One of the best things we can do to start the day is to go for refuge to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. Then when we have difficulties or problems today, we can remember to think about what our teacher the supreme Buddha has told us and try and find a solution that matches with the Dhamma. Because the happiness that comes from following the Buddha’s instructions lasts a long long time. Even into our next lives.
Today we are going to recite a longer sutta that the Buddha taught to explain the meaning of these three refuges, the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha. He gave this sutta when there was a big problem in the city of Vesālī. First there wasn’t any rain, so people couldn’t grow food. Because they didn’t have food, many people died. Because there were so many dead bodies, evil spirits came to the city to eat the bodies. And then because of all this, a great disease started spreading, which made the whole thing even worse. So because of the faith of the leaders, they sought the Supreme Buddha’s help. When the Buddha came to the city, he taught this sutta to the Venerable Ānanda and told him to walk around the city chanting this very sutta. That’s why even today in times of difficulty like we may be in now, people still recite this sutta. If you don’t have a copy of the chanting book, you can click on the show notes link and down load a copy. You may even like to memorize this sutta and chant it together every day with your family.
Contents
6:18 Ratana Sutta. Read online or download a PDF.
Related Books
- Mahamevnawa Pali-English Paritta Chanting Book. Print Book.
