San Sarv Bu Pm Tf 11 Pc 58Precious Things
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ratana
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Explanation of the Ratana Sutta (Precious Things)
Context
The Ratana Sutta (Precious Things) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, belonging to the Khuddakapāṭha section, the short lessons. This sutta arises from a historical event in the life of the Buddha Śākyamuni, when the bhikkhus felt afraid because of supernatural forces exerting pressure. The Buddha recognized this fear and instructed his disciples in how to dispel fear by recollecting the three most noble jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
The Ratana Sutta is one of the most sacred recitations in the Vinaya Piṭaka, regarded as a way of protecting the spirit through recollection. It reflects the belief of early Buddhists that these spiritual jewels possess surpassing protective power.
Main Content
The three jewels honored in this sutta are the Triple Gem (Tiratana): the Buddha (Buddham), the Dharma (Dhammam), and the Sangha (Sangham).
The first jewel: the Buddha. The Buddha Śākyamuni is the Awakened One, one who realized supreme wisdom (Anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi), transcending all suffering and the cycle of birth and death. The power of the Buddha lies in absolute wisdom and boundless compassion. Recollecting the Buddha, people are connected with the highest source of clarity and spiritual protection.
The second jewel: the Dharma. The Dharma (Dhamma) is the teaching of the Buddha, including the entire path of practice leading to liberation. It consists of the truths of suffering (dukkha), the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariyamakkhanda). The Dharma is the light of awakening, guiding human beings out of the darkness of ignorance.
The third jewel: the Sangha. The Sangha is the community of monastics who have practiced and realized the Dharma, from arhats to the fourth class of disciples. The Sangha consists of shining examples of serious practice and is a spiritual support for the Buddhist community.
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