The practise of chanting in Buddhism serves three main purposes. Firstly, it is a way of honouring the Buddha. Secondly, chanting is a way of reminding oneself of the Buddha’s teachings. Thirdly, chanting is a way of affirming to oneself a commitment to the precepts and principles of peacefulness when practised with wholehearted attention on the words and meaning of the chanting.
This chanting was recorded at Dhammasara Monastery by Ajahn Vayama, Venerable Sister Nirodha, Venerable Sister Seri and at Bodhinyana Monastery by Venerable Siripanyo. Translation from Pali by the Sangha of Bodhinyana Monastery. This Chanting is played every Friday night at Dhammaloka at 7pm before the guided mediation at 7:30pm. This BSWA Chanting CD is available for purchase from the BSWA library/ bookshop.
Video: We are pleased to release this as a video with scrolling text to help those new to chanting. Created for BSWA by Jake Mitra.
Audio tracks 1 to 9.
Individual Tracks:
Track 01 of 09: Preliminary Homage to the Triple Gem.
Track 02 of 09: Preliminary Homage to The Buddha.
Track 03 of 09: Recollection Of The Buddha
Track 04 of 09: Recollection of the Dhamma.
Track 05 of 09: Recollection of the Sangha.
Track 06 of 09: Requesting the Three Refuges and Five Precepts
Track 07 of 09: Requesting the Three Refuges and The Eight Precepts
Track 08 of 09: The Buddha’s Words On Loving Kindness.
Track 09 of 09: The Karaniya Metta Sutta
This audio chanting is available for downloading from Deeper Dhamma Podcast
You can purchase the ‘Chanting the Dhamma’ book from the BSWA Book Shop or the ‘Chanting the Dhamma’ cd in person at Dhammaloka.
Track 01 of 09: Preliminary Homage to the Triple Gem.
Yo so bhagava araham samma-sambuddho
Svakkhato yena bhagavata dhammo
Supatipanno yassa bhagavato savaka-sangho
Tam-mayam bhagavantam sadhammam sasangham
Imehi sakkarehi yatharaham aropitehi abhipujayama
Sadhu no bhante bhagava sucira-parinibbuto pi
Pacchimaa-janatanukampa-manasa
Ime sakkare duggata-pannakara-bhute patigganhatu
Amhakam digha-rattam hitaya sukhaya
Araham samma sambuddho bhagava
Buddham bhagavantam abhivademi (bow)
Svakkhato bhagavata dhammo
Dhammam namassami (bow)
Supatipanno bhagavato savaka sangho
Sangham namami (bow)
One, the Lord who attained perfect enlightenment,
To the teaching which he expounded so well,
And to the Blessed One’s disciples, who have practised well,
To these – the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha –
We render with offerings our rightful homage.
It is well for us, Blessed One, that having attained liberation,
You still had compassion for the later generations,
Deign to accept these simple offerings
For our long-lasting benefit and for the happiness it gives us.
The Lord, the Perfectly Enlightened and Blessed One
I render homage to the Buddha, the Blessed One. (bow)
The teaching so completely explained by him
I bow to the Dhamma. (bow)
The Blessed One’s disciples who have practised well
I bow to the Sangha. (bow)
Track 02 of 09: Preliminary Homage to The Buddha.
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma-sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma-sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma-sambuddhassa
Homage to the Blessed, Noble and Perfectly Enlightened One.
Homage to the Blessed, Noble and Perfectly Enlightened One.
Homage to the Blessed, Noble and Perfectly Enlightened One.
Track 03 of 09: Recollection Of The Buddha
Iti pi so bhagava araham samma-sambuddho
Vijja-carana-sampanno sugato loka-vidu
Anuttaro purisa-damma-sarathi sattha
deva-manussanam buddho bhagava
Tam-aham bhagavantam abhipujayami
Tam-aham bhagavantam sirasa namami (bow)
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. (bow)
Track 04 of 09: Recollection of the Dhamma.
Svakkhato bhagavata dhammo
Sanditthiko akaliko ehipassiko
Opanayiko paccattam veditabbo vinnuhi
Tam-aham dhammam abhipujayami
Tam-aham dhammam sirasa namami (bow)
The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One.
Apparent in this very life, 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. (bow)
Track 05 of 09: Recollection of the Sangha.
Supatipanno bhagavato savaka-sangho
Uju-patipanno bhagavato savaka-sangho
Naya-patipanno bhagavato savaka-sangho
Samici-patipanno bhagavato savaka-sangho
Vad-idam cattari purisa-yugani attha purisa-puggala
Esa bhagavato savaka-sangho
Ahuneyyo pahuneyyo dakkhineyyo anjali-karaniyo
Anuttaram punnakkhettam lokassa
Tam-aham sangham abhipujayami
Tam- aham sangham sirasa namami (bow)
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 practise;
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 opportunity to make the unsurpassed merit in the world
I chant my praise to the Sangha, I bow my head to this Sangha (bow)
Track 06 of 09: Requesting the Three Refuges and Five Precepts
Mayam ayye ti-saranena saha panca silani yacama
Dutiyam pi mayam ayye ti-saranena saha panca silani yacama
Tatiyam pi mayam ayye ti-saranena saha panca silani yacama
We, Venerable Sir, request the three Refuges and the Five Precepts.
For the second time, we, Venerable Sir, request the three Refuges and the Five Precepts.
For the third time, we, Venerable Sir, request the three Refuges and the Five Precepts.
The Three Refuges
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma-sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma-sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma-sambuddhassa
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
Leader: Ti-sarana-gamanam nitthitam
Response: Ama Ayye
To the Buddha I go for refuge.
To the Dhamma I go for refuge.
To the Sangha I go for refuge.
For the second time, to the Buddha I go for refuge.
For the second time, to the Dhamma I go for refuge.
For the second time, to the Sangha I go for refuge.
For the third time, to the Buddha I go for refuge.
For the third time, to the Dhamma I go for refuge.
For the third time, to the Sangha I go for refuge.
Leader: This completes the going to the Three Refuges.
Response: Yes, Venerable Sir.
Taking the Five Precepts
- Panatipata veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
- Adinnadana veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
- Kamesu miccha-cara veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
- Musa-vada veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
- Sura-meraya-majja-pamadatthana veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
- I undertake the precept to refrain from intentionally killing living beings.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from false speech.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from alcohol and non-medicinal drugs which lead to heedlessness.
Ajahn Vayama:
Imani panca sikkh-padani
Silena sugatim yanti
Silena bhoga-sampada
Silena nibbutim yanti
Tasma silam visodhaye
Laity response:
Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu (Bow three times)
Leader:
These Five Precepts
Lead to happiness,
Lead to wealth,
Lead to Nibbanna
Therefore let morality therefore be purified.
(Bow three times).
Track 07 of 09: Requesting the Three Refuges and The Eight Precepts
Mayam ayye ti-saranena saha attha silani yacama
Dutiyam pi mayam ayye to-saranena saha attha silani
Tatiyam pi mayam ayye ti-saranena saha attha silani yacama
See track 6 for the Three Refuges
Taking the Eight Precepts
- Panatipata veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
- Adinnadana veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
- Kamesu miccha-cara veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
- Musa-vada veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
- Sura-meraya-majja-pamadatthana veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
- Vikala-bhojana veramani sikkha-paddam samadiyami
- Nacca-gita-vadita-visukadassana-mala-gandha-vilepana-dharana-mandana-vibhusanatthana veramani sikka-padam samadiyami
- Uccasayana-mahasayana veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
Track 08 of 09: 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,
Straight forward and gentle in speech.
Humble and not conceited,
Contented and easily satisfied.
Not busy with duties and frugal in their ways.
Peaceful and calm, and wise and skilful,
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 happy,
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 false views,
The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision,
Being freed from all sense desires,
Is not born again into this world.
Track 09 of 09: The Karaniya Metta Sutta
Karaniyam attha-kusalena,
Yam tam santam padam abhisamecca;
Sakko uju ca suhuju ca,
Suvaco c’assa mudu anatimani,
Santussako ca subharo ca,
Appakicco ca sallahuka-vutti;
Santindriyo ca nipako ca,
Appagabbho kulesu ananugiddho,
Na ca khuddam samacare kinci,
Yena vinnu pare upavadeyyum;
Sukhino va khemino hontu,
Sabbe satta bhavantu sukihitatta:
Ye keci pana-bhutatthi,
Tasa va thavara va anavasesa;
Digha va ye mahanta va,
Majjhima rassaka anuka-thula.
Dittha va ye ca adittha,
Ye ca dure vasanti avidure;
Bhuta va sambhavesi va,
Sabbe satta bhavantu sukhitatta.
Na paro param nikubbetha,
Natimannetha katthaci nam kinci;
Byarosana patigha-sanna,
Nannam-annassa dukkham-iccheyya.
Mata yatha niyam puttam,
Ayusa eka-puttam anurakkhe;
Evam pi sabba-bhutesu;
Manasam-bhavaye aparimanam.
Mettan-ca sabba-lokasmim,
Manasam-bhavaye aparimanam;
Uddham adho ca tiriyan ca,
Asambadam averam asapattam.
Titthan-caram nisinno va,
Sayano va yavat’assa vigata-middho;
Etam satim adhittheyya,
Brahmam-etam viharam idha-m-ahu.
Ditthin-ca anupagamma,
Silava dassanena sampanno;
Kamesu vineyya gedham,
Na hi jatu gabbha-seyyam punar-eti-ti.