San Bu Pm Qizil Pc 58Precious Things

Exposition of the Ratana Sutta (Precious Things)

Background

The Ratana Sutta, or "Precious Things," belongs to the Vinaya tradition of Theravada Buddhism and is recorded in the Pali Canon. This text was transmitted in the context of the Buddha Shakyamuni's purpose of protecting his disciples and the community of practitioners from the harms of spirits and unwholesome forces.

According to traditional sources, the sutta was proclaimed to address people's fears and calamities. It is a highly practical text, widely used in Theravada Buddhist communities to this day, especially in rituals of protection and communal unity under the Buddha's discipline.

Main Content

The Ratana Sutta centers on the three supreme treasures of Buddhism, called the "Three Jewels" (Tiratana): the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. These "treasures" are not gold, silver, or material objects, but priceless spiritual values of the path of practice.

The first treasure - the Buddha: The Buddha is the unsurpassed Awakened One, who has overcome all suffering, ignorance, and craving. The Buddha is not a deity to be worshiped, but a perfect teacher who realized the path and attained nirvana. In the sutta, the Buddha is praised as the "light of wisdom" illuminating the path of practice for all.

The second treasure - the Dharma (Dhamma): This is the practical teaching taught by the Buddha, including the Four Noble Truths (dukkha, samudaya, nirvana, magga), dependent origination, the five precepts, and the Noble Eightfold Path. The Dharma is wisdom concerning the nature of reality that anyone can understand and practice without blind belief.

The third treasure - the Sangha: This is the community of noble monastics who have practiced according to the Buddha's Dharma. In Theravada, "Sangha" refers to directly awakened noble ones (Ariya Sangha), those who have realized certain stages of liberation. The Sangha is the nurturing support that enables others to practice and progress on the path.