Why Chant
In this instructional talk, Bhante Bodhidhamma explores the role of chanting and ritual in establishing a meditation practice. He explains how simple ceremonies—bowing, lighting candles and incense, and reciting traditional formulas—can help set the proper tone and intention for practice, though emphasizes these are not strictly necessary.
The talk provides detailed pronunciation guidance for essential Pāli chants, including the threefold recitation of taking refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha (Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi), and the five training rules (pañca-sīla). Bhante carefully explains the meaning of each precept: refraining from harming living beings, taking what is not given, sexual misconduct, wrong speech, and intoxicants that cloud awareness.
The episode concludes with guidance on closing practice with gratitude and the traditional final bow, along with making a daily determination to cultivate Right Awareness with a caring heart. This practical instruction serves both newcomers learning these foundational elements and experienced practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of Buddhist ritual and its psychological benefits for establishing mindful presence.
Now as a daily practice, some like to start with a little ritual: bowing, lighting a candle and incense, and taking the refuges and training rules. Although this is not necessary, some small ceremony can set the tone. I have recorded the chant for bowing, taking the three refuges in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha, and also the five training rules, should you want to take them before a sitting. There is also at the end a final bow.
This is how to pronounce the Pali, the language of the scriptures. When bowing, the end of the word is like our "ang" in "I rang the bell." It means "I bow to the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Saṅgha."
Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Saṅgha. For the second time, I take refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, Saṅgha. And for the third time, I take refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and the Saṅgha.
The five training rules or precepts are pronounced like this:
Pāṇātipātā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
Adinnādānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
Kāmesumicchācārā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
And they are translated like this: not to harm any living beings, not to take what is not freely given, not to abuse our sexual powers, not to use wrong speech, not to take any drugs or drinks that tend to cloud the mind.
At the end of the session, it is customary to complete it with another three bows:
Imāya dhamānudhammapaṭipattiyā
Buddhaṃ pūjemi
Dhammaṃ pūjemi
Saṅghaṃ pūjemi
By following the path of the Dhamma, the true law, I bow to the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Saṅgha.
And finally, before you rise, make a determination to devote this day, just this one day, to mindfulness with a caring heart.