Expert: Justin Choo - 3/3/2006

Question
Hello my name is hayden and ive recently became a buddhist but im only 12 and i cant get out and go to proper temples but i have my own buddas to pray to could you please email me and tell me what to say to thr buddha when i pray to him thank you.Also i am a lay Buddhist

Answer
Hi Hayden,

Welcome to the journey of inner peace and truth; and thank you for asking me.

I would be interested to know how you came into contact with Buddhism.  Buddhists do not pray to Buddha images.  These Buddha images are only symbolic representations of the serene features of the Buddha.  As a mark of great respect and deep gratitude to the Buddha, we pay homage to the images, reminding us of the power of his teachings and the effort we take to practise them.  

The Theravada way to pay homage to the Buddha is like this:
We clasp our palms and kneel(optional) and recite the following:

First Step:
Salutation to the Buddha in Pali language:

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa
(repeat 3 times)
Meaning: Homage to Him, the Exalted One, the Holy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One.

Second Step:
The Three Refuges:

Buddham Saranam Gacchami
(Pronunciation: Buddhang Saranang Gacha Me)
Dhammam Saranam Gacchami
(Pronunciation: Dhammang .....)
Sangham Saranam Gacchami
(Pronunciation: Sanghang......)

Meaning: To the Buddha I go for refuge
        To the Dhamma (Teachings) I go for refuge
        To the Sangha (Monks) I go for refuge

Dutiyampi Buddham Saranam Gacchami
(Meaning:For the 2nd time......)  
Dutiyampi Dhammam Saranam Gacchami
Dutiyampi Sangham Saranam Gacchami

Tatiyampi Buddham Saranam Gacchami
(Meaning:For the 3rd time.....)
Tatiyampi Dhammam Saranam Gacchami
Tatiyampi Sangham Saranam Gacchami

Third Step; The 5 Precepts
Panatipata, Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami
(Pronunciation: Pana Tipata Wera Money Sikkha Padang Sama Dee Ya Me )
Adinadana, Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami
Kamesu Micchacara, Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami
(Micchacara = Me cha cha ra)
Musavada, Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami
Sura Meraya, Majja Pama Datha Na, Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami

Meaning:
I undertake the training to refrain from killing
I undertake the training to refrain from stealing
I undertake the traing to refrain from committing sexual misconduct
I undertake the training to refrain from telling lies
I undertake the training to refrain from taking intxicating substances.

The above is the standard simple devotional recitation for paying homage to the Buddha, and affirmation of one's training to keep the 5 precepts.  You can recite this once in the morning when you wake up; and once at night before going to sleep.

Please refer to this website for the audio rendition:
http://www.parami.org/buddhistanswers/index.htm


To help you get more info, please take your time to brouse through the following websites:
http://www.ksridhammananda.com
Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda is my revered teacher. His writings have benefitted countless people throughout the world.

http://www.geocities.com/wave_books
You can obtain excellent publications from them.


http://www.buddhanet.net
http://www.dharmanet.org
http://www.buddhism.about.com
http://www.parami.org/buddhistanswers/index.htm
http://www.nibbana.com
http://www.triplegem.net
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv
http://www.bswa.org/modules/news/
http://dharmaavenue.com/home.htm
http://www.dharmagames.org
http://www.thebuddhistsociety.org
http://www.fundamentalbuddhism.com
http://www.maithri.com/index.asp
http://www.parami.org/buddhistanswers/

May you have peace and happiness. If you need further info please come back and I shall be very happy to share with you.

Smile from justinchoo :-)