Bharat Devotion
Embroidered artwork for The Discourse on the Jewels (Ratana Sutta): Embroidered Buddha seated in meditation on a pink lotus, with a golden dharma wheel and a white stupa in the mountains

The Discourse on the Jewels (Ratana Sutta)

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The Discourse on the Jewels (Ratana Sutta)

The Ratana Sutta (Khp 6, Sn 2.1): the Buddha's protective discourse on the Three Jewels, taught at Vesali in a time of plague and fear.

Verses

Yanidha bhutani samagatani Bhummani va yani va antalikkhe Sabbeva bhuta sumana bhavantu Athopi sakkacca sunantu bhasitam

Verse 1

Tasma hi bhuta nisametha sabbe Mettam karotha manusiya pajaya Diva ca ratto ca haranti ye balim Tasma hi ne rakkhatha appamatta

Verse 2

Yam kinci vittam idha va huram va Saggesu va yam ratanam panitam Na no samam atthi tathagatena Idampi buddhe ratanam panitam Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Verse 3

Khayam viragam amatam panitam Yadajjhaga sakyamuni samahito Na tena dhammena samatthi kinci Idampi dhamme ratanam panitam Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Verse 4

Yam buddhasettho parivannayi sucim Samadhimanantarikannamahu Samadhina tena samo na vijjati Idampi dhamme ratanam panitam Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Verse 5

Ye puggala attha satam pasattha Cattari etani yugani honti Te dakkhineyya sugatassa savaka Etesu dinnani mahapphalani Idampi sanghe ratanam panitam Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Verse 6

Ye suppayutta manasa dalhena Nikkamino gotamasasanamhi Te pattapatta amatam vigayha Laddha mudha nibbutim bhunjamana Idampi sanghe ratanam panitam Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Verse 7

Yathindakhilo pathavim sito siya Catubbhi vatehi asampakampiyo Tathupamam sappurisam vadami Yo ariyasaccani avecca passati Idampi sanghe ratanam panitam Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Verse 8

Ye ariyasaccani vibhavayanti Gambhirapannena sudesitani Kincapi te honti bhusam pamatta Na te bhavam atthamam adiyanti Idampi sanghe ratanam panitam Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Verse 9

Sahavassa dassanasampadaya Tayassu dhamma jahita bhavanti Sakkayaditthi vicikicchitanca Silabbatam vapi yadatthi kinci Catuhapayehi ca vippamutto Chaccabhitthanani abhabba katum Idampi sanghe ratanam panitam Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Verse 10

Kincapi so kammam karoti papakam Kayena vaca uda cetasa va Abhabba so tassa paticchadaya Abhabbata ditthapadassa vutta Idampi sanghe ratanam panitam Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Verse 11

Vanappagumbe yatha phussitagge Gimhanamase pathamasmim gimhe Tathupamam dhammavaram adesayi Nibbanagamim paramam hitaya Idampi buddhe ratanam panitam Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Verse 12

Varo varannu varado varaharo Anuttaro dhammavaram adesayi Idampi buddhe ratanam panitam Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Verse 13

Khinam puranam navam natthi sambhavam Virattacitta ayatike bhavasmim Te khinabija avirulhicchanda Nibbanti dhira yathayam padipo Idampi sanghe ratanam panitam Etena saccena suvatthi hotu

Verse 14

Yanidha bhutani samagatani Bhummani va yani va antalikkhe Tathagatam devamanussapujitam Buddham namassama suvatthi hotu

Verse 15

Yanidha bhutani samagatani Bhummani va yani va antalikkhe Tathagatam devamanussapujitam Dhammam namassama suvatthi hotu

Verse 16

Yanidha bhutani samagatani Bhummani va yani va antalikkhe Tathagatam devamanussapujitam Sangham namassama suvatthi hotu

Verse 17

Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)

Auspicious Day

Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)

Best Time (Muhurta)

Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)

Sacred Offerings

Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering

Spiritual Benefits (Phalashruti)
  • Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home

Background

This is a Buddhist text from the Pali canon, specifically the Ratana Sutta (Discourse on the Jewels), found in the Sutta Nipata and Khuddakapatha collections. It is traditionally recited for protection, blessings, and to ward off danger or illness, often chanted by monks during ceremonies or in times of crisis. The verses praise the 'Three Jewels' of Buddhism—the Buddha (the enlightened teacher), his teachings (Dharma), and the community of his followers (Sangha)—and call on all beings, both earthly and celestial, to listen and join in harmony. Locator: Khuddakapatha 6 and Sutta Nipata 2.1, in 17 verses. Verses 1-2 address the gathered beings, verses 3-14 praise the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha, and verses 15-17 are the closing homage.

About this Text

Composed by: Gautama Buddha · Founder of Buddhism · c. 5th–6th century BCE, Northern India/Nepal

Born Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini, he attained enlightenment and spent the rest of his life teaching the Dhamma across northern India. His discourses (Suttas), preserved orally for generations before being written down in the Pali Canon, form the doctrinal foundation of Buddhism.

Did You Know?

Origin

According to the commentary, Vesali was struck by famine, spirits and plague. The Buddha taught this discourse to Ananda, who toured the city with the Licchavis reciting it and sprinkling water from the Buddha's bowl, and the city found relief. It is still chanted for protection.

Structure and Refrain

Each section of the sutta praises one of the Three Jewels — the Buddha, the Dhamma (his teachings), and the Sangha (the community of monks and noble disciples). Every section ends with the same wish: 'By this truth, may there be well-being.'

The Sangha as a Jewel

Verses 6 to 11 and verse 14 praise the Sangha, beginning with the eight noble persons in four pairs. They are called a 'precious jewel' because they are worthy of offerings and inspire deep faith.

Simile of the Doorpost

In verse 8, the Buddha compares a person who has fully understood the Four Noble Truths to a strong post planted deep in the earth, unshaken by winds from the four quarters. This illustrates the unshakable wisdom that comes from realizing the truths.

Protective Power

The Ratana Sutta is one of the most important protective chants (called 'parittas') in Theravada Buddhism. Monks often recite it during ceremonies for blessing homes, starting new ventures, or warding off misfortune.

Homage at the End

The final three verses are a direct homage: the assembly bows to the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha, asking that the blessings and safety they embody be bestowed on all present.