Evening Chant
This traditional Theravāda evening chant opens with the threefold refuge (Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa) and flows into the comprehensive mettā bhāvanā (loving-kindness meditation) practice. Bhante Bodhidhamma guides practitioners through extending goodwill to all beings in the ten directions, following the classical progression from self to loved ones, neutral persons, difficult people, and ultimately all sentient beings throughout the cosmos.
The session includes recitation of the Maṅgala Sutta, one of the most beloved protective chants in Theravāda Buddhism, which outlines the highest blessings leading to wellbeing and spiritual progress. The chant also incorporates muditā bhāvanā (sympathetic joy) meditation, encouraging practitioners to rejoice in the happiness and success of others as an antidote to envy and ill-will.
This evening practice concludes with the traditional blessing 'Sabe sattā sukhitā hontu' (May all beings be happy), creating a peaceful transition into rest while cultivating wholesome mental states. Suitable for both beginners learning traditional chanting and experienced practitioners maintaining daily devotional practice.
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa. Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa. Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa.
Pahaṃ nāverohomi, abhayāvajohomi, anīgohomi, sukhī attānaṃ pariharāmi, dukkhaṃ mujāmi, yathāladdhasampaṭṭito, māvikacāmi. Amākaṃ cātu paccayādāyakā, averā hontu, abhayā bhājā hontu, anīgā hontu, sukhī attānaṃ pariharantu, dukkhaṃ mucantu, yathāladdhasampaṭṭito, māvikācantu.
Amāka mātā pitū ācariyo yati mitā samūhā - averā hantu, abhayā bhājā hantu, anīgā hantu, sukhī attānaṃ pariharantu, dukkhaṃ mucantu, yathāladdhasampaṭṭito, māvikācantu.
Imasmiṃ vihāre sabbhe bhikkhū, sabbā bhikkhunī, sabbhe ācaryā, sabbe yogino - averā hontu, abhayā bhājā hontu, anīgā hontu, sukhī attānaṃ pariharantu, dukkhaṃ mucantu, yathāladdhasampaṭṭito, māvikācantu.
Ārakkadevatā - averā hontu, abhayāvajā hontu, anīgā hontu, sukhī attānaṃ pariharantu, dukkhaṃ mucantu, yathāladdhasampaṭṭito, māvikācantu.
Imasmiṃ gāme janapade Yūropāya lokasmiṃ sabbe janatā - averā hontu, abhayāvajā hontu, anīgā hontu, sukhī attānaṃ pariharantu, dukkhaṃ mucantu, yathāladdhasampaṭṭito, māvikācantu.
Pūrathimāya disāya, pacchimāya disāya, puttarāya disāya, dakkhiṇāya disāya, pūrathimāya anudisāya, pacchimāya anudisāya, uttarāya anudisāya, dakkhiṇāya anudisāya, heṭṭhimāya disāya, uparimāya disāya - sabbe sattā, sabbe pāṇā, sabbe bhūtā, sabbe puggalā, sabbe attabhāvapariyāpannā, sabbā itthiyo, sabbe purisā, sabbe ariyā, sabbe anariyā, sabbe devā, sabbe manussā, sabbe vinipātikā - averā hontu, abhayāvajā hontu, anīgā hontu, sukhī attānaṃ pariharantu, dukkhaṃ mucantu, yathāladdhasampaṭṭito, māvikācantu.
Mettā bhāvanā - developing goodwill, loving-kindness. May you be safe, well and happy. May you live contented, in harmony with the world.
So we can bring to mind some of our benefactors. Those who are near and dear to us. Friends, people at work, whomever we wish. A neutral person towards ourselves. Someone we have difficulties with towards each other. All those in our neighbourhood, all the people in our country. All the peoples of Europe. All people on earth. And to all beings in all directions.
Muditā - developing joy. The traditional blessings: may you be joyful, may you be ever more joyful, may you experience the bliss of Nibbāna.
Let's bring to mind moments of joyfulness, happiness we've experienced today. Let us wish ourselves to be joyful. Let's bring to mind somebody we know who has cause to be joyful. Wish them greater joy.
Let us bring to mind that at this moment there are people who are happy and content with their lives, who are enjoying the warmth of various types of friendship from intimate to acquaintance, who enjoy the delights of art, nature, sport, hobbies and so on, who find their work meaningful, who are reaping the fruitfulness of their spiritual practice, and who rejoice in the success of others.
Let's offer our goodwill joy to all beings in all directions.
Pūjā ca pūjanīyānaṃ etam maṅgalam uttamaṃ. Paṭirūpa desa vāso ca pubbe ca katapuātā. Atta sammāpaṇidhi ca etam maṅgalam uttamaṃ. Bāhusaccaṃ ca sippañ ca vinayo ca susikkhito. Subhāsitā ca yā vācā etam maṅgalam uttamaṃ.
Mātāpitu upaṭṭhānaṃ puttadārassa saṅgaho. Anākulā ca kammantā etam maṅgalam uttamaṃ. Dānaṃ ca dhamma cariyā ca ñātakānañ ca saṅgaho. Anavajjāni kammāni etam maṅgalam uttamaṃ.
Ārati virati pāpā majjapānā ca saññamo. Appamādo ca dhammesu etam maṅgalam uttamaṃ. Gāravo ca nivāto ca santuṭṭhi ca kataññutā. Kālena dhamma savanaṃ etam maṅgalam uttamaṃ.
Khantī ca sovacassatā samaṇānañ ca dassanaṃ. Kālena dhamma sākacchā etam maṅgalam uttamaṃ. Tapo ca brahmacariyañ ca ariyasaccāna dassanaṃ. Nibbāna sacchikiriyā ca etam maṅgalam uttamaṃ.
Phuṭṭhassa lokadhammehi cittaṃ yassa na kampati. Asokaṃ virajaṃ khemaṃ etam maṅgalam uttamaṃ. Etādisāni katvāna sabbattha maparājitā sabbattha sotthiṃ gacchanti taṃ tesaṃ maṅgalam uttaman ti.
Sabbe sattā sukhitā hantu.
Sādhu, sādhu, sādhu.