The mantra Buddham Saranam Gacchami belongs to the Buddhist tradition of initiation.
Refuge is an appeal to someone or something for guidance, help and support. This is a conscious step, and before taking it, a person must make sure that he understands the meaning of the Three Jewels (in Sanskrit त्रिरत्न, triratna), appreciates them and is ready to rely on them.
The Three Jewels of Buddhism are:
1. Buddha (awakened)
2. Dharma (universal law)
3. Sangha (monastic community)
Buddha is an awakened and enlightened being who reached spiritual heights through the development of the mind and heart in a long sequence of rebirths (samsara). Chief among these peaks are enlightenment (bodhi) and tranquility (nirvana), which mark the final liberation (moksha) and the achievement of the highest goal of spiritual aspirations.
Taking refuge in the Buddha means, for the benefit of all sentient beings, to strive for states of enlightenment, compassion, and wisdom. The path to this shows the second jewel – Dharma, that is, spiritual teachings and knowledge that free from suffering, ignorance and defilement.
Dharma is the law revealed to the enlightened. This law is universal, and in accordance with it, all processes take place outside and inside human destinies. With its help, one can understand the laws of life and society, as well as the interdependence of all things in the universe. The Buddha comprehended this law and passed it on to his disciples in sermons.
Sangha is a community of practitioners, friends and like-minded people who strive for the same goal and use the same methods, who will support and help on the path to enlightenment.
Мантра и ее перевод
बुद्धं शरणं गच्छामि।
धर्मं शरणं गच्छामि।
संघं शरणं गच्छामि।
Buddhaṃ śaraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dharmaṃ śaraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Sanghaṃ śaraṇaṃ gacchāmi
I take refuge in the Buddha
Taking refuge in the Dharma
Taking refuge in the Sangha
Buddham – Buddha
Saranam – Shelter
Gacchami – Action
Saranam gacchami – Taking refuge
The mantra expresses a positive and beneficial intention to engage in training on the path to enlightenment for the benefit of all living, helps to tune in to a certain vision in which the mind is brought into a state of awakening and harmony. Through chanting the Refuge mantra and realizing its meaning, speech and mind are purified.
In some countries where the tradition has been preserved, the melody of the mantra “Buddham Saranam Gachchami” often accompanies numerous pilgrims from all over the world walking to the places where the Buddha lived.
Listen to different variations of the mantra:
