RATANA SUTTA

BACKGROUND STORY

The city of Vesali was afflicted by a famine, causing death, especially to the poor folks. Due
to the presence of decaying corpses the evil spirits began to haunt the city; this was followed
by a pestilence. Plagued by these three fears of famine, non-human beings and pestilence,
the citizens sought the help of the Buddha who was then living at Rajagaha.

Followed by a large number of monks including the Venerable Ananda, his attendant
disciple, the Buddha came to the city of Vesali. With the arrival of the Buddha, there were
torrential rains which swept away the putrefying corpses. The atmosphere became
purified, the city was clean.

Thereupon the Buddha delivered this Discourse on the Jewels (Ratana Sutta) to the
Venerable Ananda, and gave him instructions as to how he should tour the city with the
Licchavi citizens reciting the discourse as a mark of protection to the people of Vesali. The
Venerable Ananda followed the instructions, and sprinkled the sanctified water from the
Buddha’s own alms bowl. As a consequence, the evil spirits were exorcised, the pestilence
subsided. Thereafter the Venerable Ananda returned with the citizens of Vesali to the
Public Hall where the Buddha and his disciples had assembled awaiting his arrival. There
the Buddha recited the same Discourse on the Jewels to the gathering.
 RATANA SUTTA
Yānīdha bhūtāni samāgatāni Sahāvassa dassana sampadāya
Bhummāni vā yāni va antalikkhe Tayassu dhammā jahitā bhavanti
Sabbeva bhūtā sumanā bhavantu Sakkāyaditthi vicikicchitañ ca
Atho pi sakkacca sunantu bhāsitam Sīlabbatam vāpi yadatthi kiñci
Catūhapāyehi ca vippamutto
Tasmā hi bhūtā nisāmetha sabbe
Cha cābhithānāni abhabbo kātum
Mettam karotha mānusiyā pajāya
Idam pi sanghe ratanam panītam
Divā ca ratto ca haranti ye balim
Etena saccena suvatti hotu
Tasmā hi ne rakkhatha appamattā
Kiñcāpi so kammam karoti pāpakam
Yam kiñci vittam idha vā huram vā
Kāyena vācā uda cetasā vā
Saggesu vā yam ratanam panītam
Abhabbo so tassa paticchādāya
Na no samam atthi tathāgatena
Abhabbatā ditthapadassa vuttā
Idam pi Buddhe ratanam panītam
Idam pi sanghe ratanam panītam
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
Khayam virāgam amatam panītam
Vanappagumbe yathā phussitagge
Yadajjhagā sakyamuni samāhito
Gimhānamāse pathamasmim gimhe
Na tena dhammena sam’atthi kiñci
Tathūpamam dhammavaram adesayi
Idam pi dhamme ratanam panītam
Nibbānagāmim paramam hitāya
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
Idam pi Buddhe ratanam panītam
Yam buddhasettho parivannayi sucim Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
Samādhi-mānantari-kañña-māhu
Varo varaññū varado varāharo
Samādhinā tena samo na vijjati
Anuttaro dhammavaram adesayi
Idam pi dhamme ratanam panītam
Idam pi Buddhe ratanam panītam
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
Ye puggalā attha satam pasatthā
Khīnam purānam
Cattāri etāni yugāni honti
navam natthi sambhavam
Te dakkhineyyā sugatassa sāvakā
Viratta cittā āyatike bhavasmim
Etesu dinnāni mahapphalāni
Te khīnabījā avirūlhicchandā
Idam pi sanghe ratanam panītam
Nibbanti dhīrā yathā’yam padīpo
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
Idam pi sanghe ratanam panītam
Ye suppayuttā manasā dalhena Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
Nikkāmino gotama sāsanamhi
Yānīdha bhūtāni samāgatāni
Te pattipattā amatam vigayha
Bhummāni vā yāni va antalikkhe
Laddhā mudhā nibbutim bhuñjamānā
Tathāgatam devamanussa-pūjitam
Idam pi sanghe ratanam panītam
Buddham namassāma suvatthi hotu
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
Yānīdha bhūtāni samāgatāni
Yathindakhīlo pathavim sito siyā
Bhummāni vā yāni va antalikkhe
Catubbhi vātehi asampakampiyo
Tathāgatam devamanussa-pūjitam
Tathūpamam sappurisam vadāmi
Dhammam namassāma suvatthi hotu
Yo ariyasaccāni avecca passati
Idam pi sanghe ratanam panītam Yānīdha bhūtāni samāgatāni
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu Bhummāni vā yāni va antalikkhe
Tathāgatam devamanussa-pūjitam
Ye ariyasaccāni vibhāvayanti
Sangham namassāma suvatthi hotu
Gambhīrapaññena sudesitāni
Kiñcāpi te honti bhusappamattā
Na te bhavam atthamam ādiyanti
Idam pi sanghe ratanam panītam
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu
 DISCOURSE ON THE JEWELS
Whatever beings that are here assembled,
whether terrestrial or celestial,
may every being be happy and joyful!
And also, listen attentively to my words.

Listen here, all beings!

Shower your loving-kindness to those humans who,
day and night, bring offerings to you.
Therefore, guard them diligently.

Whatever treasures there may be,

either here or in the world beyond,
or whatever precious jewels there are in the heavens;
yet none is comparable to the Enlightened One.
In the Buddha is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

The tranquil Sage of the Sakyas

realized cessation, freedom from passion,
deathlessness and excellence.
There is nothing comparable to this Dhamma.
In the Dhamma is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

That pure concentration the Supreme Buddha praised is described as

‘concentration without interruption’.
There is nothing like that concentration.
In the Dhamma is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!
Those eight individuals constituting four pairs,
they are praised by those at peace.
They, worthy of offerings, are the disciples of the Enlightened One,
Gifts given to them yield abundant fruit.
In the Sangha is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

With steadfast mind, applying themselves

thoroughly in the Dispensation of Gotama,
free of passion, they have attained to that which should be attained.
And plunging into deathlessness,
they enjoyed the Peace (Nibbāna) in absolute freedom.
In the Sangha is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

Just as a firm post sunk in the earth

cannot be shaken by the four winds;
I say that a righteous person who
thoroughly perceives the Noble Truths is similar to that.
In the Sangha is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!
 DISCOURSE ON THE JEWELS
Those who clearly understand the Noble Truths,
well taught by Him who has profound wisdom,
do not undergo an eighth birth,
no matter how exceedingly heedless they may be.
In the Sangha is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

Together with his attainment of insight,

three qualities have been abandoned (by him), namely:
wrong belief in selfhood, doubt and dependence
on rites and ceremonies.
He is absolutely freed from the four states of misery,
and is incapable of committing the six major wrong doings.
In the Sangha is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

He is incapable of hiding whatever evil he does,

whether by deed, word or thought;
for it has been said that such an act is
impossible for one who has seen the Path.
In the Sangha is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

Just like a forest crown in full blossom,

in the first month of the summer season,
so has the sublime doctrine that leads to Nibbāna been taught
for the highest good (of beings).
In the Buddha is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

The peerless Excellent One, the Knower, the Giver,

the Bringer of the Excellent, has expounded the sublime doctrine.
In the Buddha is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

Their past is extinct, a new becoming there is not,

their minds are not attached to a future birth, their desires do not grow;
those wise ones with their seeds of becoming destroyed,
go out even as this lamp does.
In the Sangha is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!
[ Sakka’s exultation: ]
We beings that are here assembled, whether terrestrial or celestial,
salute the Accomplished Buddha, who is honoured by gods and men.
May there be well-being!

We beings that are here assembled, whether terrestrial or celestial,

salute the Enlightening Dhamma, which is honoured by gods and men.
May there be well-being!

We beings that are here assembled, whether terrestrial or celestial,

salute the Noble Sangha, who are honoured by gods and men.
May there be well-being!
 RATANA SUTTA

Verse 1
Yānīdha bhūtāni samāgatāni Whatever beings that are here assembled,
Bhummāni vā yāni va antalikkhe whether terrestrial or celestial,
Sabbeva bhūtā sumanā bhavantu may every being be happy and joyful!
Atho pi sakkacca sunantu bhāsitam And also, listen attentively to my words.

Meaning
Yāni whatever
idha here
bhūtāni beings
samāgatāni assembled, gathered
bhummāni native to earth, earth-bound, terrestrial
vā or
yāni va or whatever (beings)
antalikkhe sky-bound, heavenly, celestial
sabbe all, everyone, no exclusion
eva each one [ used here for emphasis ]
bhūtā beings
sumanā bhavantu have peace of mind, become happy and joyful
atho pi and also, moreover
sakkacca attentively, heedfully
sunantu listen
bhāsitam to (my) words
 RATANA SUTTA

Verse 2
Tasmā hi bhūtā nisāmetha sabbe Listen here, all beings!
Mettam karotha mānusiyā pajāya Shower your loving-kindness to those humans who,
Divā ca ratto ca haranti ye balim day and night, bring offerings to you.
Tasmā hi ne rakkhatha appamattā Therefore, guard them diligently.

Meaning
Tasmā Therefore
bhūtā beings
nisāmetha give attention
sabbe all-round
mettam (having) loving-kindness
karotha work (towards)
mānusiyā pajāya (for) human race, human beings
divā (ca) by day (and)
ratto by night
(ye) haranti (they) bring
balim offerings (to the deities)
ne them (i.e. those human beings)
rakkhatha protect
appamattā with diligence
 RATANA SUTTA

Verse 3
Yam kiñci vittam idha vā huram vā Whatever treasures there may be, either here or
Saggesu vā yam ratanam panītam in the world beyond, or whatever precious jewels
Na no samam atthi tathāgatena there are in the heavens;
Idam pi Buddhe ratanam panītam yet none is comparable to the Enlightened One.
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu In the Buddha is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

Meaning
Yam kiñci Whatever … is found
vittam prized, treasure, highly valued
idha (vā) here (or)
huram beyond
saggesu (vā) (or) in the heavens
ratanam jewels
panītam superior, supreme, best, rare
na no samam none (is) equal/comparable (to)
atthi is
tathāgatena the Perfect One, the Enlightened One
idam pi this
Buddhe Enlightened One
ratanam panītam supreme jewel (i.e. the Buddha)
etena saccena by this truth
suvatthi hotu may there be safety/happiness /well-being
 RATANA SUTTA

Verse 4
Khayam virāgam amatam panītam The tranquil Sage of the Sakyas
Yadajjhagā sakyamuni samāhito realized cessation, freedom from passion,
Na tena dhammena sam’atthi kiñci deathlessness and excellence.
Idam pi dhamme ratanam panītam There is nothing comparable to this Dhamma.
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu In the Dhamma is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

Meaning
Khayam cessation, extinction, exhaustion (of defilements)
virāgam dispassion, free from passions
amatam deathless
panītam excellent
Yad…ajjhagā such … found
ajjhagā realized, attained
sakyamuni the Sakyan Sage (i.e. the Buddha)
samāhito in concentration, thus achieving tranquility
Na no
tena dhammena with this Dhamma
sam’atthi is equal (to)
kiñci at all
dhamme the teachings of the Enlightened One
 RATANA SUTTA

Verse 5
Yam buddhasettho parivannayi sucim That pure concentration the
Samādhi-mānantari-kañña-māhu Supreme Buddha praised is described as
Samādhinā tena samo na vijjati ‘concentration without interruption’.
Idam pi dhamme ratanam panītam There is nothing like that concentration.
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu In the Dhamma is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

Meaning
buddha The Enlightened One
settho highest, supreme
Buddhasettho the Supreme Buddha
yam…parivannayi such … praised
sucim pureness, purity, stainless
samādhim concentration
ānantarikaññam without interval/ interruption
āhu they describe / said
tena samādhinā with that concentration
samo similar
na vijjati there is none
 RATANA SUTTA

Verse 6
Ye puggalā attha satam pasatthā Those eight individuals constituting four pairs,
Cattāri etāni yugāni honti they are praised by those at peace.
Te dakkhineyyā sugatassa sāvakā They, worthy of offerings, are the disciples of the
Etesu dinnāni mahapphalāni Enlightened One,
Idam pi sanghe ratanam panītam Gifts given to them yield abundant fruit.
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu In the Sangha is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

Meaning
Ye Whom [an indefinite indication]
puggalā persons
attha eight
satam those (who are) at peace (of mind)
pasatthā praised
Cattāri four
etāni honti which are
yugāni pairs
Te They (i.e. these four pairs or eight persons)
dakkhineyyā merit offerings
sugatassa the Blessed One’s
sāvakā disciples
Etesu whatever (gifts)
dinnāni given to (them)
mahapphalāni (reaps) great fruits
sanghe community (of Blessed One’s disciples)
 RATANA SUTTA

Verse 7
Ye suppayuttā manasā dalhena With steadfast mind, applying themselves
Nikkāmino gotama sāsanamhi thoroughly in the Dispensation of Gotama,
Te pattipattā amatam vigayha free of passion, they have attained to that
Laddhā mudhā nibbutim bhuñjamānā which should be attained.
Idam pi sanghe ratanam panītam And plunging into deathlessness,
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu they enjoyed the Peace (Nibbāna) in absolute freedom.
In the Sangha is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

Meaning
Ye They (here referring to Arahants)
suppayuttā applied themselves thoroughly (to the practice)
manasā mind
dalhena (with) strong/firm, steadfast
nikkāmino without craving
gotama sāsanamhi (in) Gotama’s dispensation
pattipattā have attained their goals
amatam the deathless state (i.e. Nibbāna)
vigayha having encountered, entered
laddhā gained
mudhā without expense
nibbutim peace
bhuñjamānā experiencing, savouring
 RATANA SUTTA

Verse 8
Yathindakhīlo pathavim sito siyā Just as a firm post sunk in the earth
Catubbhi vātehi asampakampiyo cannot be shaken by the four winds;
Tathūpamam sappurisam vadāmi I say that a righteous person who
Yo ariyasaccāni avecca passati thoroughly perceives the Noble Truths is similar to that.
Idam pi sanghe ratanam panītam In the Sangha is this precious jewel found.
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

Meaning
Yatha just like; as
indakhīlo a locking-post, strong pillar
pathavim the earth, ground
sito deeply planted (in)
siyā [ Alternative form of ‘bhaveyya’ ] would be
catubbhi four (directions)
vātehi by wind
asampakampiyo unshaken, incapable of being shaken
tathūpamam so too indeed, similar to that
sappurisam the True man, righteous person
vadāmi I say, I declare
yo avecca who thoroughly
ariyasaccāni noble truths
passati perceive
 RATANA SUTTA

Verse 9
Ye ariyasaccāni vibhāvayanti Those who clearly understand the Noble Truths,
Gambhīrapaññena sudesitāni well taught by Him who has profound wisdom,
Kiñcāpi te honti bhusappamattā do not undergo an eighth birth,
Na te bhavam atthamam ādiyanti no matter how exceedingly heedless they may be.
Idam pi sanghe ratanam panītam In the Sangha is this precious jewel found.
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

Meaning
Ye such
ariyasaccāni Noble truths
vibhāvayanti clearly comprehended; clearly evidenced
Gambhīrapaññena By him who has profound wisdom
sudesitāni well taught
Kiñcāpi however
te they
bhusa much
pamattā heedless
bhavam rebirth, existence
atthamam an eighth
na…ādiyanti do not take
 RATANA SUTTA

Verse 10
Sahāvassa dassana sampadāya Together with his attainment of insight,
Tayassu dhammā jahitā bhavanti three qualities have been abandoned (by him), namely:
Sakkāyaditthi vicikicchitañ ca wrong belief in selfhood, doubt and dependence
Sīlabbatam vāpi yadatthi kiñci on rites and ceremonies.
Catūhapāyehi ca vippamutto He is absolutely freed from the four states of misery,
Cha cābhithānāni abhabbo kātum and is incapable of committing the six major
Idam pi sanghe ratanam panītam wrong doings.
Etena saccena suvatti hotu In the Sangha is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

Meaning
Sahāva Together with
assa his (referring to a Sotāpanna)
dassana insight
sampadāya attainment (of)
tayassu there
dhammā [ plural ] states
jahitā abandoned
bhavanti are
sakkāyaditthi wrong view of ‘selfhood’
vicikicchitañ skeptical doubt
sīlabbatam (belief in) vows, religious rites, rituals
vāpi and also
yadatthi kiñci all, of whatever kind there are
catūhapāyehi from the four woeful states
vippamutto (he is) free from
cha six
ābhithānāni major wrong doings
abhabbo (ca) (and) is incapable of
kātum do, commit
 RATANA SUTTA

Verse 11
Kiñcāpi so kammam karoti pāpakam He is incapable of hiding whatever evil he does,
Kāyena vācā uda cetasā vā whether by deed, word or thought;
Abhabbo so tassa paticchādāya for it has been said that such an act is
Abhabbatā ditthapadassa vuttā impossible for one who has seen the Path.
Idam pi sanghe ratanam panītam In the Sangha is this precious jewel found.
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

Meaning
Kiñcāpi whatever
so he
kammam deed
karoti do, commit
pāpakam evil, unwholesome
kāyena by body
vācā by speech
cetasā by mind (i.e. through thoughts)
abhabbo incapable
tassa that (evil deed)
paticchādāya hiding, concealing
abhabbatā this incapability (to conceal evil)
ditthapadassa one who has seen the Path
vuttā is said to be
 RATANA SUTTA

Verse 12
Vanappagumbe yathā phussitagge Just like a forest crown in full blossom,
Gimhānamāse pathamasmim gimhe in the first month of the summer season,
Tathūpamam dhammavaram adesayi so has the sublime doctrine
Nibbānagāmim paramam hitāya that leads to Nibbāna been taught for the
Idam pi Buddhe ratanam panītam highest good (of beings).
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu In the Buddha is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

Meaning
Vanappagumbe forest grove
yathā just like
phussitagge fully blossomed
gimhānamāse during the summer month
pathamasmim first
early summer i.e. April
gimhe heat (of summer)
tathūpamam such as
dhammavaram the sublime Dhamma
adesayi taught
Nibbānagamim that leads to Nibbāna
paramam highest
hitāya benefit (for beings)
 RATANA SUTTA

Verse 13
Varo varaññū varado varāharo The peerless Excellent One, the Knower, the Giver,
Anuttaro dhammavaram adesayi the Bringer of the Excellent, has expounded the
Idam pi Buddhe ratanam panītam sublime doctrine.
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu In the Buddha is this precious jewel found.
On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

Meaning
Varo Glorious one, excellent one
varaññū the knower of what is excellent (i.e. Nibbāna)
varado the giver of that excellent state
varāharo the bringer of that excellent state
anuttaro incomparable, peerless
dhammavaram the sublime dhamma
adesayi taught, expounded
 RATANA SUTTA

Verse 14
Khīnam purānam Their past is extinct, a new becoming there is not,
navam natthi sambhavam their minds are not attached to a future birth,
Viratta cittā āyatike bhavasmim their desires do not grow;
Te khīnabījā avirūlhicchandā those wise ones with their seeds of becoming destroyed,
Nibbanti dhīrā yathā’yam padīpo go out even as this lamp does.
Idam pi sanghe ratanam panītam In the Sangha is this precious jewel found.
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu On account of this truth, may there be well-being!

Meaning
Khīnam extinct, exhausted
purānam past (wholesome and unwholesome kamma)
navam new
natthi there is not
sambhavam becoming, arising
viratta not attached
cittā mind
āyatike to future
bhavasmim rebirth, existence
khīnabījā seed (of becoming) is destroyed
avirūlhicchandā (their) desires do not grow
nibbanti are extinguished
dhīrā wise ones
yathā’yam just like this
padīpo lamp
 RATANA SUTTA

Verse 15
[ Sakka’s exultation: ]
Yānīdha bhūtāni samāgatāni We beings that are here assembled,
Bhummāni vā yāni va antalikkhe whether terrestrial or celestial,
Tathāgatam devamanussa-pūjitam salute the Accomplished Buddha,
Buddham namassāma suvatthi hotu who is honoured by gods and men.
May there be well-being!

Yānīdha bhūtāni samāgatāni We beings that are here assembled,

Bhummāni vā yāni va antalikkhe whether terrestrial or celestial,
Tathāgatam devamanussa-pūjitam salute the Enlightening Dhamma,
Dhammam namassāma suvatthi hotu who is honoured by gods and men.
May there be well-being!

Yānīdha bhūtāni samāgatāni We beings that are here assembled,

Bhummāni vā yāni va antalikkhe whether terrestrial or celestial,
Tathāgatam devamanussa-pūjitam salute the Noble Sangha,
Sangham namassāma suvatthi hotu who is honoured by gods and men.
May there be well-being!

Meaning
Tathāgatam The Enlightened One, Accomplished One
deva gods, deities
manussa humans
pūjitam honoured, revered
namassāma salute, honour, reverence