In short: Buddhist protection chants are called paritta. The three best known come straight from the early texts: when afraid, recollect the Buddha, his teaching and the Saṅgha (SN 11.3); the Jewel Discourse, with its refrain "by this truth, may you be well!" (Snp 2.1); and spreading loving-kindness to all creatures "for your own safety, security, and protection" (AN 4.67).
1. When you are afraid (the Banner's Crest)
"If you've gone to a wilderness, or to the root of a tree, or to an empty hut and you get scared or terrified, just recollect me: 'That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.' Then your fear and terror will go away."
SN 11.3 · Full text: Dhajagga Paritta · The recollection itself is the Itipiso chant.
Read the full guide
2. The Jewel Discourse
"Whatever beings have gathered here, on the ground or in the sky: may beings all be of happy heart, and listen carefully to what is said… This sublime gem is in the Buddha: by this truth, may you be well!"
Snp 2.1 · Full text: Ratana Sutta.
3. Loving-kindness for all creatures
"Mendicants, I urge you to spread a mind of love to the four royal snake families, for your own safety, security, and protection."
AN 4.67 · Full text: Khandha Paritta.
The protection here is love: a heart without ill will toward any being, "the footless creatures, the two-footed… the four-footed".
A short protection wish
By the power of the Buddha, the teaching and the Saṅgha,
may I be safe, may you be safe,
may all beings be free from fear.
ANEW's wording, in the spirit of the paritta chants.
These chants bring calm and courage. In real danger, please also take practical steps to stay safe and seek help.
Try it
Learn the whole family of protection chants: paritta chanting explained. Or begin the day with the morning prayer.
Questions people ask
Is there a Buddhist prayer for protection?
Theravāda Buddhists chant paritta, 'protection' discourses of the Buddha. Three of the best known are the Banner's Crest (SN 11.3), the Jewel Discourse (Snp 2.1) and the loving-kindness verses for all creatures (AN 4.67).
What did the Buddha say to do when afraid?
'If you get scared or terrified, just recollect me… Then your fear and terror will go away. If you can't recollect me, then recollect the teaching' (SN 11.3).