The Jewel Discourse - Ratana Sutta

In the ancient city of Vesali, a formidable triple threat loomed large — famine, malevolent spirits, and a relentless pestilence. The city, gripped by these harrowing challenges, sought refuge in the wisdom of the Enlightened One. The compassionate Buddha, residing in Rajagaha, responded to the desperate pleas of the suffering citizens.

Buddha’s Arrival

Accompanied by a multitude of monks, including his devoted disciple Venerable Ananda, the Buddha descended upon Vesali. Miraculously, as the Master set foot in the beleaguered city, torrential rains ensued, cleansing the streets of the decaying corpses that haunted the land. The once-polluted atmosphere underwent a profound purification, and Vesali was restored to cleanliness and serenity.

The Birth of the Jewel Discourse

In the wake of this divine intervention, the Buddha imparted a discourse known as the “Jewel Discourse” or Ratana Sutta to Venerable Ananda. This discourse, akin to a precious jewel, would serve as a powerful talisman against the adversities plaguing Vesali. The Buddha further instructed Ananda on the solemn duty of touring the city alongside Licchavi citizens, reciting the discourse as a protective incantation.

The Purification Ritual

Following the Buddha’s guidance, Venerable Ananda embarked on a sacred mission. Armed with the sanctified water from the Buddha’s own alms bowl, he toured Vesali, sprinkling the holy water and reciting the Jewel Discourse. The spiritual potency of this ritual was transformative — malevolent spirits were exorcised, and the pestilence that had gripped the city began to subside.

Return to Enlightenment

The triumphant return of Venerable Ananda, accompanied by the now-protected citizens of Vesali, marked a turning point. The public hall, where the Buddha and his disciples eagerly awaited their arrival, became the stage for a collective recitation of the Jewel Discourse. The Buddha himself, in a moment of profound unity, reiterated the discourse to the assembled gathering.

Ratana Sutta

Yānīdha bhūtāni samāgatāni
Bhummāni vā yā niva antaḷikkhe
Sabbeva bhūtā sumanā bhavantu
Athopi sakkacca sunantu bhāsitaṁ
Whatever beings are assembled here, whether on the earth or in the sky, may
all these beings have happy minds. Listen closely to my words.
Tasmā hi bhūtā nisāmetha sabbe
Mettaṁ karotha mānusiyā pajāya
Divā ca ratto ca haranti ye baliṁ
Tasmā hi ne rakkhatha appamattā
Pay attention all you beings. Show kindness to those humans
who, by day and by night, offer much merit to you.
Therefore, guard them diligently.
Yaṁ kiñci vittaṁ idha vā huraṁ vā
Saggesu vā yaṁ ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Na no samaṁ atthi Tathāgatena
Idampi Buddhe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
Whatever treasure in this world or in other worlds; or whatever precious jewel
is in the heavens, none is equal to the Buddha. In the Buddha is this precious
jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!
Khayaṁ virāgaṁ amataṁ paṇītaṁ
Yadajjhagā Sakyamunī samāhito
Na tena Dhammena samatthi kiñci
Idampi Dhamme ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
The calm Sakyan Sage found the undefiled, dispassionate, deathless, Nibbāna;
there is nothing equal to that state. In the Dhamma is this precious jewel.
By this truth may there be well-being!
Yaṁ Buddhaseṭṭho parivaṇṇayī suciṁ
Samādi-mānantarik-añña-māhu
Samādhinā tena samo na vijjati
Idampi Dhamme ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
That pure concentration praised by the Buddha is called the Samādhi,
unattached anywhere; that has no equal. In the Dhamma is this precious jewel.
By this truth may there be well-being!
Ye puggalā aṭṭha sataṁ pasatthā
Cattāri etāni yugāni honti
Te dakkhiṇeyyā Sugatassa sāvakā
Etesu dinnāni mahapphalāni
Idampi Saṅghe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
The Eight Persons praised by the wise, these Four Pairs are the giftworthy
disciples of the Well-Gone One. Gifts given to them yield
abundant fruit. In the Saṅgha is this precious jewel.
By this truth may there be well-being!
Ye suppayuttā manasā daḷhena
Nikkāmino Gotama sāsanamhi
Te pattipattā amataṁ vigayha
Laddhā mudhā nibbutiṁ bhuñjamānā
Idampi Saṅghe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
Those who are well trained, freed from all defilements, and with minds firm in
Gotama Buddha’s training, upon attaining Nibbāna, they plunge into the
Deathless, freely enjoying the liberation they have gained. In the Saṅgha is this
precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!
Yathindakhīlo paṭhaviṁsito siyā
Catubbhi vātebhi asampakampiyo
Tathūpamaṁ sappurisaṁ vadāmi
Yo ariyasaccāni avecca passati
Idampi Saṅghe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
As a stone post firmly grounded in the earth, cannot be shaken by the four
winds, so is the superior person, I say, who clearly sees the Noble Truths. In
the Saṅgha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!
Ye ariyasaccāni vibhāvayanti
Gambhīrapaññena sudesitāni
Kiñcāpi te honti bhusappamattā
Na te bhavaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ ādiyanti
Idam’pi Saṅghe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
Those who comprehend the Noble Truths, well taught by the Buddha of deep
wisdom, no matter how negligent, would not take an eighth existence. In the
Saṅgha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!
Sahāva’ssa dassana sampadāya
Tayassu dhammā jahitā bhavanti
Sakkāyadiṭṭhi vicikicchitañ ca
Sīlabbataṁvā’pi yadatthi kiñci
Catūhapāyehi ca vippamutto,
Cha cābhiṭhānāni abhabbo kātuṁ
Idampi Saṅghe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
For one who has attained to right view, three fetters are at once
abandoned: self-centred view, doubt and clinging to wrong practices.
Freed from the four planes of misery, he is incapable of committing the six
major wrong-doings that lead to hell. In the Saṅgha is this precious jewel.
By this truth may there be well-being!
Kiñcā’pi so kammaṁ karoti pāpakaṁ
Kāyena vācā uda cetasā vā
Abhabbo so tassa paṭicchādāya
Abhabbatā diṭṭha padassa vuttā
Idampi Saṅghe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
Though he might do some evil deed by body, speech or mind, he cannot hide
it; such is impossible for one who has seen the Dhamma. In the Saṅgha is this
precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!
Vanappagumbe yathā phussitagge
Gimhānamāse paṭhamasmiṁ gimhe
Tathūpamaṁ Dhamma varaṁ adesayi
Nibbāṇagāmiṁ paramaṁ hitāya
Idampi Buddhe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
Like woodland groves in blossom in the first heat of summer, the sublime
Dhamma taught by the Buddha leads to Nibbāna, offering the highest
happiness. In the Buddha is this precious jewel. By this truth may there be
well-being!
Varo varaññū varado varāharo
Anuttaro Dhamma varaṁ adesayi
Idampi Buddhe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
The excellent Supreme Buddha, the knower of Supreme Nibbāna, the giver of
Supreme Nibbāna, the bringer of Supreme Nibbāna, taught the excellent
Dhamma. In the Buddha is this precious jewel.
By this truth may there be well-being!
Khīṇaṁ purāṇaṁ navaṁ natthi sambhavaṁ
virattacittā āyatike bhavasmiṁ
Te khīṇabījā avirūḷhicchandā
Nibbanti dhīrā yathāyaṁ padīpo
Idampi Saṅghe ratanaṁ paṇītaṁ,
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
The Liberated Ones’ old kamma is destroyed with no new arising, their minds
not drawn to future birth. Their old seeds destroyed with no more growing. The
Arahants fade away, much like the flame of this lamp. In the Saṅgha is this
precious jewel. By this truth may there be well-being!
Yānīdha bhūtāni samāgatāni
Bhummāni vā yāniva antaḷikkhe
Tathāgataṁ devamanussa pūjitaṁ
Buddhaṁ namassāma suvatthi hotu
Whatever beings are assembled here, whether on the earth or in the sky, we
respectfully worship the Buddha, honored by gods and humans.
May there be well-being!
Yānīdha bhūtāni samāgatāni
Bhummāni vā yāniva antaḷikkhe
Tathāgataṁ devamanussa pūjitaṁ
Dhammaṁ namassāma suvatthi hotu
Whatever beings are assembled here, whether on the earth or in the sky, we
respectfully worship the Dhamma, honored by gods and humans.
May there be well-being!
Yānīdha bhūtāni samāgatāni
Bhummāni vā yāniva antaḷikkhe
Tathāgataṁ devamanussa pūjitaṁ
Saṅghaṁ namassāma suvatthi hotu
Whatever beings are assembled here, whether on the earth or in the sky,
we respectfully worship the Saṅgha, honored by gods and humans.
May there be well-being!
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu!
By this truth, may there be well-being!