The Nine Virtues of the Buddha
The Pali recollection of the Buddha's nine virtues, chanted in Theravada devotion to steady the mind and renew faith.
Verses
Thus indeed that Blessed One is the Arahant, the perfectly self-awakened One, complete in clear knowledge and virtuous conduct, the Well-Gone, the knower of all worlds, the unsurpassed guide for those who can be tamed, the teacher of gods and human beings, the Awakened One, the Blessed One.
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)
Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)
Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering
- Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home
Background
This chant, known as Buddhanussati or the Recollection of the Buddha, comes from the Theravada Buddhist tradition and is found in the Pali Canon. It is frequently recited by monks and lay practitioners during daily devotions, meditation sessions, or ceremonies, serving as a way to focus the mind on the Buddha's virtues and inspire spiritual reflection. The nine epithets recur throughout the Pali Canon as the formula of recollection, for example in the Mahanama Sutta (Anguttara Nikaya 11.12).
Did You Know?
Origin
This verse is from the Pali Canon, the oldest Buddhist scriptures, written in Pali, an ancient Indian language used to preserve the Buddha's teachings.
Structure
It lists nine distinct qualities of the Buddha, each beginning with a specific epithet such as 'Arahaṃ' (worthy) and 'Sammāsambuddho' (perfectly self-awakened), forming a complete recollection of his virtues.
Meaning
Each epithet has a precise meaning: 'Vijjācaraṇasampanno' means endowed with both knowledge and conduct, 'Lokavidū' means knower of worlds, and 'Anuttaro purisadammasāratthī' means unsurpassed leader of persons to be tamed.
Usage
Chanted daily by millions of Buddhists worldwide, this verse is used as a meditation on the Buddha's qualities, known as Buddhanussati, to inspire faith, calm the mind, and deepen devotion.
Significance
The repetition of 'Iti pi so bhagavā' (Thus, indeed, is the Blessed One) serves as a mantra-like affirmation, connecting the chanter to the Buddha's timeless example of awakening and compassion.
Buddha
More from Buddhism
See allConnected Teachings
The same teaching, echoed across traditions