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Anumodana is a difficult word to translate into English. Literally, it means "rejoicing together," but it can also mean approval and encouragement. The tradition of Buddhist monks' giving anumodana to donors of food and other requisites goes back to the time of the Buddha. After a meal or when presented with a gift, he would often "instruct, urge, rouse, and encourage" the donor(s) with a talk on Dhamma. Many of the anumodana stanzas used today come straight from these talks. Reading them in translation, it is obvious that the stanzas are not mere blessings. They express approval for the donor's wisdom in being generous, explain the rewards of generosity, and give encouragement to continue being generous. Other stanzas, composed in later centuries, fall more into the category of blessings, wishing happiness and good fortune for the donor(s).
The stanzas collected and translated here are those that are most widely used in the Thai Theravada tradition at present. All are appropriate for general merit-making donations, although some are considered especially appropriate for special occasions as well. The common pattern when giving anumodana is to begin with Passage I, to end with Passage XIII, and to include one or two of the other passages in between.
Notes have been included to identify the source of the stanzas, if they come from the Pali Canon, and to give other useful information on their meaning and use.
My hope is that this collection will be useful, not only for the monks and novices who must memorize and chant these stanzas, but also for lay donors who wish to know the meaning of the stanzas and who appreciate encouragement in their practice of the Buddha's teachings.
(LEADER):
Yathaa vaarivahaa puuraa
Paripuurenti saagara"m
Evameva ito dinna"m
Petaana"m upakappati
Icchita"m patthita"m tumha"m
Khippameva samijjhatu
Sabbe puurentu sa"nkappaa
Cando pa.n.naraso yathaa
Ma.ni jotiraso yathaa.
Just as rivers full of water
fill the ocean full,
Even so does that here given
benefit the dead (the hungry shades).
May whatever you wish or want quickly come to be,
May all your aspirations be fulfilled,
as the moon on the fifteenth (full moon) day,
or as a radiant, bright gem.
(ALL):
Sabbiitiyo vivajjantu
Sabba-rogo vinassatu
Maa te bhavatvantaraayo
Sukhii diighaayuko bhava
Abhivaadana-siilissa
Nicca"m vu.d.dhaapacaayino
Cattaaro dhammaa va.d.dhanti
AAyu va.n.no sukha"m, bala"m.
May all distresses be averted,Note: These stanzas are chanted as part of every anumodana. If two or more monks are chanting, they should repeat the two lines beginning "Sabbitiyo..." three times before going on to the lines beginning "Abhivadana-silissa..." On some occasions, the leader will omit his solo part and will lead the entire group in chanting the following verses as a prelude to the passage beginning "Sabbityo..."
may every disease be destroyed,
May there be no dangers for you,
May you be happy & live long.
For one of respectful nature who
constantly honors the worthy,
Four qualities increase:
long life, beauty, happiness, strength.
Sabba-roga-vinimutto
Sabba-santaapa-vajjito
Sabba-veram-atikkanto
Nibbuto ca tuva"m bhava
May you be:
freed from all disease,
safe from all torment,
beyond all animosity,
& unbound.
Adaasi me akaasi me
Ñaati-mittaa sakhaa ca me
Petaana"m dakkhi.na"m dajjaa
Pubbe katam-anussara"m
Na hi ru.n.na"m vaa soko vaa
Yaa vaññaa paridevanaa
Na ta"m petaanam-atthaaya
Eva"m ti.t.thanti ñaatayo
*Ayañca kho dakkhi.naa dinnaa
Sa"nghamhi supati.t.thitaa
Diigha-ratta"m hitaayassa
.Thaanaso upakappati
So ñaati-dhammo ca aya"m nidassito
Petaana-puujaa ca kataa u.laaraa
Balañca bhikkhuunam-anuppadinna"m
Tumhehi puñña"m pasuta"m anappakanti.
"He gave to me, he acted on my behalf,
and he was my relative, companion, friend."
Offerings should be given for the dead
when one reflects (thus) on what was done in the past.
For no weeping or sorrowing or any kind of lamentation
benefit the dead whose relatives keep acting in that way.
* But when this offering is given, well-placed in the Sangha,
It works for their long-term benefit
And they profit immediately.
In this way the proper duty to relatives has been shown
And great honor has been done to the dead
And the monks have been given strength:
You've acquired merit that's not small.
Note: These verses are the concluding part of the Tirokuddakanda Sutta (Discourse on Those Outside the Wall), Khuddakapatha 8. They are often chanted on occasions when donors dedicate merit to the dead. A common practice is for the leader to begin chanting at the asterisk, omitting the first four lines.
Aggato ve pasannaana"m
Agga"m dhamma"m vijaanata"m
Agge buddhe pasannaana"m
Dakkhi.neyye anuttare
Agge dhamme pasannaana"m
Viraaguupasame sukhe
Agge sa"nghe pasannaana"m
Puññakkhette anuttare
Aggasmi"m daana"m dadata"m
Agga"m puñña"m pava.d.dhati
Agga"m aayu ca va.n.no ca
Yaso kitti sukha"m bala"m
Aggassa daataa medhaavii
Agga-dhamma-samaahito
Deva-bhuuto manusso vaa
Aggappatto pamodatiiti.
For one with confidence,Note: These verses are from the Aggappasada Sutta (Discourse on Faith in the Supreme), Anguttara Nikaya V.32.
realizing the supreme Dhamma to be supreme,
With confidence in the supreme Buddha,
unsurpassed in deserving offerings,
With confidence in the supreme Dhamma,
the happiness of dispassion & calm,
With confidence in the supreme Sangha,
unsurpassed as a field of merit,
Having given gifts to the supreme,
one develops supreme merit,
supreme long life & beauty,
status, honor, happiness, strength.
Having given to the supreme,
the intelligent person, firm in the supreme Dhamma,
Whether becoming a deva or a human being,
rejoices, having attained the supreme.
AAyudo balado dhiiro
Va.n.nado pa.tibhaa.nado
Sukhassa daataa medhaavii
Sukha"m so adhigacchati
aayu"m datvaa bala"m va.n.na"m
Sukhañca pa.tibhaa.nado
Diighaayu yasavaa hoti
Yattha yatthuupapajjatiiti.
The enlightened person, having given life, strength,Note: These verses are from the Bhojana-dananumodana Sutta (Discourse on Rejoicing in the Gift of Food), Anguttara Nikaya V.37.
beauty, quick-wittedness --
The intelligent person, a giver of happiness --
attains happiness himself.
Having given life, strength, beauty,
happiness,& quick-wittedness,
He has long life & status
wherever he arises.
AAyu"m va.n.na"m yasa"m kitti"m
Sagga"m uccaakuliinata"m
Ratiyo patthayaanena
U.laaraa aparaaparaa
Appamaada"m pasa"msanti
Puñña-kiriyaasu pa.n.ditaa
Appamatto ubho atthe
Adhigga.nhaati pa.n.dito
Di.t.the dhamme ca yo attho
Yo c'attho samparaayiko
Atthaabhisamayaa dhiiro
Pa.n.dito'ti pavuccatiiti.
Long life, beauty, status, honor,Note: These verses are from the Ittha Sutta (Discourse on What is Welcome), Anguttara Nikaya V.43.
heaven, high birth:
To those who delight
in aspiring for these things
in great measure, continuously,
the wise praise non-complacency
in the making of merit.
The wise person, uncomplacent,
acquires a two-fold welfare:
welfare in this life
& welfare in the next.
By breaking through to his welfare
he is called "enlightened, wise."
Bhuttaa bhogaa bha.taa bhaccaa
Viti.n.naa aapadaasu me
Uddhaggaa dakkhi.naa dinnaa
Atho pañca balii kataa
Upa.t.thitaa siilavanto
Saññataa brahmacaarino
Yadattha"m bhogam-iccheyya
Pa.n.dito gharam-aavasa"m
So me attho anuppatto
Kata"m ananutaapiya"m
Eta"m anussara"m macco
Ariya-dhamme .thito naro
Idheva na"m pasa"msanti
Pecca sagge pamodatiiti.
"My wealth has been enjoyed,
My dependents supported,
protected from calamities by me.
I have given lofty offerings,
and performed the five oblations.
I have provided for the virtuous,
the restrained, leaders of the holy life.
For whatever aim a wise householder
would desire wealth,
that aim I have attained.
I have done what will not lead to future distress."
When this is recollected by a mortal,
a person established in the Dhamma of the Noble Ones,
He is praised in this life
and, after death, rejoices in heaven.
Note: These verses are from the Adiya Sutta (Discourse on Edibles), Anguttara Nikaya V.41. The "five oblations" are gifts/offerings given to one's relatives, guests, the dead, kings (taxes paid to the government), and devas. This selection is often chanted when donors are making a donation dedicated to a relative or friend who has long been dead.
Daanañca peyya-vajjañca
Attha-cariyaa ca yaa idha
Samaanattataa ca dhammesu
Tattha tattha yathaaraha"m
Ete kho sa"ngahaa loke
Rathassaa.nii va yaayato
Ete ca sa"ngahaa naassu
Na maataa putta-kaara.naa
Labhetha maana"m puuja"m vaa
Pitaa vaa putta-kaara.naa
Yasmaa ca sa"ngahaa ete
Samavekkhanti pa.n.ditaa
Tasmaa mahatta"m papponti
Paasa"msaa ca bhavanti teti.
Generosity, kind words, beneficial action,Note: These verses are from the Sangaha-vatthu Sutta (Discourse on the Bonds of Fellowship), Anguttara Nikaya IV.32.
And treating all consistently,
in line with what each deserves:
These bonds of fellowship (function) in the world
like the linchpin in a moving cart.
Now, if these bonds of fellowship were lacking,
A mother would not receive
the honor & respect owed by her child,
Nor would a father receive
what his child owes him.
But because the wise
show regard for these bonds of fellowship,
They achieve greatness and are praised.
Kaale dadanti sapaññaa
Vadaññuu viita-maccharaa
Kaalena dinna"m ariyesu
Uju-bhuutesu taadisu
Vippasanna-manaa tassa
Vipulaa hoti dakkhi.naa
Ye tattha anumodanti
Veyyaavacca"m karonti vaa
Na tena dakkhi.naa onaa
Tepi puññassa bhaagino
Tasmaa dade appa.tivaana-citto
Yattha dinna"m mahapphala"m
Puññaani para-lokasmi"m
Pati.t.thaa honti paa.ninanti.
Those with discernment,Note: These verses are from the Kala-dana Sutta (Discourse on Seasonable Gifts), Anguttara Nikaya V.36. They are often chanted when large groups of people organize a donation for a special occasion, such as a kathina.
responsive, free from stinginess,
give in the proper season.
Having given in the proper season
With hearts inspired by the Noble Ones
-- straightened, Such --
Their offering bears an abundance.
Those who rejoice in that gift,
or give assistance,
They too have a share of the merit,
and the offering is not depleted by that.
Therefore, with an unhesitant mind,
one should give where the gift bears great fruit.
Merit is what establishes
living beings in the next life.
Ratanattayaanubhaavena
Ratanattaya-tejasaa
Dukkha-roga-bhayaa veraa
Sokaa sattu c'upaddavaa
Anekaa antaraayaapi
Vinassantu asesato
Jaya-siddhi dhana"m laabha"m
Sotthi bhaagya"m sukha"m bala"m
Siri aayu ca va.n.no ca
Bhoga"m vu.d.dhii ca yasavaa
Sata-vassaa ca aayuu ca
Jiiva-siddhii bhavantu te.
Through the power of the Triple Gem,Note: This selection is frequently chanted when a gift is being dedicated to the Sangha as a whole (Sangha-dana). The same is true of the following selection, which is one of the few pieces that Dhammayut monks will chant in Sanyoga style.
through the radiant energy of the Triple Gem,
May suffering, disease, danger, animosity,
sorrow, adversity, misfortune
-- obstacles without number --
vanish without a trace.
Triumph, success, wealth, & gain,
Safety, luck, happiness, strength,
Glory, long life, & beauty,
Fortune, increase, & status,
A lifespan of 100 years,
And success in your livelihood:
May they be yours.
Sabba-buddhaanubhaavena sabba-dhammaanubhaavena sabba-sa"nghaanubhaavena buddha-ratana"m dhamma-ratana"m sa"ngha-ratana"m ti.n.na"m ratanaana"m aanubhaavena caturaasiitisahassa-dhammakkhandhaanubhaavena pi.takatyaanubhaavena jinasaavakaanubhaavena:
Sabbe te rogaa sabbe te bhayaa sabbe te antaraayaa sabbe te upaddavaa sabbe te dunnimittaa sabbe te avama"ngalaa vinassantu.
AAyu-va.d.dhako dhana-va.d.dhako siri-va.d.dhako yasa-va.d.dhako bala-va.d.dhako va.n.na-va.d.dhako sukha-va.d.dhako hotu sabbadaa.
Dukkha-roga-bhayaa veraa
Sokaa sattu c'upaddavaa
Anekaa antaraayaapi
Vinassantu ca tejasaa
Jaya-siddhi dhana"m laabha"m
Sotthi bhaagya"m sukha"m bala"m
Siri aayu ca va.n.no ca
Bhoga"m vu.d.dhii ca yasavaa
Sata-vassaa ca aayuu ca
Jiiva-siddhii bhavantu te.
Bhavatu sabba-ma"ngala"m
Rakkhantu sabba-devataa
Sabba-buddhaanubhaavena
Sadaa sotthii bhavantu te.
Bhavatu sabba-ma"ngala"m
Rakkhantu sabba-devataa
Sabba-dhammaanubhaavena
Sadaa sotthii bhavantu te.
Bhavatu sabba-ma"ngala"m
Rakkhantu sabba-devataa
Sabba-sa"nghaanubhaavena
Sadaa sotthii bhavantu te.
Through the power of all the Buddhas, the power of all the Dhamma, the power of all the Sangha, the power of the Triple Gem -- the gem of the Buddha, the gem of the Dhamma, the gem of the Sangha -- the power of the 84,000 Dhamma aggregates, the power of the Tripitaka, the power of the Victor's disciples:May all your diseases, all your fears, all your obstacles, all your dangers, all your bad visions, all your bad omens be destroyed.
May there always be an increase of long life, wealth, glory, status, strength, beauty, & happiness.
May suffering, disease, danger, animosity,
sorrow, adversity, misfortune
-- obstacles without number --
vanish through (the Triple Gem's) radiant energy.
Triumph, success, wealth, & gain,
Safety, luck, happiness, strength,
Glory,long life, & beauty,
Fortune, increase, & status,
A lifespan of 100 years,
And success in your livelihood:
May they be yours.May there be every good blessing,
may the devas protect you,Through the power of all the Buddhas (Dhamma, Sangha)
may you always be well.
So attha-laddho sukhito
Viru.lho buddha-saasane
Arogo sukhito hohi
Saha sabbehi ñaatibhi.
Saa attha-laddhaa sukhitaa
Viru.lhaa buddha-saasane
Arogaa sukhitaa hohi
Saha sabbehi ñaatibhi.
Te attha-laddhaa sukhitaa
Viru.lhaa buddha-saasane
Arogaa sukhitaa hotha
Saha sabbehi ñaatibhi.
May he gain his aims, be happy,
and flourish in the Buddha's teachings.
May you, together with all your relatives,
be happy and free from disease.
May she gain her aims, be happy...
May they gain their aims, be happy...
Note: The above verses are frequently chanted after an ordination, or when a lay person has undertaken the practice of the eight precepts or has taken the five preepts for the first time. If one man has ordained or taken the precepts, chant only the two lines beginning "So attha-laddho..." three times. If one woman, chant only the two lines beginning "Sa attha-laddha..." three times. If more than one person, chant only the two lines beginning "Te attha-laddha..." three times.
Yasmi"m padese kappeti
Vasa"m pa.n.dita-jaatiyo
Siilavant'ettha bhojetvaa
Saññate brahma-caarino
Yaa tattha devataa aasu"m
Taasa"m dakkhi.nam-aadise
Taa puujitaa puujayanti
Maanitaa maanayanti na"m
Tato na"m anukampanti
Maataa putta"m va orasa"m
Devataa'nukampito poso
Sadaa bhadraani passati.
In whatever place a wise person makes his dwelling,Note: These verses are from the Maha-Parinibbana Suttanta (Great Discourse on the Total Unbinding), Digha Nikaya 16. They are frequently chanted when the donor is making merit on the occasion of his/her birthday or a house-warming.
-- there providing food for the virtuous,
the restrained,
leaders of the holy life --
He should dedicate that offering to the devas there.
They, receiving honor, will honor him;
Being respected, will show him respect.
As a result, they will feel sympathy for him,
like that of a mother for her child.
A person with whom the devas sympathize
always sees things go auspiciously.
Bhavatu sabba-ma"ngala"m
Rakkhantu sabba-devataa
Sabba-buddhaanubhaavena
Sadaa sotthii bhavantu te.
Bhavatu sabba-ma"ngala"m
Rakkhantu sabba-devataa
Sabba-dhammaanubhaavena
Sadaa sotthii bhavantu te.
Bhavatu sabba-ma"ngala"m
Rakkhantu sabba-devataa
Sabba-sa"nghaanubhaavena
Sadaa sotthii, bhavantu te.
May there be every good blessing,Note: These verses are always chanted to conclude the anumodana.
may the devas protect you,
Through the power of all the Buddhas (Dhamma, Sangha)
may you always be well.