A Thai Theravada Approach to “Invite” Buddhist Relics
Dedicated to Ruth Harding
Partially transliterated, translated, and compiled by E.T.Harding (Ven. Dhammagavesako)
There is a belief in Thailand that Buddhist Relics can spontaneously appear, multiple, and disappear by themselves. This guideline has been compiled for those interested in trying a Thai Theravada approach of “inviting” Buddhist Relics for their veneration and inspiration that their presence brings.
A warning, Relics are not common items to be bought or sold. They should not be trivialized, the same can be said for Buddha Images, Buddhist Amulets/Talismans, “Sak Yant” (Yantras tattooed), ….
For the benefit of those who do not know - some important points, do not point your feet at Relics or Buddha Images (do not step-sit on Yantras or let them be stepped-sit on). Do not keep Relics or Buddha Images/Talismans in low places (ex. trouser pockets) or where they can be stepped over.
Try to have an appropriate place (ex. high shelf) and housing (ex. “miniature stupas”) to worship them. Try not to handle Relics barehanded (dedicated spoons are usually used) and do not have intimate relations, in front of them, or with Buddhist Amulets/Talismans on (a separate room for worship and meditation is ideal).
This is regarded as common knowledge and practice in Thailand.
Procedure to Invite Buddhist Relics
1. Prepare the place of worship, make sure it is tidy and clean.
2. Prepare a pedestal tray with jasmine flowers at the place of worship (if you have any)
3. Prepare a bronze bowl with clean water in front of the place of worship (according to an ancient procedure)
4. Make sure you have cleansed yourself
5. Make your mind clear and concentrated
6. Uphold the precepts
7. Chant Recollections of the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha (“Namo”, “Itipiso, …”) at the worship area on a white cloth/cushion
8. Chant Relic veneration and invitational chants
at the worship area while sitting on a white cloth/cushion
Preliminary Homage to the Buddha
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-
sambuddhassa (x3)
Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Rightly Self-awakened One.
Going to Refuge in the Triple Gem
Buddhaṃ jīvitaṃ yāva nibbānaṃ sarāṇaṃ gacchāmi,
Dhammaṃ jīvitaṃ yāva nibbānaṃ sarāṇaṃ gacchāmi,
Saṅghaṃ jīvitaṃ yāva nibbānaṃ sarāṇaṃ gacchāmi,
(Dutiyampi…, Tatiyampi….)
I take refuge in the Buddha for life till Nibbanā,
I take refuge in the Dhamma for life till Nibbanā,
I take refuge in the Saṅgha for life till Nibbanā,
For a second time…, For a third time…
Recollection of the Buddha
Itipi so Bhagavā arahaṃ sammā-saṃbuddho, vijjā-caraṇa-saṃpanno sugato lokavidū, anuttaro purisa-damma-sārathi satthā devamanussānaṃ buddho bhagavāti.
He is a Blessed One, a Worthy One, a Rightly Self-Awakened One, consummate in knowledge & conduct, one who has gone the good way, knower of the cosmos, unexcelled trainer of those who can be taught, teacher of human & divine beings; awakened; blessed.
Recollection of the Dhamma
Svākkhāto Bhagavatā Dhammo, sandiṭṭhiko akāliko ehipassiko, opanayiko paccattaṃ veditabbo viññūhiti.
The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One, to be seen here & now, timeless, inviting all to come & see, leading inward, to be seen by the wise for themselves.
Recollection of the Saṅgha
Supaṭipanno Bhagavato sāvaka-Saṅgho, uju-paṭipanno Bhagavato sāvaka-Saṅgho, ñāya-paṭipanno Bhagavato sāvaka-Saṅgho, sāmīci-paṭipanno Bhagavato sāvaka-Saṅgho, yad-idaṁ, cattāri purisa-yugāni, aṭṭha purisa-puggalā, esa Bhagavato sāvaka-Saṅgho, āhuneyyo, pāhuneyyo, dakkhiṇeyyo, añjalikaranīyo, anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassati.
The Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples who have practiced well; The Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples who have practiced straightforwardly, The Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples who have practiced methodically, The Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples who have practiced masterfully, i.e., the four pairs - the eight pairs - of Noble Ones: That is the Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples - Worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of respect, The incomparable field of merit for the world.
Salutation to Buddhist Relics
Ahaṃ vandāmi dūrato,
ahaṃ vandāmi dhātuyo,
ahaṃ vandāmi sabbaso.
I revere from afar,
I revere the relics,
I revere them in every respect.
Crown of the Buddha Mantra
Itipiso vi-se-se-i i-se-se buddha-nā-me-i i-me-nā buddha-taṃ-so-i i-so-taṃ buddha-pi-ti-I.
Inviting Buddhist Relics
Ajjatagge pāṇupetaṃ buddhaṃ dhammaṃ saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gato assāmi mahantā bhinnamuggā(muttā) ca majjhimā bhinnatanḍulā khuddukasāsapamattā evaṃ dhātuyo sabbaṭṭhāne āgacchantu sīleme pattante.
From this day forth while my life lasts I go to the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha for refuge,
the large śarīra, the size of a green pea (pearl), the medium śarīra, the size of a grain of rice, the small śarīra, the size of a mustard seed.
Relics in all places may you come here.
Worship of Buddhist Relics
Itipiso bhagavā, namāmihaṃ taṃ bhagavantaṃ, parama-sārīrika-dhātuyā saddhiṃ, arahaṃ sammāsambuddho, vijjācaraṇasampanno, sugato, lokavidū, anuttaro purisadammasārathi, satthā deva manussānaṃ, buddho, bhagavāti.
He is a Blessed One, I pay homage to the Lord and his most excellent relics, he is a Worthy One, a Rightly Self-Awakened One, consummate in knowledge & conduct, one who has gone the good way, knower of the cosmos, unexcelled trainer of those who can be taught, teacher of human & divine beings; awakened; blessed.
Great Salutation
Vandāmi buddhaṃ sabbaṃ me dosaṃ khamatha me bhante,
vandāmi dhammaṃ sabbaṃ me dosaṃ khamatha me bhante,
vandāmi saṅghaṃ sabbaṃ me dosaṃ khamatha me bhante,
vandāmi garupajjhāyācariye sabbaṃ me dosaṃ khamatha me bhante,
vandāmi kammaṭṭhānaṃ sabbaṃ me dosaṃ khamatha me bhante,
vandāmi ārāme baddhasīmāyaṃ sabbaṃ me dosaṃ khamatha me bhante,
vandāmi cetiyaṃ sabbaṃ sabbaṭṭhāne
supatiṭṭhitā sarīradhātu mahābodhiṃ
buddharūpaṃ sakalaṃ sadā nāgaloke devaloke brahmaloke jambūdīpelaṅkādīpe sarīradhātuyo kesādhātuyo arahantādhātuyo cetiyaṃ gandhakuṭiṃ
caturāsītisahasse dhammakkhandhe sabbe taṃpādacetiyaṃ ahaṃ vandāmi sabbaso.
I revere the Buddha. Forgive me all my faults, Venerable Sir.
I revere the Dhamma. Forgive me all my faults, Venerable Sir.
I revere the Saṅgha. Forgive me all my faults, Venerable Sir.
I revere the Guru, Preceptor & Teachers. Forgive me all my faults, Venerable Sir.
I revere the practice of meditation. Forgive me all my faults, Venerable Sir.
I revere the consecrated ground in the monastery. Forgive me all my faults, Venerable Sir.
I revere every stupa established in every place, every relic of the Buddha’s body, every great Bodhi tree, every Buddha image, as well as worshiped and honored in the Nāga world, Deva world & Brahma world, in India & Sri Lanka; bodily relics, hair relics & relics of Arahats, stupas, scented shrine rooms, all 84,000 sections of the Dhamma and every footprint memorial, I revere all of them completely.
Small Salutation
Vandāmi bhante sabbaṃ aparādhaṃ khamatha me bhante mayā kataṃ puññaṃ sāminā anumoditabbaṃ sāminā kataṃ puññaṃ mayhaṃ dātabbaṃ sādhu sādhu anumodāmi.
I revere you, Venerable Sir. May you forgive all my offences, Venerable Sir. May Venerable Sir rejoice in the merit I have done and may I share in the merit Venerable Sir has made.
It is well, it is well, may I too rejoice.
Worship of Buddhist Relics
Ukāsa vandāmi bhante cetiyaṃ, sabbaṃ sabbatthaṭhāne, supatiṭṭhitaṃ
May I be excused Venerable Sir, I revere and honor every stupa established in every place,
Buddhasārīraṃgadhātuṃ mahābodhiṃ
buddharūpaṃ gandhakuṭiṃ caturāsītisahasse dhammakkhandhe
every relic of the Buddha, every great Bodhi tree, every Buddha image, every scented shrine room, all 84,000 sections of the Dhamma,
sabbe taṃpādacetiyaṃ sakkāratthaṃ
and every footprint memorial,
Ahaṃ vandāmi dhātuyo, ahaṃ vandāmi sabbaso, iccetaṃ ratana-tayaṃ, ahaṃ vandāmi sabbadā.
I revere the relics,
I revere them completely,
The Triple Gem I ever revere.
