Lzh Sarv Bu Pm 2 Pc 58Precious Things
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ratana
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RATANA SUTTA (PRECIOUS JEWELS)
An Interpretation from the VINAYA PIṬAKA
Background
The Ratana Sutta, or "Precious Jewels," is an important discourse within the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. This name is not used because the discourse speaks of worldly precious things, but because it points to the noblest spiritual treasures in the practice of the Buddha-Dharma.
According to the historical setting, this discourse was compiled during the formation of the Vinaya Piṭaka, when the Sangha elders after the time of the Buddha needed to determine principles of conduct within the monastic community. The Ratana Sutta especially emphasizes what is truly precious on the path of practice: not material wealth, but what pertains to morality, collectedness of mind, and wisdom.
Main Content
The specific content of this discourse has not yet been fully translated in the existing data repository. However, based on the context of the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, the Ratana Sutta commonly impresses upon practitioners the Three Jewels (Tiratna): the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha — the three spiritual foundations of Buddhism.
This discourse emphasizes that truly precious things are not gold, silver, pearls, or material jewels. Instead, what is truly precious is:
Resolute faith (saddha) in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, because it is the foundation by which human beings overcome delusion. Pure morality (sila), with at least the five precepts or higher, because it gives rise to happiness and purity. Discerning wisdom (pañña), by which one sees the nature of suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path leading to that cessation.
This discourse also reminds us that in both the monastic and lay life, what we should strive to seek is not immediate sensual pleasure, but imperishable spiritual wealth. This is a teaching so that those who cultivate wisdom will not lose their way among the illusory ambitions of the world.
Practical Meaning
In the tendency of practice today, the Ratana Sutta reminds us to redefine the true value of the path of cultivation.
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