Ratana Sutta

The Ratana Sutta is a Buddhist discourse (Pali, "sutta") found in the Pali Canon's Sutta Nipata (Sn 2.1) and Khuddakapatha (Khp 7). Seventeen verses in length, the Ratana Sutta extols the characteristics of the three "ratana" (Pali for "gem" or "jewel" or "treasure") in Buddhism: the Enlightened One ("Buddha"), the Teaching ("Dhamma") and the noble community of disciples ("ariya Sangha").

Background

In Theravada Buddhism, according to post-canonical Pali commentaries, the background story for the Ratana Sutta is that the town of Vesali was being plagued by disease, non-human beings and famine; in despair, the townspeople called upon the Buddha for aid; he had the Ven. Ananda go through town reciting this discourse leading to the dispersal of the town's woes. [See, e.g., Anandajoti (2004), p. 45, "Introductory Verses" to the Ratana Sutta; and, Bodhi (2004).]

Contents

The Ratana Sutta upholds the Three Jewels as follows:
* the Buddha as the unequalled Realized One (verse 3: "na no samam atthi Tathagatena")
* the Teaching ("dhamma") of:
** Nirvana (verse 4: "khayam viragam amatam panitam"), and
** the unsurpassed concentration (verse 5: "samadhim") leading to Nirvana
* the noble Community ("ariya sangha") for having:
** attained Nirvana (verses 7: "te pattipatta amatam vigayha"),
** realized the Four Noble Truths (verses 8-9: "yo ariyasaccani avecca passati"), and
** abandoned the first three fetters (verse 10: "tayas su dhamma jahita bhavanti") that bind us to samsara. [For a transcription of the Pali along with a line-by-line English translation, see, e.g., Anandajoti (2004), pp. 45-52.]

Use

In Theravada countries and institutions, this discourse is often recited as part of religious, public and private ceremonies for the purpose of blessing new endeavors and dispelling inauspicious forces. [See, e.g., Piyadassi (1999); and, Bodhi (2004).]

ee also

* Paritta - traditional Buddhist "protective suttas," including the Ratana Sutta.
* Three Jewels

Notes

ources

* Anandajoti Bhikkhu (ed., trans.) (2004). "Safeguard Recitals". Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society. ISBN 955-24-0255-7.

* Bodhi, Bhikkhu (2004). "Sn 2.1 Ratana Sutta — Jewels [part 1] " (lecture). Retrieved from "Bodhi Monastery" at http://www.bodhimonastery.net/courses/Sn/MP3/Sn001_Ratana.mp3 (mp3).

* Piyadassi Thera (ed., trans.) (1999). "The Book of Protection: Paritta". Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society. Retrieved 08-14-2008 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/piyadassi/protection.html.

External links

* Piyadassi Thera (trans.) (1999). "Ratana Sutta: The Jewel Discourse" (Sn 2.1). Retrieved 08-22-2008 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.2.01.piya.html.

* Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (1994). "Ratana Sutta: Treasures" (Sn 2.1). Retrieved 08-22-2008 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.2.01.than.html.