Jinapanjara Gatha

Jinapanjara Gatha

Wat Rakhang and Somdej Toh.http://www.mybuddha108.com/

The Jinapanjara Gatha is one of the most popular chants in Thailand. Its origins are obscure. Some said it was discovered in a ruined stupa in Sri Lanka while others say it originates in Thailand. Nevertheless it is recited at many temples and forest monasteries in both countries for its mystical and powerful protective powers.

Jinapañjara Gāthā The Victor's Cage

Jay'āsan'āgatā Buddhā

Jetvā Māraṃ savāhanaṃ

Catu-saccāsabhaṃ rasaṃ

Ye piviṅsu narāsabhā

The Buddhas, noble men who drank the nectar of the four noble truths, having come to the victory seat, having defeated Māra together with his mount:

Taṇhaṅkar'ādayo Buddhā

Aṭṭha-vīsati nāyakā

Sabbe patiṭṭhitā mayhaṃ

Matthake te munissarā

These Buddhas — 28 leaders, sovereign sages beginning with Taṇhaṅkara — are all established on the crown of my head.

Sīse patiṭṭhito mayhaṃ

Buddho dhammo dvilocane

Saṅgho patiṭṭhito mayhaṃ

Ure sabba-guṇākaro

The Buddha is established in my head, the Dhamma in my two eyes, the Saṅgha — the mine of all virtues — is established in my chest.

Hadaye me Anuruddho

Sārīputto ca dakkhiṇe

Koṇḍañño piṭṭhi-bhāgasmiṃ

Moggallāno ca vāmake

Anuruddha is in my heart, and Sārīputta on my right. Koṇḍañña is behind me, and Moggallāna on my left.

Dakkhiṇe savane mayhaṃ

Āsuṃ Ānanda-Rāhulo

Kassapo ca Mahānāmo

Ubh'āsuṃ vāma-sotake

Ānanda & Rāhula are in my right ear, Kassapa & Mahānāma are both in my left ear.

Kesante piṭṭhi-bhāgasmiṃ

Suriyova pabhaṅkaro

Nisinno siri-sampanno

Sobhito muni-puṅgavo

Sobhita, the noble sage, sits in consummate glory, shining like the sun all over the hair at the back of my head.

Kumāra-kassapo thero

Mahesī citta-vādako

So mayhaṃ vadane niccaṃ

Patiṭṭhāsi guṇākaro

Elder Kumārakassapa — great sage, brilliant speaker, a mine of virtue — is constantly in my mouth.

Puṇṇo Aṅgulimālo ca

Upālī Nanda-Sīvalī

Therā pañca ime jātā

Nalāṭe tilakā mama

These five elders — Puṇṇa, Aṅgulimāla, Upālī, Nanda, & Sīvalī — have arisen as auspicious marks at the middle of my forehead.

Sesāsīti mahātherā

Vijitā jina-sāvakā

Etesīti mahātherā

Jitavanto jinorasā

Jalantā sīla-tejena

Aṅgamaṅgesu saṇṭhitā

The rest of the 80 great elders — victorious, disciples of the Victor, sons of the Victor, shining with the majesty of moral virtue — are established in the various parts of my body.

Ratanaṃ purato āsi

Dakkhiṇe Metta-suttakaṃ

Dhajaggaṃ pacchato āsi

Vāme Aṅgulimālakaṃ

Khandha-Mora-parittañca

Āṭānāṭiya-suttakaṃ

Ākāse chadanaṃ āsi

Sesā pākāra-saṇṭhitā

The Ratana Sutta is in front, the Metta Sutta to the right. The Dhajagga Sutta is behind, the Aṅgulimāla Paritta to the left. The Khandha & Mora Parittas and the Āṭānāṭiya Sutta are a roof in space. The remaining suttas are established as a rampart.

Jināṇābala-saṃyuttā

Satta-pākāra-laṅkatā

Vāta-pitt'ādi-sañjātā

Bāhir'ajjhatt'upaddavā

Asesā vinayaṃ yantu

Ananta-jina-tejasā

Bound by the Victor's authority & strength, seven ramparts arrayed against them, may all misfortunes within & without — caused by such things as wind or bile — be destroyed without trace through the unending Victor's majesty.

Vasato me sakiccena

Sadā Sambuddha-pañjare

Jina-pañjara-majjhamhi

Viharantaṃ mahītale

Sadā pālentu maṃ sabbe

Te mahā-purisāsabhā

As I dwell, in all my affairs, always in the cage of the Self-awakened One, living on earth in the middle of the cage of the Victors, I am always guarded by all of those great noble men.

Iccevamanto sugutto surakkho

Jinānubhāvena jit'upaddavo

Dhammānubhavena jitārisaṅgho

Saṅghānubhāvena jit'antarāyo

Saddhammānubhāva-pālito carāmi jina-pañjareti.

Thus am I utterly well-sheltered, well-protected.

Through the power of the Victor, misfortunes are vanquished.

Through the power of the Dhamma, the enemy horde is vanquished.

Through the power of the Saṅgha, dangers are vanquished.

Guarded by the power of the True Dhamma,

I go about in the Victor's Cage.