Buddhist prayer

[Daniela]

METTA SUTTA - The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness

This is what should be done
By one who is skilled in goodness,
And who knows the path of peace:

Let them be able and upright,
Straightforward and gentle in speech.
Humble and not conceited,
Contented and easily satisfied.
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.
Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful,
Not proud and demanding in nature.

Let them not do the slightest thing
That the wise would later reprove.

Wishing: In gladness and in saftey,
May all beings be at ease.
Whatever living beings there may be;
Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
The great or the mighty, medium, short or small,
The seen and the unseen,
Those living near and far away,
Those born and to-be-born,
May all beings be at ease!

Let none deceive another,
Or despise any being in any state.
Let none through anger or ill-will
Wish harm upon another.

Even as a mother protects with her life
Her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart
Should one cherish all living beings:
Radiating kindness over the entire world
Spreading upwards to the skies,
And downwards to the depths;
Outwards and unbounded,
Freed from hatred and ill-will.

Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down
Free from drowsiness,
One should sustain this recollection.

This is said to be the sublime abiding.
By not holding to fixed views,
The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision,
Being freed from all sense desires,
Is not born again into this world.


GOING TO THE THREE REFUGES

Repeat after the leader:

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammaasambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammaasambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammaasambuddhassa Homage to the Blessed One, the Noble One, the Perfectly Enlightened One.
Homage to the Blessed One, the Noble One, the Perfectly Enlightened One.
Homage to the Blessed One, the Noble One, the Perfectly Enlightened One.
Buddha"m sara.na"m gacchaami
Dhamma"m sara.na"m gacchaami
Sa"ngha"m sara.na"m gacchaami

Dutiyampi buddha"m sara.na"m gacchaami
Dutiyampi dhamma"m sara.na"m gacchaami
Dutiyampi sa"ngha"m sara.na"m gacchaami

Tatiyampi buddha"m sara.na"m gacchaami
Tatiyampi dhamma"m sara.na"m gacchaami
Tatiyampi sa"ngha"m sara.na"m gacchaami
To the Buddha I go for refuge.
To the Dhamma I go for refuge.
To the Sangha I go for refuge.

For the second time, to the Buddha I go for refuge.
For the second time, to the Dhamma I go for refuge.
For the second time, to the Sangha I go for refuge.

For the third time, to the Buddha I go for refuge.
For the third time, to the Dhamma 1 go for refuge.
For the third time, to the Sangha I go for refuge.

Leader:
Tisara.na-gamana"m ni.t.thita"m

Response:
-- Aama bhante
Leader:
This completes the going to the Three Refuges.

Response:
-- Yes, Venerable Sir.



THE FIVE PRECEPTS

To undertake the precepts, repeat each precept after the leader:

1. Paa.naatipaataa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami

2. Adinnaadaanaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami

3. Kaamesu micchaacaaraa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami

4. Musaavaadaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami

5. Suraa-meraya-majja-pamaada.t.thaanaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami

1. I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.

2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.

3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.

4. I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.

5. I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating liquors and drugs which lead to carelessness.

Leader:
Imaani pañca sikkhaa-padaani
Siilena sugati"m yanti
Siilena bhoga-sampadaa
Siilena nibbuti"m yanti

Tasmaa siila"m visodhaye

Response:
-- Saadhu, saadhu, saadhu

-(bow three times)-
Leader:
These Five Precepts
Have morality as a vehicle for happiness,
Have morality as a vehicle for good fortune,
Have morality as a vehicle for liberation.

Let morality therefore be purified.

Response:
-- Well said, well said, well said!

-(bow three times)-