The Jewel Discourse (KP6)

“Whatever beings (non-humans) are assembled here, terrestrial or celestial, may they all have peace of mind, and may they listen attentively to these words:

“O beings, listen closely. May you all radiate loving-kindness to those human beings who, by day and night, bring offerings to you (offer merit to you). Wherefore, protect them with diligence.

“Whatever treasure there be either in the world beyond, whatever precious jewel there be in the heavenly worlds, there is nought comparable to the Tathagata (the perfect One). This precious jewel is the Buddha. By this asseveration of the truth may there be happiness.

“That Cessation, that Detachment, that Deathlessness (Nibbana) supreme, the calm and collected Sakyan Sage (the Buddha) had realized. There is nought comparable to this (Nibbana) Dhamma. This precious jewel is the Dhamma. By this asseveration of the truth may there be happiness.

“The Supreme Buddha extolled a path of purity (the Noble Eightfold Path) calling it the path which unfailingly brings concentration. There is nought comparable to this concentration. This precious jewel is the Dhamma. By this asseveration of the truth may there be happiness.

“The eight persons extolled by virtuous men constitute four pairs. They are the disciples of the Buddha and are worthy of offerings. Gifts given to them yield rich results. This precious jewel is the Sangha. By this asseveration of the truth may there be happiness.

“With a steadfast mind, and applying themselves well in the dispensation of the Buddha Gotama, free from defilements, they have attained to that which should be attained (arahantship) encountering the Deathless. They enjoy the Peace of Nibbana freely obtained. This precious jewel is the Sangha. By this asseveration of the truth may there be happiness.

“As a post deep-planted in the earth stands unshaken by the winds from the four quarters, so, too, I declare is the righteous man who comprehends with wisdom the Noble Truths. This precious jewel is the Sangha. By this asseveration of the truth may there be happiness.

“Those who realized the Noble Truths well taught by him who is profound in wisdom (the Buddha), even though they may be exceedingly heedless, they will not take an eighth existence in the realm of sense spheres. This precious jewel is the Sangha. By this asseveration of the truth may there be happiness.

“With his gaining of insight he abandons three states of mind, namely self-illusion, doubt, and indulgence in meaningless rites and rituals, should there be any. He is also fully freed from the four states of woe, and therefore, incapable of committing the six major wrongdoings. This precious jewel is the Sangha. By this asseveration of the truth may there be happiness.

“Any evil action he may still do by deed, word or thought, he is incapable of concealing it; since it has been proclaimed that such concealing is impossible for one who has seen the Path of Nibbana. This precious jewel is the Sangha. By this asseveration of the truth may there be happiness.

“As the woodland groves though in the early heat of the summer month are crowned with blossoming flowers even so is the sublime Dhamma leading to the calm of Nibbana which is taught by the Buddha for the highest good. This precious jewel is the Buddha. By this asseveration of the truth may there be happiness.

“The Peerless Excellent one (the Buddha) the Knower of Nibbana, the Giver of Nibbana, the Bringer of the Noble Path, taught the excellent Dhamma. This precious jewel is the Buddha. By this asseveration of the truth may there be happiness.

“Their past kamma is spent, their new kamma no more arises, their mind to future becoming is unattached. Their germ of rebirth-consciousness has died, they have no more desire for re-living. Those wise men fade out of existence as the flame of this lamp which has just faded away. This precious jewel is the Sangha. By this asseveration of the truth may there be happiness.

“Whatever beings (non-human) are assembled here, terrestrial or celestial, come let us salute the Buddha, the Tathagata (the perfect One), honored by gods and men. May there be happiness.

“Whatever beings are assembled here terrestrial or celestial, come let us salute the perfect Dhamma, honored by gods and men. May there be happiness

“Whatever beings are assembled here terrestrial or celestial, come let us salute the perfect Sangha, honored by gods and men. May there be happiness.”

Translated by Piyadassi Thera.

From The Book of Protection, translated by Piyadassi Thera (Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1999). Copyright © 1999 Buddhist Publication Society.

This text was sourced from Access to Insight. The original contained the following notice.

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