The Three Refuges (Tisaraṇa) in Pāli and English: Words, Meaning and How to Chant

The Three Refuges, Tisaraṇa, are the heart of every Buddhist ceremony and the start of daily chanting in Theravāda homes and temples. They are three short lines, said three times: a simple statement of what you choose to rely on. Here is the full chant, what it means, and how to say it.

The chant

It usually follows the homage to the Buddha, Namo tassa, said three times. This is the form in the Khuddakapāṭha (Kp 1), a short handbook of basic passages:

Buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi

I take refuge in the Buddha,
I take refuge in the Teaching,
I take refuge in the Saṅgha.

Dutiyampi buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi

For the second time I take refuge in the Buddha,
for the second time I take refuge in the Teaching,
for the second time I take refuge in the Saṅgha.

Tatiyampi buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi

For the third time I take refuge in the Buddha,
for the third time I take refuge in the Teaching,
for the third time I take refuge in the Saṅgha.

Pāli and English from Kp 1, translated by Bhikkhu Sujato.

Word by word

What "taking refuge" means

A refuge is somewhere you go when life is hard. The Dhammapada (verses 188–192) makes a striking contrast. It says that people driven by fear go for refuge to mountains, forests and shrines, but "such refuge is no sanctuary." Instead:

"One gone for refuge to the Buddha, to his teaching and to the Saṅgha, sees the four noble truths with right understanding ... Such refuge is a sanctuary, it is the supreme refuge."

In everyday terms, the three refuges are three things you can rely on: an example (someone who found a way through suffering), a way (a teaching you can test for yourself), and companions (people walking the same path). Saying them each morning is a quiet way of choosing, again, what kind of day you want to have.

How to say it

bood-dhang sah-rah-nang gach-chah-mee
dham-mang sah-rah-nang gach-chah-mee
sang-ghang sah-rah-nang gach-chah-mee

Then doo-tee-yam-pee for the second round and tah-tee-yam-pee for the third. In Thailand it sounds softer: put-tang sa-ra-nang kat-cha-mee. Chant slowly and evenly, one syllable to a beat.

When it is chanted

• Every morning and evening in temples and at home, after the homage.
• Before receiving the Five Precepts, at the start of temple ceremonies and Uposatha days.
• When someone becomes a Buddhist, or renews that commitment.

A two-minute daily practice

1. Sit comfortably and take three slow breaths.
2. Say the homage, Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa, three times.
3. Say the Three Refuges, three rounds.
4. Sit quietly for a minute and choose one kind intention for the day.

This is the core of the Buddhist morning prayer. Next, many people add the Itipiso, the chant of the Buddha's qualities.