Buddhist Women on a Path of Spiritual Awakening
Audio Chants
A Blessing Chant – Bhavatu Sabba Mangalam
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 well.
Ratana Sutta Chant
Protective Verses on Treasures (Jewels), adapted from the Ratana Sutta, Sutta Nipata II.i
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.
Traditional Request for Dhamma Teaching
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.
Refuge Blessing Chant
With faith in the Noble Triple Refuges and having well-undertaken the monastic training, strive on with diligence for your welfare and protection.
Imina Punya – Verses on The Sharing of Blessings (in Pāli)
Sakatva Blessing Chant
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.
Karaniya Metta Sutta – Verses on Loving-Kindness
A Little Gospel
Millennial Dhamma talk request
Yankinci Ratanam Loke (from 28 Buddhas Blessing Chant)
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.
Namo Tassa Homage Chant
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 delights in freedom from distraction,
not for one who is distracted.
This Dhamma is for who loves peace, not for one who delights in conflict.
– Anguttara VIII, 30 (adapted)
Meal Blessing
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.
Aggasāvikā Bhikkhunis – Arahant Daughters of the Buddha composed by Mel Zeiki, UK
Rattaññūnaṁ Bhikkhunīnaṁ, Gotamī Jinamātuchā
Gotamī, the Buddha’s aunty, amongst those Nuns of long standing
Ṭhapitā aggaṭṭhānamhi, sadā sotthiṁ karotu no!
Is placed in the first position, (through that) may we always be safe!
Mahā paññānam-aggaṭṭhā Khemātherī ti pākaṭā,
The first amongst those of great wisdom is the renowned elder Khemā,
Sāvikā Buddhaseṭṭhassa sadā sotthiṁ karotu no!
Disciple of the excellent Buddha, may we always be safe!
Therī Uppalavaṇṇā ca iddhimantīnam-uttamā
The elder Uppalavaṇṇā is supreme amongst those with power
Sāvikā Buddhaseṭṭhassa sadā sotthiṁ karotu no!
Disciple of the excellent Buddha, may we always be safe!
Vinayadhārīnam-aggā Paṭācārā-ti vissutā,
Amongst those who uphold Discipline, first is the famous Paṭācārā,
Ṭhapitā aggaṭṭhānamhi, sadā sotthiṁ karotu no!
Who is placed in first position, (through that) may we always be safe!
Dhammakathikānaṁ pavarā Dhammadinnā-ti nāmikā
Amongst those who speak on Dhamma, the noble one called Dhammadinnā
Ṭhapitā aggaṭṭhānamhi, sadā sotthiṁ karotu no!
Is placed in the first position, (through that) may we always be safe!
Jhāyikānaṁ bhikkhunīnam Nandā Therī ti nāma sā
Amongst those who attain absorption, the Elder called Nandā
Aggaṭṭhānāthitā āhu, sadā sotthiṁ karotu no!
Is said to hold first position, (through that) may we always be safe!
Āraddhaviriyānaṁ aggā Soṇā Therī ti nāmikā
Amongst those who stir up energy, the Elder called Soṇā is first
Ṭhapitā tattha ṭhānamhi, sadā sotthiṁ karotu no!
(She) is placed in that position, (through that) may we always be safe!
Dibbacakkhukūnam-aggā Sakulā iti vissutā,
Amongst those with Divine-Eyes, the famous Sakulā is the first,
Visuddhanayanā sā pi, sadā sotthiṁ karotu no!
She who has purified her eyes, (through that) may we always be safe!
Kuṇḍalakesī Bhikkhunī khippābhiññānam-uttamā,
The Nun Kuṇḍalakesī is supreme ’mongst those with quick knowledge,
Ṭhapitā yeva ṭhānamhi sadā sotthiṁ karotu no!
(She is) placed in first position, (through that) may we always be safe!
Therī Bhaddā Kapilānī pubbajātīnam-anussarī
The elder Bhaddā Kapilā, amongst those who recall past lives,
Tāsaṁ yeva Bhikkhunīnaṁ, sadā sotthiṁ karotu no! (Is the first) amongst (all) those Nuns, (through that) may we always be safe!
Therī tu Bhaddā Kaccānā mahābhiññānam-uttamā
The elder Bhaddā Kaccānā is supreme amongst those with deep knowledge
Jinena sukhadukkhaṁ sā, sadā sotthiṁ karotu no!
Through conquering pleasure and pain, (through that) may we always be safe!
Lūkhacīvaradhārīnaṁ aggā Kisā pi Gotamī,
Amongst those who wear rough robes the first is (called) Kisā Gotamī,
Ṭhapitā aggaṭṭhānamhi sadā sotthiṁ karotu no!
(She) is placed in first position, (through that) may we always be safe!
Sigālamātā Bhikkhunī saddhādhimuttānam-uttamā,
The Nun Sigāla’s Mother is supreme amongst the faith-released,
Karotu no mahāsantiṁ, ārogyañ-ca sukhaṁ sadā!
(Through that) may we have great peace, good health and happiness forever!
Aññā Bhikkhuniyo sabbā nānāguṇadharā bahū,
Of the other Nuns they all had many and quite diverse virtues,
Pālentu no sabbabhayā sokarogādisambhavā,
They protect us from all fears, grief and disease that has arisen,
Sotapannādayo sekkhā saddhāpaññāsīlādikā,
Those in training, having faith, wisdom, virtue and so forth, beginning with Stream-Enterers,
Bhāgaso kilesadahanā sadā sotthiṁ karotu no!
Have burned a portion of their defilements, (through that) may we always be safe.
~ Dhammapada Verse 54