This is a list of Buddhist chants that I learned on my path. We chant these at service on Sunday. The monks chant more but these are a few that everyone does. It is also common to bow down 3 times towards the image of the Buddha after finishing a chant. Chanting is done in a language called Poli and it is most of it is pronounced as it is spelled, however some things are different. If you are interested in learning how it is pronounced please visit your local temple. If you are not near a temple copy the names of the chants I shared with you and paste it in youtube. I hope this helps you on your journey.


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Vandana Chant (Homage Chant)

(In Poli)
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa (x3)

(In English)
Honour to the Blessed One, the Exalted One, the fully Enlightened One (x3)
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Tisarana Chant (The Three Refuges Chant)

(Poli and english translation below it)

Buddham saranam gacchami
I go to the Buddha as my refuge

Dhammam saranam gacchami
I go to the Dhamma as my refuge

Sangham saranam gacchami
I go to the Sangha as my refuge

Dutiyampi Buddham Saranam gacchami
For the second time, I go to the Buddha for my refuge

Dutiyampi Dhammam Saranam gacchami
For the second time, I go to the Dhamma for my refuge

Dutiyampi Sangham Saranam gacchami
For the second time, I go to the Sangha for my refuge

Tatiyampi Buddham Saranam gacchami
For the third time, I go to the Buddha for my refuge

Tatiyampi Dhammam Saranam gacchami
For the third time, I go to the Dhamma for my refuge

Tatiyampi Sangham Saranam gacchami
For the third time, I go to the Sangha for my refuge
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Pancca Sila Chant (The Five Precepts Chant)

Panatipata veramani sikkapadam samadiyami
I take the precept to abstain from killing

Addinnadana veramani sikkapadam samadiyami
I take the precept to abstain from taking that which is not given

Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I take the precept to abstain from sexual misconduct

Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I take the precept to abstain from false speech

Sura-meraya-majja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I take the precept to abstain from intoxicants
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Meditation is a great asset to Buddhist. It lets you slow down and look at yourself, your enviorment and the teaching of the Buddha.

Meditation can take a long time to master but it is worth it. We will discuss 2 types of meditation.

The first type is sitting meditation. Sit comfortablly. Legs cross, legs under you, legs infront of you. Just sit to where you are relaxed so that pain doesn't effect your meditation. (They make meditation pillows to sit on if you have the extra money and you plan to take meditation very seriously, invest in a set: http://www.yogaaccessories.com/Meditation-Kit_p_122651.html) The next part is a learning process. You want to sit there for 5 minutes and count your breaths to each 10. Count to 10 then start over. Do this over and over, slowly increasing the time you sit. Then do this for a few sessions untill you can do nothing but focus on counting your breaths. The idea is to clear your mind except for the one thought of the counting. All other distractions should go away, noise, worries, daydreams, thoughts, should be gone you should just hear yourself counting in your head. Next you will do the same thing but stop counting this time around. Just focus on your breaths. Now sooner or later you should reach a point that you just feel like you have blacked out. You will have no real thoughts you will not hear anything...Its like being asleep while being awake. I have heard of people who have seen lights or heard 'static' which is fine but it isn't so bad that you focus on said light or sound. This is the point you want to reach. Once you reach this point you will sit in it as long as you have set a timer for or untill you feel it has been long enough. Once you get out of it you will feel refreshed. Your muscles will be relaxed, your mind will be calm. It will be as though the world is moving very slowly. This is what you wanted, this is the time to think about things. The slowness is what helps you look at each problem you face objectivly and calmly without emotions, pride, selfishness, ect. Or it can be used to focus on the teachings of the Buddha or even to just take a moment to slow yourself down and think about what is important in life.

The second type is called Walking Meditation. You pick a 2 points or a path that is easy to remember. You walk this path over and over untill it is built into muscle memory and you can walk it litteraly with your eyes closed. Next you will walk that path with your eyes clothed while counting breaths 10 at a time for a few minutes. This makes sure you are unafraid of the path and comfortable with walking it. Next you want to break away from counting and focus on breathing, now unlike sitting meditation you won't 'black out' after awhile. You will still be there but your breathing is your only focus. This centers you. You will gain a mild effect of calmness like sitting meditation, things will slow down and you can take your time with problems. Unlike sitting meditation since you havent lost control of everything this meditation takes much less time to reach being centered, however it is much more mild compared to sitting meditation.