Mahāparittaṁ | The Great Safeguard 1-2

Mahāparittaṁ
The Great Safeguard

1. The Opening Ceremony

Namakkāraṁ
Reverence

(A senior monk first establishes the lay people
in the refuges and virtuous practices:)

Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa x 3
Reverence to him, the Gracious One, the Worthy One, the Perfect Sambuddha

Saraṇagamanaṁ
Going for Refuge

Buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
I go to the Buddha for refuge

Dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
I go to the Dhamma for refuge

Saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
I go to the Saṅgha for refuge

Dutiyam-pi Buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
For a second time I go to the Buddha for refuge

Dutiyam-pi Dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
For a second time I go to the Dhamma for refuge

Dutiyam-pi Saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
For a second time I go to the Saṅgha for refuge

Tatiyam-pi Buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
For a third time I go to the Buddha for refuge

Tatiyam-pi Dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
For a third time I go to the Dhamma for refuge

Tatiyam-pi Saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
For a third time I go to the Saṅgha for refuge

Pañcasikkhāpadāni
The Five Training Rules

Pāṇātipātā veramaṇīsikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi [01]
I undertake the training rule of refraining from killing living creatures

Adinnādānā veramaṇīsikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi [02]
I undertake the training rule of refraining from taking what has not been given

Kāmesumicchārcārā veramaṇīsikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi [03]
I undertake the training rule of refraining from sexual misconduct

Musāvādā veramaṇīsikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi [04]
I undertake the training rule of refraining from false speech

Surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇīsikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi [05]
I undertake the training rule of refraining from liquor, wines, or intoxicants which cause heedlessness.

(Then the leading monk encourages the laypeople with a teaching appropriate
to the occasion, after which the leading layman requests the recital:)

Ārādhanā
The Invitation

Vipattipaṭibāhāya, sabbasampattisiddhiyā,
For the warding off of misfortune, for the accomplishment of all good fortune,

sabbadukkhavināsāya: parittaṁ brūtha maṅgalaṁ.
for the destruction of all suffering: please chant the auspicious safeguard.

Vipattipaṭibāhāya, sabbasampattisiddhiyā,
For the warding off of misfortune, for the accomplishment of all good fortune,

sabbabhayavināsāya: parittaṁ brūtha maṅgalaṁ.
for the destruction of all fear: please chant the auspicious safeguard.

Vipattipaṭibāhāya, sabbasampattisiddhiyā,
For the warding off of misfortune, for the accomplishment of all good fortune,

sabbarogavināsāya: parittaṁ brūtha maṅgalaṁ.
for the destruction of all disease: please chant the auspicious safeguard.

Devārādhanā
The Invitation to the Gods

(The chanting begins with an invitation to the gods
to attend the ceremony and listen to the recital:)

Samantā cakkavāḷesu atrāgacchantu devatā
May the gods from all over the universe assemble here

saddhammaṁ Munirājassa suṇantu saggamokkhadaṁ:
and listen to the King of the Sage’s true Dhamma about heaven and release:

Parittassavaṇakālo ayaṁ bhadantā! ⁰¹
Reverend Sirs, this is the time for hearing the safeguard!

Parittassavaṇakālo ayaṁ bhadantā!
Reverend Sirs, this is the time for hearing the safeguard!

Parittassavaṇakālo ayaṁ bhadantā!
Reverend Sirs, this is the time for hearing the safeguard!

Tiratanaguṇavandanā
2. Worshipping the Virtues of the Three Treasures

Buddhaguṇavandanā
Worshipping the Virtues of the Buddha

Iti pi so Bhagavā Arahaṁ Sammāsambuddho,
Such is he, the Gracious One, the Worthy One, the Perfect Sambuddha,

vijjācaraṇasampanno Sugato lokavidū,
the one endowed with understanding and good conduct, the Fortunate One, the one who understands the worlds,

anuttaro purisadammasārathī,
the unsurpassed guide for those people who need taming,

Satthā devamanussānaṁ Buddho Bhagavā ti.
the Teacher of gods and men, the Buddha, the Gracious One.

Dhammaguṇavandanā
Worshipping the Virtues of the Dhamma

Svākkhāto Bhagavatā Dhammo, sandiṭṭhiko, akāliko,
The Dhamma has been well-proclaimed by the Gracious One, it is visible, not subject to time,

ehipassiko, opanayiko, paccattaṁ veditabbo viññūhī ti.
inviting inspection, onward leading, and can be understood by the wise for themselves.

Saṅghaguṇavandanā
Worshipping the Virtues of the Saṅgha

Supaṭipanno Bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho,
The Gracious One’s Saṅgha of disciples are good in their practice,

ujupaṭipanno Bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho,
the Gracious One’s Saṅgha of disciples are upright in their practice,

ñāyapaṭipanno Bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho,
the Gracious One’s Saṅgha of disciples are systematic in their practice,

sāmīcipaṭipanno Bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho,
the Gracious One’s Saṅgha of disciples are correct in their practice,

yad-idaṁ cattāri purisayugāni aṭṭha purisapuggalā,
that is to say, the four pairs of persons, the eight individual persons,

esa Bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho,
this is the Gracious One’s Saṅgha of disciples,

āhuneyyo, pāhuneyyo, dakkhiṇeyyo, añjalikaranīyo,
they are worthy of offerings, of hospitality, of gifts, and of reverential salutation,

anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassā ti.
they are an unsurpassed field of merit for the world.

Verse of Blessing

Etena saccavajjena pātu tvaṁ ratanattayaṁ!
By this declaration of the truth may the three treasures appear to you!

Etena saccavajjena pātu tvaṁ ratanattayaṁ!
By this declaration of the truth may the three treasures appear to you!

Etena saccavajjena pātu tvaṁ ratanattayaṁ!
By this declaration of the truth may the three treasures appear to you!