Discourse of Jewels

26 November 2012 06:41 pm - 2 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Kumar Wethasinghe
During the time of Sakyamuni Tathagata the township of ‘Vesali’ or ‘Vishala Maha Nuwara’ went through disastrous experience. The township which once remained prosperous was stricken with epidermy, famine, scarcity, sickness and sudden death. The people abandoned their residencies and the place became almost uninhabited while the unattended dead bodies all over polluted the entire environment. At last the King knelt at the feet of the Buddha and sought his advice to remedy the situation.

The Buddha realized that the cause of the misfortune was due to evil spirits dominating the place. Therefore the Buddha advised his chief disciple Ananda Maha Thera, to recite the Ratana Sutta (Discourse of Jewels) in order to avert the evil misfortune.

Ratana Sutta Comprise of 17 stanzas characteristically spelling that all beings present and dominating there be delighted, blissful and act with loving kindness towards the human progeny. The discourse of jewels emphasizes the supremeness of the Triple Gem. Ratana Sutta was an appeal & invitation extended to all evil companies who were responsible for causing chaos and disaster in and around the Visala Township, to listen and realize the Buddha’s words and to gain bliss by virtue of that truth.

Accordingly, sprinkling the holy water carried in the Buddha’s alms bowl Ananda Maha Thera chanted Ratana Sutta, in Buddha’s Language “Yanidha bhutani Samagatani” “To the company of beings who were there in the skies above land below or else where to listen and develop loving kindness towards the Human progeny”.

Having attentively listened to the Buddha’s words, Sakka, the King of Devas too became delighted and pleased to listen partitas and ordered all divine beings to participate in the chanting and collectively radiate the vibrations of loving kindness towards suffering human race. Eversince the sutta is practiced as a strong remedial measure to avert evil misfortune. Also even at present the divine beings are invited listen “partitas” as a practice prior to chanting.

1. Whatever beings are assembled together here (Terrestrial or celestial),
Of the land below or of the skies above,
May they all be thoroughly pleased in mind
And listen respectfully to what is being uttered now.

2. May all those beings therefore be attentive
Let them develop loving kindness towards the human progeny.
They that bring them offerings by day and by night
Let the extra-terrestrial beings diligently keep watch over them.

3. Whatever thing of value there be here or elsewhere
Or in the heavenly worlds whatever delightful treasure be.
There’s nothing that matches with the Buddha, the Thus-Gone One.
This is a point of great merit in the Buddha.
May there be bliss by virtue of this truth.

4. That termination, that detachment, that blissful deathlessness
Which the Sakyan Sage in his self-composure did attain.
There’s nothing that equals that dhamma.
This is a point of great merit in the Dhamma.
May there be bliss by virtue of this truth.

5. That state of tranquility which the Buddha Supreme hailed
As being pure and uninterrupted in its fruition,
There is none to equal that state.
This is a point of great merit in the Dhamma.
May there be bliss by virtue of this truth.

6. Those eight persons who have been praised by the virtuous.
They constitute four pairs
Those disciples of the Well-Gone One
Are worthy of honour and offerings.
Gifts made unto them bear bounteous fruit.
This is a point of great merit in the Sangha.
May there be bliss by virtue of this.

7. Those endowed with firmness of mind
Are setting forth within the dispensation of Gotama,
Having acquired immortality, they have reached their goal.
Obtaining it free, they enjoy that cessation.
This is a point of great merit in the Sangha.
May there be bliss by virtue of this.

8. Like the Indra’s Pole firmly planted in the ground.
Which the winds from the four quarters cannot assail.
I hold the man of virtue to be like unto that,
The one who penetratingly sees the Noble Truths.
This is a point of great merit in the Sangha.
May there be bliss by virtue of this

9. They who nurture the Nobel Truths,
Truths well expounded by him of Profound - Wisdom.
They, even through delays great or small,
Incur not an eighth birth in samsara.
This is a point of great merit in the Sangha.
May there be bliss by virtue of this.

10. Together with his acquisition of correct vision,
Three hindering factors get eliminated.
Erroneous view of selfhood and skeptical doubt
Holding on to rituals and vows, and whatever else there be.
Freed from the four states of degeneracy,
Such a one is incapable of committing the six grave crimes.
This is a point of great merit in the Sangha.
May there be bliss by virtue of this.

11. Even though he commits an act of evil
Through thought, word or deed,
He is incapable of concealing it.
For it has been declared impossible for one who has gained his vision.
This is a point of great merit in the Sangha.
May there be bliss by virtue of this.

12. Like unto a bush in the jungle that is in full bloom,
In the hot month of early Summer,
Such a lovely dhamma, a dhamma leading to Nibbana,
Out of highest compassion did the Lord preach.
This is a point of great merit in the Buddha.
May there be bliss by virtue of this.

13.The Buddha who is supremely noble, As the knower,
the giver and bringer of what’s noble,
Unsurpassed as he is, preached this excellently noble dhamma.
This is a point of great merit in the Buddha.
May there be bliss by virtue of this.

14.The past has been worn out
There’s no more new genesis
They are with detached thoughts for a future birth.
Their seeds are totally destroyed
Their wishes and longings will never sprout again
These great wise men will completely of this lamp
This is a point of great merit in the Sangha.
May there be bliss by virtue of this.

15.Whatever beings are gathered together here,
Of the land below or of the skies above,
Let us pay homage to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha
The Triple Gem which is honoured by gods and men.
May there be success, security and prosperity.

Comments - 2

Packian Wednesday, 28 November 2012 12:37 AM

Rattana Sutta must be broadcast on all channels of radio and television to bring prosperity to the nation.

ss Wednesday, 28 November 2012 04:49 AM

People should realise the value of Rathana Sutta by contemplating the meaning of the Lord Buddha's noble words. then only you get the real protection by chanting pirith sutta [Pitith is protection]

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Discourse of Jewels

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