The Sūtras on Recollecting the Precious Triple Gem Translated from the Tibetan by Erick Tsiknopoulos
In the Indian Language [Sanskrit]: ārya-buddha-anusmṛti In the Tibetan Language: ‘phags-pa sangs-rgyas rjes-su-dran-pa In the English Language: The Recollection of the Noble Buddha
HOMAGE TO ALL BUDDHAS AND BODHISATTVAS.
The Sublime Master (Bhagavān) is the Suchness Faring One (Tathāgata), the Foe Destroyer (Arhat), the Perfectly Complete Buddha (Samyaksambuddha), endowed with deep knowledge and good conduct, the One Gone to Bliss (Sugata), the Knower of the World, the unsurpassed Charioteer of persons to be trained, the Teacher of gods and humans: the Buddha Bhagavān.
The Suchness Faring Ones (Tathāgatas) are concordant with the cause of positive potentials. They do not waste their roots of virtue. They are adorned with patience. They are the basis for the treasuries of positive potential. They are ornamented by their [minor] marks of excellence. They blossom with the flowers of their [major] signs. Their activity is in accordance with what is timely. They are never disharmonious to behold. They bring profound joy to those inspired by faith. Their deep insight can not be suppressed. Their powers are irrepressible. They are the teachers of all sentient beings. They are the fathers of the Bodhisattvas. They are the kings of Noble Individuals. They are the guides for those going to the city of Nirvāṇa. Their deep wisdom is unfathomable. Their confidence is inconceivable. Their speech is completely pure. Their tone is pleasing. Their bodily countenance is endlessly insatiable to behold. Their bodies are incomparable. They are not sullied by desires. They are not intimately affected by forms. They are not contaminated by the formless. They are fully liberated from suffering. They are fully and totally liberated from the aggregates. They are disassociated from the constituents. Their faculties are controlled. They have totally severed the knots. They are fully liberated from pervasive distress. They are totally liberated from craving. They have crossed the river. Their deep wisdom is thoroughly complete. They abide in the deep wisdom of the Buddha Bhagavāns of the past, future, and present. They do not abide in Nirvāṇa. They abide in the furthest limit of authentic reality. They rest on the level where all sentient beings are beheld. These are the good qualities of the deep wisdom of the Suchness Faring Ones (Tathāgatas), which are genuinely great.
THE RECOLLECTION OF THE NOBLE BUDDHA IS COMPLETE.
In the Indian Language [Sanskrit]: dharma-anusmṛti In the Tibetan Language: chos rjes-su-dran-pa In the English Language: The Recollection of the Dharma
HOMAGE TO ALL BUDDHAS AND BODHISATTVAS.
The Transcendent Dharma is spoken well. It is the heavenly way (brahmacarya). It is virtuous in the beginning, virtuous in the middle, and virtuous in the end. Its meaning is excellent. Its words are excellent. It is not corrupted. It is thoroughly complete. It is thoroughly pure. It is thoroughly refined. The Dharma and its Discipline was spoken well by the Buddha Bhagavān. It was authentically obtained. It is without ailment. Its time is unceasing. It guides intimately. It is beneficial to perceive. It is to be known by the wise through their own awareness. The Dharma and its Discipline was taught well. It leads to definitive release and complete Awakening. It is without contradiction, and is consistent. It is reliable. It brings the journey to an end.
THE RECOLLECTION OF THE DHARMA IS COMPLETE.
In the Indian Language [Sanskrit]: saṃgha-anusmṛti In the Tibetan Language: dge-‘dun rjes-su-dran-pa In the English Language: The Recollection of the Saṅgha
HOMAGE TO ALL BUDDHAS AND BODHISATTVAS.
The Noble Saṅgha is attending well. It is attending appropriately. It is attending harmoniously. It is attending honestly. It is worthy of bowing deeply. It is worthy of joining the palms. Its refinement in good qualities is great. It trains thoroughly in virtues. It is worthy of charity. It is worthy of generosity by all.
THE RECOLLECTION OF THE SAṄGHA IS COMPLETE. Translated from the Tibetan by Erick Tsiknopoulos, June 2016.
Notes:
This is a different version of the Sūtra than the one more commonly known and used, for two reasons: 1) it is divided into three separate sūtras rather than the usual combined singular one, and 2) its content and translation choices are substantially different in a few places, which can be seen with comparison. It is found in a collection of sūtras arranged by Geshe Thupten Palsang (dge-bshes thub-bstan dpal-bzang) entitled mdo tshan lam sgrig, and published by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamsala, India (2007).
References:
THE SUTRA OF THE RECOLLECTION OF THE NOBLE THREE JEWELS, translation by Nalanda Translation Committee (1975, 1980)
The Sutra of Recollecting the Three Jewels, translation by Jhampa Losal and Jay Goldberg (2014)
Unending Auspiciousness: The Sutra of the Recollection of the Noble Three Jewels with Commentaries by Ju Mipham, Taranatha, and the Author, by Tony Duff (2010)
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