Hymns and Prayers

Buddhist Hymns and Prayers

On Opening the Sutra

The Dharma incomparably profound and exquisite
Is rarely met with, even in hundreds of thousands of millions of kalpas;
We are now permitted to see it, to listen to it, to accept and hold it;
May we truly understand the meaning of the Tathagata’s words!

Confession

All the evil karma ever committed by me since of old,
On account of greed, anger, and folly, which have no beginning,
Born of my body, mouth, and thought --
I now make full open confession of it.

The Threefold Refuge

I take refuge in the Buddha;
I take refuge in the Dharma;
I take refuge in the Sangha.

I take refuge in the Buddha, the incomparably honoured one;
I take refuge in the Dharma, honourable for its purity;
I take refuge in the Sangha, honourable for its harmonious life.

I have finished taking refuge in the Buddha;
I have finished taking refuge in the Dharma;
I have finished taking refuge in the Sangha.

The Four Great Vows

However innumerable beings are, I vow to save them;
However inexhaustible the passions are, I vow to extinguish them;
However immeasurable the Dharmas are, I vow to master them;
However incomparable the Buddha-truth is, I vow to attain it.

The Teaching of the Seven Buddhas

Not to commit evils,
But to do all that is good,
And to keep one’s thought pure --
This is the teaching of all the Buddhas

The Gatha of Impermanence

All composite things are impermanent,
They are subject to birth and death;
Put an end to birth and death,
And there is blissful tranquility.

[The preceding quoted in D. T. Suzuki, Manual of Zen Buddhism. N.Y.: Grove, 1960.]

Mahamangala Sutta

[Discourse of Supreme Happiness]

Pali	English
Bahu deva manussa ca Mangalani acintayum Akankha-mana sotthanam Bruhi mangala muttamam	Many deities and humans, yearning after good, have pondered on Blessings. Pray, tell me the Supreme Blessings.
Asevana ca balanam Panditanan ca sevana Puja ca puja-niyanam Etam mangala muttamam	Not to follow or associate with the foolish, to associate with the wise, and honor those who are worthy of honor. This is the Supreme Blessing.
Patirupa-desa vaso ca Pubbe ca kata-punnata Atta samma panidhi ca Etam mangala muttamam	To reside in a suitable locality, to have done meritorious actions in the past, and to have set oneself on the right course This is the Supreme Blessing.
Bahu saccanca sippanca Vinayo ca susikkhito Subhasita ca ya vaca Etam mangala muttamam	Vast-learning, perfect handicraft, a highly trained discipline and pleasant speech. This is the Supreme Blessing.
Mata pitu upatthanam Putta darassa sangaho Anakula ca kammanta Etam mangala muttamam	The support of mother and father, the cherishing of spouse and children and peaceful occupations. This is the Supreme Blessings.
Danam ca dhamma-cariya ca Natakananca sangaho Anavajjani kammani Etam mangala muttamam	Liberality, righteous conduct, the helping of relatives and blameless action. This is the Supreme Blessing.
Arati virati papa Majja-pana ca sannamo Appa-mado ca dhammesu Etam mangala muttamam	To cease and abstain from evil, forbearance with respect to intoxicants and steadfastness in virtue. This is the Supreme Blessing.
Garavo ca Sovacassata, Samana nanca dassanam Kalena dhamma sakaccha Etam mangala muttamam	Patience, obedience, sight of the holy ones and religious discussions at due season. This is the Supreme Blessing.
Tapo ca brahma cariyaca Ariya sacana dassanam Nibbana sacchi kiriyaca Etam mangal muttamam	Self-control, pure life, perception of the Noble Truths and the realization of Nibbana. This is the Supreme Blessing.
Putthassa loka dhammehi Cittam yassa na kampati Asokam virajam khemam Etam mangala muttamam	He whose mind does not flutter, by contact with worldly contingencies, sorrowless, stainless and secure. This is the Supreme Blessing.
Eta-disani katvana Sabbattha maparajita Sabbattha sotthim gacchanti Tam tesam mangala-muttamamti	To them, fulfilling matters such as these, everywhere invincible, in every way moving happily. These are the Supreme Blessings.