stood at one side. Standing thus, he addressed
the Exalted One in verse)

1. Bahū devā manussā ca maṅgalāni acintayuṃ,
Ākaṅkhamānā sotthānaṃ brūhi maṅgala’muttamaṃ

(Many deities and men, yearning after good, have pondered on blessings. Pray,
tell me the greatest blessing!)

[The Buddha]

2. Asevanā ca bālānaṃ paṇḍitānaṃ ca sevanā,
Pūjā ca pūjanīyānaṃ etaṃ maṅgala’muttamaṃ.

(Not to associate with the foolish, but to associate with the wise; and to honor

those who are worthy of honor — this is the greatest blessing.)

3. Patirūpadesavāso ca pubbe ca katapuññatā
Attasammāpaṇīdhi ca etaṃ maṅgala’muttamaṃ.

(To reside in a suitable locality, to have done meritorious actions in the past and
to set oneself in the right course — this is the greatest blessing.)

4. Bāhusaccañca sippañca vinayo ca susikkhito
Subhāsitā ca yā vācā etaṃ maṅgala’muttamaṃ.
(To have much learning, to be skillful in handicraft, well-trained in discipline,

and to be of good speech — this is the greatest blessing.)

5. Mātāpitū upaṭṭhānaṃ puttadārassa saṅgaho
Anākulā ca kammantā etaṃ maṅgala’muttamaṃ.

(To support mother and father, to cherish wife and children, and to be engaged
in peaceful occupation — this is the greatest blessing.)

6. Dānaṃ ca dhammacariyā ca ñātakānañca saṅgaho
Anavajjāni kammāni etaṃ maṅgala’muttamaṃ.

(To be generous in giving, to be righteous in conduct, to help one's relatives, and
to be blameless in action — this is the greatest blessing.)

7. Ārati virati pāpā majjapānā ca saññamo
Appamādo ca dhammesū etaṃ maṅgala’muttamaṃ.
(To loathe more evil and abstain from it, to refrain from intoxicants, and

to be steadfast in virtue — this is the greatest blessing.)

8. Gāravo ca nivāto ca santuṭṭhī ca kataññutā
Kālena dhammasavaṇaṃ etaṃ maṅgala’muttamaṃ.
(To be respectful, humble, contented and grateful; and to listen to the Dhamma

on due occasions — this is the greatest blessing.)

9. Khantī ca sovacassatā samaṇānañca dassanaṃ
Kālena dhammasākacchā etaṃ maṅgala’muttamaṃ.

(To be patient and obedient, to associate with monks and to have religious discussions
on due occasions — this is the greatest blessing.)

10. Tapo ca brahmacariyañca ariyasaccāna dassanaṃ 
      Nibbāṇa sacchikiriyā ca etaṃ maṅgala’muttamaṃ.

(Self-restraint, a holy and chaste life, the perception of the Noble Truths and

the realisation of Nibbana — this is the greatest blessing.)

11. Puṭṭhassa lokadhammehi cittaṃ yassa na kampati
Asokaṃ virajaṃ khemaṃ etaṃ maṅgala’muttamaṃ.

(A mind unruffled by the vagaries of fortune, from sorrow freed, from defilements cleansed,
from fear liberated — this is the greatest blessing.)

12. Etādisāni katvāna - sabbattha maparājitā
Sabbattha sotthiṃ gacchanti taṃ - tesaṃ maṅgala’muttamanti.

(Those who thus abide, ever remain invincible, in happiness established.
These are the greatest blessings.)

Sabbītiyo vivajjantu, sabbarogo vinassatu,
mā te bhavatvantarayo sukhī dīghayukho bhava
(May all misfortunes be avoided, may all sickness be healed, may there be no dangers to you,
may you live long and happily.)

Bhavatu sabba maṅgalaṃ - rakkhantu sabba devatā
sabba Buddhānu bhāvena - sadā sotthi bhavantu te
(May all blessings be with you. May all devas protect you.
By the power of all the Buddhas, may you be well and happy.)

Bhavatu sabba maṅgalaṃ - rakkhantu sabba devatā
sabba Dhammānu bhāvena - sadā sotthi bhavantu te
(May all blessings be with you. May all devas protect you.
By the power of all the Dhamma, may you be well and happy.)

Bhavatu sabba maṅgalaṃ - rakkhantu sabba devatā
sabba Saṅghānu bhāvena - sadā sotthi bhavantu te
(May all blessings be with you. May all devas protect you.
By the power of all the Sangha, may you be well and happy.)

Nakkhatta yakkha bhūtanaṃ - papaggaha nivaraṇa
parittassānu bhāvena, hantu tesaṃ upaddave
(By the power of this protection, may you be free from all dangers arising from
malign influences of the planets, demons and powerful spirits. May your misfortunes vanish.)

ANUMODANĀ - Transferring Merits

Ettavatā ca amhehi – Sambhataṃ puñña sampadaṃ

Sabbe sattā anumodantu – Sabba sampatti siddhiyā

(May all the other beings share this merit, which we have thus acquired!
May it contribute greatly to their happiness!)

Ākāsaṭṭhā ca bhummaṭṭhā

Devā nāgā mahiddhikā

Puññaṃ taṃ anumoditvā

Ciraṃ rakkhantu tvaṃ sadā.

(May all beings inhabiting space and earth, Devas and Nagas of mighty power,
share this merit and may they long protect you forever!)

ANUMODANĀ - Transferring Merits to the Departed Relatives

Idaṃ me ñātinaṃ hotu – Sukhitā hontu ñātayo.

(Let this (merit) accrue to our relatives, and may they be well and happy!)

SUHAMITTA PATTHANĀ – Aspiration for Spiritual Friends

Iminā puñña kammena – Mā me bāla samāgamo

Sataṃ samāgamo hotu – Yāva nibbāna pattiyā.

(By the grace of this merit that I have acquired, May I never follow the evil friends;
But only the good and spiritual friends until I attain the final goal-Nibbana.)