Chanting the Dhamma 01 to 09 | Ajahn Vayama

Chanting the Dhamma. Tracks 01 to 09

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 CD 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. Additionally this recording is available as a video with scrolling text to help those new to chanting. The video can be found under the practise section on the Buddhist Society of Western Australia's website www.bswa.org. 

 

01: 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)

 

02: 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.

 

03: 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)

 

04: 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)

 

05: 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)

 

06: 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

 

1. Panatipata veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
2. Adinnadana veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
3. Kamesu miccha-cara veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
4. Musa-vada veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
5. Sura-meraya-majja-pamadatthana veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami

 

1. I undertake the precept to refrain from intentionally killing living beings.
2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.
3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.
4. I undertake the precept to refrain from false speech.
5. 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).

 

07: 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

1. Panatipata veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
2. Adinnadana veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
3. Kamesu miccha-cara veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
4. Musa-vada veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
5. Sura-meraya-majja-pamadatthana veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami
6. Vikala-bhojana veramani sikkha-paddam samadiyami
7. Nacca-gita-vadita-visukadassana-mala-gandha-vilepana-dharana-mandana-vibhusanatthana veramani sikka-padam samadiyami
8. Uccasayana-mahasayana veramani sikkha-padam samadiyami

 

08: 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.

 

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.

 

Text from BSWA 'Chanting the Dhamma' cd booklet.