Evening chanting
Buddhābhigīti — verses in praise of the Buddha
BuddhābhigītiVerses in praise of the Buddha chanted after the recollection, ending with an admission of any offence given.
Evening chanting
Recollection of the Dhamma
Dhammānussati
A short chant reviewing six qualities of the Dhamma, from being well proclaimed to being known for oneself.
When it is chanted
Chanted after the Buddhābhigīti, as the second of the three recollections in evening chanting.
It is very short, well under a minute, but many people like to chant it slowly more than once and stop to consider each phrase.
Background
The six qualities of the Dhamma here come from the canonical wording. Each one describes a teaching that can be checked.
Sandiṭṭhiko: the one who practises sees the result themselves. Akāliko: not dependent on time, nothing to wait for. Ehipassiko: it can afford to invite you to come and look. Opanayiko: worth bringing into your own mind and trying. Paccattaṃ veditabbo viññūhi: each person has to know it for themselves; it cannot be handed over.
Taken together they read as an invitation to test rather than an order to believe, which is one reason people like to chant this before sitting in meditation.
Pali
- Handa mayaṃ dhammānussatinayaṃ karoma se Come, let us recollect the Dhamma.
- Svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo The Dhamma is well proclaimed by the Blessed One,
- Sandiṭṭhiko akāliko ehipassiko visible here and now, timeless, inviting one to come and see,
- Opanayiko paccattaṃ veditabbo viññūhīti leading onwards, to be known for oneself by the wise.
Where it comes from in the Tipiṭaka
Click to read the actual page it refers to
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