Evening chanting
Recollection of the Dhamma
DhammānussatiA short chant reviewing six qualities of the Dhamma, from being well proclaimed to being known for oneself.
Evening chanting
Dhammābhigīti — verses in praise of the Dhamma
Dhammābhigīti
Verses praising the Dhamma as the dispeller of darkness and a safe refuge, closing with an admission of fault.
When it is chanted
Chanted immediately after the recollection of the Dhamma; the two go together in evening chanting.
The last four lines admit any fault towards the Dhamma. Traditionally people bow low while chanting them.
Background
Like the Buddhābhigīti, these verses were composed later, and they follow exactly the same shape, line for line, with the Dhamma in place of the Buddha.
The phrase divided into path, fruit, learning and liberation means that the Dhamma praised here covers the practice, the result of the practice, the teaching people study, and freedom itself — not just the words in the books.
The image of the Dhamma holding up those who hold to it is a play on the Pali: dhamma can mean that which holds. Whoever keeps the Dhamma is kept by it.
Pali
- Handa mayaṃ dhammābhigītiṃ karoma se Come, let us chant in praise of the Dhamma.
- Svākkhātatādiguṇayogavasena seyyo The Dhamma is supreme through qualities such as being well proclaimed,
- Yo maggapākapariyattivimokkhabhedo divided into path, fruit, learning and liberation,
- Dhammo kulokapatanā tadadhāridhārī and it holds up those who hold to it, keeping them from falling into harm.
- Vandāmahaṃ tamaharaṃ varadhammametaṃ I bow to that excellent Dhamma, the dispeller of darkness.
- Dhammo yo sabbapāṇīnaṃ saraṇaṃ khemamuttamaṃ The Dhamma is the safe and supreme refuge of all living beings.
- Dutiyānussatiṭṭhānaṃ vandāmi taṃ sirenahaṃ It is the second ground of recollection; with my head I bow to it.
- Dhammassāhasmi dāso va dhammo me sāmikissaro I am the Dhamma's servant; the Dhamma is my master and guide.
- Dhammo dukkhassa ghātā ca vidhātā ca hitassa me The Dhamma destroys suffering and brings about my welfare.
- Dhammassāhaṃ niyyādemi sarīrañjīvitañcidaṃ To the Dhamma I dedicate this body and this life.
- Vandantohaṃ carissāmi dhammasseva sudhammataṃ I will live paying homage to the excellence of the Dhamma.
- Natthi me saraṇaṃ aññaṃ dhammo me saraṇaṃ varaṃ I have no other refuge; the Dhamma is my excellent refuge.
- Etena saccavajjena vaḍḍheyyaṃ satthu sāsane By the speaking of this truth, may I grow in the Teacher's dispensation.
- Dhammaṃ me vandamānena yaṃ puññaṃ pasutaṃ idha Whatever merit I have gained here by honouring the Dhamma,
- Sabbepi antarāyā me māhesuṃ tassa tejasā by the strength of that merit, may no obstacles come to me.
- Kāyena vācāya va cetasā vā By body, by speech, or by mind,
- Dhamme kukammaṃ pakataṃ mayā yaṃ whatever wrong I have done towards the Dhamma,
- Dhammo paṭiggaṇhatu accayantaṃ may the Dhamma receive my admission of that fault,
- Kālantare saṃvarituṃ va dhamme so that in future I may be restrained towards the Dhamma.
Where it comes from in the Tipiṭaka
Click to read the actual page it refers to
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