Parittas
The Twenty-Eight Buddhas’ Protection
We will now recite the discourse given by the Great Hero (the Buddha), as a protection for virtue-loving human beings,
Against harm from all evil-doing, malevolent non-humans who are displeased with the Buddha’s Teachings.
Homage to all Buddhas, the mighty who have arisen:
Taṇhaṅkara, the great hero, Medhaṅkara, the renowned,
Saraṇaṅkara, who guarded the world, Dīpaṅkara, the light-bearer,
Koṇḍañña, liberator of people, Maṅgala, great leader of people,
Sumana, kindly and wise, Revata, increaser of joy,
Sobhita, perfected in virtues, Anomadassī, greatest of beings,
Paduma, illuminer of the world, Nārada, true charioteer,
Padumuttara, most excellent of beings, Sumedha, the unequalled one,
Sujāta, summit of the world, Piyadassī, great leader of men,
Atthadassī, the compassionate, Dhammadassī, destroyer of darkness,
Siddhattha, unequalled in the world, and Tissa, speaker of Truth,
Phussa, bestower of blessings, Vipassī, the incomparable,
Sikhī, the bliss-bestowing teacher, Vessabhū, giver of happiness,
Kakusandha, the caravan leader, Koṇāgamana, abandoner of ills,
Kassapa, perfect in glory, Gotama, chief of the Sakyans.
These and all self-enlightened Buddhas are also peerless ones,
All the Buddhas together, all of mighty power,
All endowed with the Ten Powers, attained to highest knowledge,
All of these are accorded the supreme place of leadership.
They roar the lion’s roar with confidence among their followers,
They observe with the divine eye, unhindered, all the world.
The leaders endowed with the eighteen kinds of Buddha-Dhamma,
The thirty-two major and eighty minor marks of a great being,
Shining with fathom-wide haloes, all these elephant-like sages,
All these omniscient Buddhas, conquerors free of corruption,
Of mighty brilliance, mighty power, of mighty wisdom, mighty strength,
Of mighty compassion and wisdom, bearing bliss to all,
Islands, guardians and supports, shelters and caves for all beings,
Resorts, kinsmen and comforters, benevolent givers of refuge,
These are all the final resting place for the world with its deities.
With my head at their feet I salute these greatest of humans.
With both speech and thought I venerate those Tathāgatas,
Whether lying down, seated or standing, or walking anywhere.
May they ever guard your happiness, the Buddhas, bringers of peace,
And may you, guarded by them, at peace, freed from all fear,
Released from all illness, safe from all torments,
Having transcended hatred, may you gain cessation.
By the power of their truth, their virtue and love,
May they protect and guard you in health and happiness.
In the Eastern quarter are beings of great power,
May they protect and guard you in health and happiness.
In the Southern quarter are deities of great power,
May they protect and guard you in health and happiness.
In the Western quarter are dragons of great power,
May they protect and guard you in health and happiness.
In the Northern quarter are spirits of great power,
May they protect and guard you in health and happiness.
In the East is Dhataraṭṭha, in the South is Viruḷhaka,
In the West is Virūpakkha, Kuvera rules the North.
These Four Mighty Kings, far-famed guardians of the world,
May they all be your protectors in health and happiness.
Sky-dwelling and earth-dwelling gods and dragons of great power,
May they all be your protectors in health and happiness.
For me there is no other refuge, the Buddha is my excellent refuge:
By this declaration of truth may the blessings of victory be yours.
For me there is no other refuge, the Dhamma is my excellent refuge:
By this declaration of truth may the blessings of victory be yours.
For me there is no other refuge, the Saṅgha is my excellent refuge:
By this declaration of truth may the blessings of victory be yours.
Whatever jewel may be found in the world, however splendid,
There is no jewel equal to the Buddha, therefore may you be blessed.
Whatever jewel may be found in the world, however splendid,
There is no jewel equal to the Dhamma, therefore may you be blessed.
Whatever jewel may be found in the world, however splendid,
There is no jewel equal to the Saṅgha, therefore may you be blessed.
If you venerate the Buddha jewel, the supreme, excellent protection,
Which benefits gods and humans, then in safety, by the Buddha’s power,
All dangers will be prevented, your sorrows will pass away.
If you venerate the Dhamma jewel, the supreme, excellent protection,
Which calms all fevered states, then in safety, by the Dhamma’s power,
All dangers will be prevented, your fears will pass away.
If you venerate the Saṅgha jewel, the supreme, excellent protection,
Worthy of gifts and hospitality, then in safety, by the Saṅgha’s power,
All dangers will be prevented, your sicknesses will pass away.
May all calamities be avoided, may all illness pass away,
May no dangers threaten you, may you be happy and long-lived,
Greeted kindly and welcome everywhere.
May four things accrue to you: long life, beauty, bliss, and strength.