Buddhist Women on a Path of Spiritual Awakening
May you have every good blessing. May all heavenly beings protect you.
Through the power of all the Buddhas, through the power of all the Dhammas,
Through the power of all the Sanghas, may you always be truly well.
Protective Verses on Treasured Jewels, adapted from Ratana Sutta, Sutta Nipāta II.i
Yaṃ kiñci vittaṃ idha vā huraṃ vā
Saggēsu vā yaṃ ratanaṃ paṇītaṃ
Na no samaṃ atthi Tathāgatēna.
Idampi Buddhe ratanaṃ paṇītaṃ,
Etēna saccēna suvatthi hōtu.
Khayaṃ virāgaṃ amataṃ paṇītaṃ
Yadajjhagā Sakyamunī samāhito,
Na tēna Dhammēna samatthi kiñci.
Idampi Dhamme ratanaṃ paṇītaṃ,
Etēna saccēna suvatthi hōtu.
Yaṃ Buddha seṭṭho parivaṇṇayī suciṃ
Samādhimānantarikaññamāhu,
Samādhinā tēna samo na vijjati.
Idampi Dhamme ratanaṃ paṇītaṃ,
Etēna saccēna suvatthi hōtu
Khīṇaṃ purāṇaṃ navaṃ natthi sambhavaṃ
Virattacittā āyatike bhavasmiṃ
Tē khīṇabījā avirūlhicchandā
Nibbanti dhīrā yathā yaṃpadīpo
Idampi Saṅghe ratanaṃ paṇītaṃ
Etēna saccēna suvatthi hōtu
Whatever wealth exists in this world or the next
Whatever exquisite treasure there lies in the heavens
Cannot compare to the Blessed One.
This is the exquisite treasure of the Buddha
By the power of this Truth may your heart be peaceful, at ease.
The sublime Deathless, the ending of dispassion
Discovered by the Sakyan Sage in samadhi.
There is nothing equal to that state.
This is the exquisite treasure of the Dhamma.
By the power of this Truth may your heart be radiant, at peace.
What the magnificent Awakened One praised as pure
Calling it the unmediated knowing of the stilled mind,
No equal to that state of mind can be found.
This too is an exquisite jewel of the Dhamma
By the power of this Truth may your heart be blessed, serene.
The eight persons, the four pairs praised by those at peace,
Those disciples of the Tathagata worthy of offerings,
What is given to them bears great fruit.
This is an exquisite treasure of the Sangha.
By the power of this Truth may your heart be uplifted, full of light.
Those steadfast devotees, earnest followers
Of the teachings of the Blessed One,
On attaining their goal they plunge into the Deathless
And freely enjoy the Liberation they’ve gained.
This is an exquisite treasure of the Sangha.
By the power of this Truth may your heart rejoice in bliss.
With the old seed destroyed, there is no taking rebirth.
For the purified mind freed from desire
There is no more becoming, nor further growth.
For these wise ones go out like the flame of a lamp.
This too is an exquisite treasure of the Sangha.
By the power of this Truth may your heart be fully-liberated, free.
Bahuṃ ve saraṇaṃ yanti, pabbatāni vanāni ca,
Ārāma-rukkha-cetyāni, manussā bhaya-tajjitā.
Many beings go for refuge, those who are struck by fear
They go to mountains and forests, to gardens, parks and shrines:
N’etaṃ kho saraṇaṃ khemaṃ, n’etaṃ saraṇam-uttamaṃ,
N’etaṃ saraṇam-āgamma, sabba-dukkhā pamuccati.
These are not secure refuge, they are not refuge supreme,
Having sought refuge in these, one is not freed from suffering.
Yo ca Buddhañca Dhammañca, Saṅghañca saraṇaṃ gato,
Cāttāri ariya-saccāni, sammappaññāya passati:
But one who goes for refuge to the Noble Triple Jewels
Sees the four Noble Truths with right discernment:
Dukkhaṃ dukkha-samuppādaṃ, dukkhassa ca atikkamaṃ,
Ariyañc’aṭṭhaṅgikaṃ maggaṃ, dukkhūpasama-gāminaṃ.
Suffering and its cause, transcending suffering,
And the Noble Eightfold Path that leads to suffering’s end.
Etaṃ kho saraṇaṃ khemaṃ. etaṃ saraṇam-uttamaṃ,
Etaṃ saraṇam-āgamma, sabba-dukkhā pamuccati.
That is a secure refuge, that is refuge supreme.
Having gone to such a refuge one is freed from suffering.
Brahmā cà lokādhipàtī sàhampàti, kàtañjàlī anàdhivàraṃ àyācàtha
Santȸdha sàttāppàràjakkhà-jātikā, desetù dhammaṃ ànùkampìmaṃ pàjaṃ
The deity Brahma Sahampati appeared before the Blessed One and urged the Buddha to teach to those who had little dust in their eyes so that they could learn the Dhamma and practice for their own awakening.
Tisaraṇena saddhiṃ anagārikā silaṃ dhammaṃ samādayitvā sādhukaṃ surakkhitaṃ katvā. Appamādena sampādetha.
With faith in the Noble Triple Refuges and having well-undertaken the monastic training, Strive on with diligence for your welfare and protection.
Iminā puñña-kammena upajjhāyā guṇuttarā
Ācariyūpakārā ca mātā pitā ca ñātakā
Suriyo candimā rājā guṇavantā narā-pi ca
Brahma-Mārā ca Indā ca loka-pālā ca devatā
Yamo mittā manussā ca majjhattā verikā-pi ca:
Sabbe sattā sukhī hontu puññāni pakatāni me
Sukhañca tividhaṁ dentu khippaṁ pāpetha vomataṁ.
Iminā puñña-kammena iminā uddisena ca
Khippāhaṁ sulabhe ceva taṇhupādāna-chedanaṁ.
Ye santāne hinā dhammā yāva nibbānato mamaṁ
Nassantu sabbadā yeva yattha jāto bhave bhave.
Uju-cittaṁ sati-paññā sallekkho viriyamhinā
Mārā labhantu nokāsāṁ kātuñ-ca viriyesu me.
Buddhādi-pavaro nātho dhammo nātho varuttamo,
Nātho pacceka-buddho ca saṅgho nāthottaro mamaṁ.
Tesottamānubhāvena mārokāsaṁ labhantu mā.
Sakkatvā buddha-ratanaṃ osathaṃ uttamaṃ varaṃ
Hitaṃ deva-manussānaṃ buddha-tejena sotthinā
Nassant’upaddavā sabbe dukkhā vūpasamentu te/me
Sakkatvā dhamma-ratanaṃ osathaṃ uttamaṃ varaṃ
Pariḷāhūpasamanaṃ dhamma-tejena sotthinā
Nassant’upaddavā sabbe bhayā vūpasamentu te/me
Sakkatvā saṅgha-ratanaṃ osathaṃ uttamaṃ varaṃ
Āhuneyyaṃ pāhuneyyaṃ saṅgha-tejena sotthinā
Nassant’upaddavā sabbe rogā vūpasamentu te/me
I revere the jewel of the Buddha, the supreme, most excellent healer,
benefactor of deities and humans.
Blessed by the power of the Buddha
May all misfortune be diminished and all suffering dispelled.
I revere the jewel of the Dhamma, the supreme, most excellent protection,
relieving all suffering.
Blessed by the power of the Dhamma
May all obstacles be destroyed and every fear vanquished.
I revere the jewel of the Saṅgha, the supreme, most excellent medicine,
worthy of gifts and of hospitality.
Blessed by the power of the Saṅgha
May all hardship dissolve and every disease be subdued.
Karaṇīyam-attha-kusalena
Yan-taṃ santaṃ padaṃ abhisamecca
Sakko ujū ca suhujū ca
Suvaco c’assa mudu anatimānī
Santussako ca subharo ca
Appakicco ca sallahuka-vutti
Sant’indriyo ca nipako ca
Appagabbho kulesu ananugiddho
Na ca khuddaṃ samācare kiñci
Yena viññū pare upavadeyyuṃ
Sukhino vā khemino hontu
Sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhit’attā
Ye keci pāṇa-bhūt’atthi
Tasā vā thāvarā vā anavasesā
Dīghā vā ye mahantā vā
Majjhimā rassakā aṇuka-thūlā
Diṭṭhā vā ye ca adhiṭṭhā
Ye ca dūre vasanti avidūre
Bhūtā vā sambhavesī vā
Sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhit’attā
Na paro paraṃ nikubbetha
Nātimaññetha katthaci naṃ kiñci
Byārosanā paṭighasaññā
Nāññam-aññassa dukkham-iccheyya
Mātā yathā niyaṃ puttaṃ
Āyusā eka-puttam-anurakkhe
Evam’pi sabba-bhūtesu
Mānasam-bhāvaye aparimāṇaṃ
Mettañ-ca sabba-lokasmiṃ
Mānasam-bhāvaye aparimāṇaṃ
Uddhaṃ adho ca tiriyañ-ca
Asambādhaṃ averaṃ asapattaṃ
Tiṭṭhañ-caraṃ nisinno vā
Sayāno vā yāvat’assa vigata-middho
Etaṃ satiṃ adhiṭṭheyya
Brahmam-etaṃ vihāraṃ idham-āhu
Diṭṭhiñca anupagamma
Sīlavā dassanena sampanno
Kāmesu vineyya gedhaṃ
Na hi jātu gabbha-seyyaṃ punaretī’ti
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 safety, 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 wrong views, the pure-hearted one,
Having clarity of vision, being freed from all sense desires,
Is not born again into this world.
Yaṅkiñci ratanaṃ loke vijjati vividhaṃ puthu
Ratanaṃ buddha-samaṃ n’atthi tasmā sotthī bhavantu te/me
Yaṅkiñci ratanaṃ loke vijjati vividhaṃ puthu
Ratanaṃ dhamma-samaṃ n’atthi tasmā sotthī bhavantu te/me
Yaṅkiñci ratanaṃ loke vijjati vividhaṃ puthu
Ratanaṃ saṅgha-samaṃ n’atthi tasmā sotthī bhavantu te/me
Whatever jewel may be found in the world, however splendid,
There is no jewel equal to the Buddha, therefore may you be blessed.
Whatever jewel may be found in the world, however splendid,
There is no jewel equal to the Dhamma, therefore may you be blessed.
Whatever jewel may be found in the world, however splendid,
There is no jewel equal to the Sangha, therefore may you be blessed.
Katame ca bhikkhave, aṭṭha mahā purisavitakkā:
Appicchassāyaṃ bhikkhave, dhammo nāyaṃ dhammo mahicchassa.
Santuṭṭhassāyaṃ bhikkhave dhammo nāyaṃ dhammo asantuṭṭhassa.
Pavivittassāyaṃ bhikkhave, dhammo nāyaṃ dhammo saṅgaṇikārāmassa. Āraddhaviriyassāyaṃ bhikkhave, dhammo nāyaṃ dhammo kusītassa.
Upaṭṭhitasatissāyaṃ bhikkhave, dhammo nāyaṃ dhammo muṭṭhassatissa. Samāhitassāyaṃ bhikkhave, dhammo nāyaṃ dhammo asamāhitassa.
Paññavato ayaṃ bhikkhave, dhammo nāyaṃ dhammo duppaññassa.
Nippapañcārāmassāyaṃ bhikkhave, dhammo nippapañcaratino nāyaṃ dhammo papañcārāmassa papañcaratino.
What are the eight great noble thoughts?
This Dhamma is for one who wants little, not for one who wants much.
This Dhamma is for one who is contented, not for one who is discontented.
This Dhamma is for one who loves seclusion, not for one who craves company.
This Dhamma is for one who is energetic, not for one who is lazy.
This Dhamma is for one who is mindful, not for one who is inattentive.
This Dhamma is for one who is composed, not for one who is restless.
This Dhamma is for one who is wise, not for one without wisdom.
This Dhamma is for one who is free from distractions,
not for one who is distracted.
This Dhamma is for who loves peace, not for one who delights in conflict. –
With a heart of gratitude, I reflect on this meal:
I give thanks to the earth, the sun, the wind and the rain,
And the hard work of all who produced, prepared, and offered it.
I consider it just like the body,
Made of mere elements, devoid of self.
Mindful and content,
I eat this food like a good medicine
Only to relieve feelings of hunger.
I consider my conduct and speech, and even my thoughts,
And commit to abandon what is unwholesome.
To purify the mind and awaken,
And to live with joy, kindness, wisdom, and compassion.
Four things return to one who gives the gift of food:
Long life, strength, inner beauty and happiness.
We will now recite the discourse given by the Great Hero
(the Buddha), as a protection for virtue-loving human beings,
Against harm from all evil-doing, malevolent non-humans who are
displeased with the Buddha’s Teachings.
Homage to all Buddhas, the mighty who have arisen:
Taṇhaṅkara, the great hero, Medhaṅkara, the renowned,
Saraṇaṅkara, who guarded the world, Dīpaṅkara, the light-bearer,
Koṇḍañña, liberator of people, Maṅgala, great leader of people,
Sumana, kindly and wise, Revata, increaser of joy,
Sobhita, perfected in virtues, Anomadassī, greatest of beings,
Paduma, illuminer of the world, Nārada, true charioteer,
Padumuttara, most excellent of beings, Sumedha, the unequalled one,
Sujāta, summit of the world, Piyadassī, great leader of men,
Atthadassī, the compassionate, Dhammadassī, destroyer of darkness,
Siddhattha, unequalled in the world, and Tissa, speaker of Truth,
Phussa, bestower of blessings, Vipassī, the incomparable,
Sikhī, the bliss-bestowing teacher, Vessabhū, giver of happiness,
Kakusandha, the caravan leader, Koṇāgamana, abandoner of ills,
Kassapa, perfect in glory, Gotama, chief of the Saky
These and all self-enlightened Buddhas are also peerless ones,
All the Buddhas together, all of mighty power,
All endowed with the Ten Powers, attained to highest knowledge,
All of these are accorded the supreme place of leadership.
They roar the lion’s roar with confidence among their followers,
They observe with the divine eye, unhindered, all the world.
The leaders endowed with the eighteen kinds of Buddha-Dhamma,
The thirty-two major and eighty minor marks of a great being,
Shining with fathom-wide haloes, all these elephant-like sages,
All these omniscient Buddhas, conquerors free of corruption,
Of mighty brilliance, mighty power, of mighty wisdom, mighty strength,
Of mighty compassion and wisdom, bearing bliss to all,
Islands, guardians and supports, shelters and caves for all beings,
Resorts, kinsmen and comforters, benevolent givers of refuge,
These are all the final resting place for the world with its deities.
With my head at their feet I salute these greatest of humans.
With both speech and thought I venerate those Tathāgatas,
Whether lying down, seated or standing, or walking anywhere.
May they ever guard your happiness, the Buddhas, bringers of peace,
And may you, guarded by them, at peace, freed from all fear,
Released from all illness, safe from all torments,
Having transcended hatred, may you gain cessation.
By the power of their truth, their virtue and love,
May they protect and guard you in health and happiness.
In the Eastern quarter are beings of great power,
May they protect and guard you in health and happiness.
In the Southern quarter are deities of great power,
May they protect and guard you in health and happiness.
In the Western quarter are dragons of great power,
May they protect and guard you in health and happiness.
In the Northern quarter are spirits of great power,
May they protect and guard you in health and happiness.
In the East is Dhataraṭṭha, in the South is Viruḷhaka,
In the West is Virūpakkha, Kuvera rules the North.
These Four Mighty Kings, far-famed guardians of the world,
May they all be your protectors in health and happiness.
Sky-dwelling and earth-dwelling gods and dragons of great power,
May they all be your protectors in health and happiness.
For me there is no other refuge, the Buddha is my excellent refuge:
By this declaration of truth may the blessings of victory be yours.
For me there is no other refuge, the Dhamma is my excellent refuge:
By this declaration of truth may the blessings of victory be yours.
For me there is no other refuge, the Saṅgha is my excellent refuge:
By this declaration of truth may the blessings of victory be yours.
May you be blessed.
Whatever jewel may be found in the world, however splendid,
There is no jewel equal to the Buddha, therefore may you be blessed.
Whatever jewel may be found in the world, however splendid,
There is no jewel equal to the Dhamma, therefore may you be blessed.
Whatever jewel may be found in the world, however splendid,
There is no jewel equal to the Saṅgha, therefore may you be blessed.
If you venerate the Buddha jewel, the supreme, excellent protection,
Which benefits gods and humans, then in safety, by the Buddha’s power,
All dangers will be prevented, your sorrows will pass away.
If you venerate the Dhamma jewel, the supreme, excellent protection,
Which calms all fevered states, then in safety, by the Dhamma’s power,
All dangers will be prevented, your fears will pass away.
If you venerate the Saṅgha jewel, the supreme, excellent protection,
Worthy of gifts and hospitality, then in safety, by the Saṅgha’s power,
All dangers will be prevented, your sicknesses will pass away.
May all calamities be avoided, may all illness pass away,
May no dangers threaten you, may you be happy and long-lived,
Greeted kindly and welcome everywhere.
May four things accrue to you: long life, beauty, bliss, and strength.
Rattaññūnaṃ bhikkhunīnaṃ [Mahapajapati] Gotamī jinamātuchā
Ṭhapitā aggaṭṭhānamhi sadā sotthiṁ karotu no
Mahā paññānam-aggaṭṭhā Khemātherī ti pākaṭā
Sāvikā Buddhaseṭṭhassa sadā sotthiṃ karotu no
Therī Uppalavaṇṇā ca iddhimantīnam-uttamā
Sāvikā Buddhaseṭṭhassa sadā sotthiṃ karotu no
Vinayaddhārīnam-aggā Paṭācārā-ti vissutā
Ṭhapitā aggaṭṭhānamhi sadā sotthiṃ karotu no
Dhammakkathikānaṃ pavarā Dhammadinnā-ti nāmikā
Ṭhapitā aggaṭṭhānamhi sadā sotthiṃ karotu no
Jhāyikānaṃ bhikkhunīnaṃ Nandā Therī ti nāma sā
Aggaṭṭhānāthitā āhu sadā sotthiṃ karotu no
Āraddhaviriyānaṃ aggā Soṇā Therī ti nāmikā
Ṭhapitā tattha ṭhānamhi sadā sotthiṃ karotu no
Dibbacakkūkam-aggā Sakulā iti vissutā
Visuddhanayanā sā pi sadā sotthiṃ karotu no
Kuṇḍalakesī Bhikkhunī khippābhiññānam-uttamā
Ṭhapitā yeva ṭhānamhi sadā sotthiṃ karotu no
Therī Bhaddā Kapilānī pubbajātīnam-anussarī
Tāsaṃ yeva bhikkhunīnaṃ sadā sotthiṃ karotu no
Therī tu Bhaddā Kaccānā mahābhiññānam-uttamā
Jinena sukhadukkhaṃ sā sadā sotthiṃ karotu no
Lūkhacīvaradhārīnaṃ aggā Kisā pi Gotamī
Ṭhapitā aggaṭṭhānamhi sadā sotthiṃ karotu no
Sigālamātā Bhikkhunī saddhādhimuttānam-uttamā
Karotu no mahāsantiṃ ārogyañ-ca sukhaṃ sadā
Aññā bhikkhuniyo sabbā nānāguṇadharā bahū
Pālentu no sabbabhayā sokarogādisambhavā
Sotapannādayo sekkhā addhāpaññāsīlādikā
Bhāgaso kilesadahanā sadā sotthiṃ karotu no.
Amongst foremost bhikkhunis Mahapajapati Gotamī shines,
The Buddha’s maternal aunt, who attained the supreme state.
May the power of her awakening be a blessing to us.
Foremost in great wisdom, Khemā Therī is renowned.
Disciple of the excellent Buddha,
May the power of her awakened mind be a blessing to us.
Uppalavaṇṇā Therī is highest of those with psychic powers.
Disciple of the excellent Buddha,
May the power of her enlightenment be a blessing to us.
Foremost among Vinaya experts is the renowned Paṭācārā.
Attained to the supreme state,
May the power of her liberation be a blessing to us.
Most excellent of Dhamma teachers is Dhammadinnā,
Attained to the supreme state,
May the power of her perfected mind be a blessing to us.
Among Nuns who cultivate meditation, excels Nandā Therī
Well-established in the supreme state.
May the power of her enlightened mind be a blessing to us.
Foremost amongst those energetic Nuns is Soṇā Therī,
Established in that supreme state.
May the power of her awakened mind be a blessing to us.
As the foremost of those with the divine eye, Sakula excels,
With insight well purified. May her enlightenment be a blessing for us.
Kuṇḍalakesī Bhikkhunī, most excellent of those with quick intuition.
Established in the supreme state. May her great awakening bless us.
Bhaddā Kapilānī is the foremost of those recalling former births.
Fearless Bhikkhuni. May her great powers be a blessing to us.
Bhaddā Kaccānā Therī excels amongst those with higher knowledges.
Victorious over pleasure and pain. May she be a blessing to us.
Kisā Gotamī is foremost of those wearing coarse robes.
Attaining the supreme state, her liberation is an auspicious blessing to us.
Sigālamātā Bhikkhunī is most excellent amongst those of true faith.
May her superior qualities ever bless us with peace, health and happiness.
May these excellent Bhikkhunī and the power of their realizing Nibbāna
protect and guard us, dispel all fear, sorrow, and illness.
Those stream-winners and all others in training, endowed with faith,
wisdom, and virtue, with their impurities partially burnt away –
May the power of their awakenings always be a blessing to us.