Buddhism
Buddhism follows the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, honoured as an awakened teacher rather than a creator god. Practice often includes meditation and compassionate aspiration.
Many voices: Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana and many national schools have distinct practices.
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Prayers, Mantras & Chants
Traditional textThe Three Refuges (Tisaraṇa)Buddhist — recited across Theravada and many other schoolsRead the prayer
Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi. Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi. Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi. I go for refuge to the Buddha. I go for refuge to the Dhamma (the teaching). I go for refuge to the Sangha (the community).
- Attribution:
- Traditional Pali formula from the early Buddhist canon
- Version:
- Plain literal rendering by Lightkeepers — not an authoritative translation
Note: Often recited three times. Wording and customs differ between schools; ask your teacher or temple.
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Traditional textDhammapada, verse 5 — Hatred ceases by loveBuddhist — Pali canon · Dhammapada 1:5Read the prayer
For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time: hatred ceases by love — this is an old rule.
- Attribution:
- Dhammapada, a collection of sayings attributed to the Buddha
- Source:
- Dhammapada 1:5
- Version:
- English: F. Max Müller (1881), public domain. Spanish: Lightkeepers rendering of Müller's English.
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Original LightkeepersLoving-kindness reflection (inspired by metta)Inspired by Buddhist metta practiceRead the prayer
May I be safe. May I be peaceful. May I be kind to myself. May you be safe. May you be peaceful. May you be free from suffering. May those I find difficult be safe and at peace. May all beings, near and far, be happy and at ease.
- Attribution:
- Original Lightkeepers composition
Note: Not a canonical text. Traditional metta phrases vary by school and teacher; the Karaniya Metta Sutta is a related canonical source.
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Original LightkeepersA mindful-breath intentionInspired by mindfulness of breathingRead the prayer
Breathing in, I know I am breathing in. Breathing out, I let my shoulders soften. This moment is enough to begin again. May my words and actions today cause no harm.
- Attribution:
- Original Lightkeepers composition
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Original LightkeepersEvening review (original)Secular reflectionRead the prayer
Three things that went well today… One moment I am proud of… One thing I can let go of before sleep… Tomorrow I begin again, rested.
- Attribution:
- Original Lightkeepers composition
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Traditional textMantraOm (Aum)Hindu, also used in Buddhist, Jain and Sikh contexts · Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 1Read the prayer
Om (A-U-M) Chanted slowly on the out-breath, often three times. The Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad describes it as standing for all that is: past, present, future and beyond.
- Attribution:
- Sacred syllable described in the Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad
- Source:
- Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 1
Note: Treat the syllable with respect; many people avoid using it as decoration.
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Traditional textMantraOṃ Maṇi Padme HūṃBuddhist — Tibetan and Mahayana, associated with Avalokiteśvara (Chenrezig)Read the prayer
Oṃ Maṇi Padme Hūṃ Often glossed as "the jewel in the lotus". Many teachers say its meaning cannot be reduced to a single translation; it is recited to cultivate compassion.
- Attribution:
- Traditional mantra, first recorded in the Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra
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Traditional textChantNianfo / NembutsuBuddhist — Pure Land schools of China, Japan, Korea and VietnamRead the prayer
Namo Amituofo (Chinese) Namu Amida Butsu (Japanese) Meaning: "I take refuge in Amitabha Buddha" — the Buddha of Infinite Light.
- Attribution:
- Traditional recitation of the name of Amitābha Buddha
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