Ratana Sutta, Ratanasutta: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Ratana Sutta means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Ratana Sutta in Theravada glossary
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

1. Ratana Sutta

One of the suttas of the Khuddakapatha. It is also included in the Sutta Nipata (vss. 222 38); see also Gangarohana Sutta. It was preached at Vesali, on the occasion of the Buddhas visit there at the invitation of the Licchavis, who begged him to rid the city of the various dangers which had fallen upon it. According to the Commentaries (SNA.i.278ff.; DhA.iii.436ff.; KhpA.164f), the Buddha first taught the sutta to Ananda and asked him to go round the city, accompanied by the Licchavi princes, reciting the sutta and sprinkling water from the Buddhas bowl. Immediately all the evil spirits fled from the city and the people recovered from their diseases. They then gathered at the Mote hall with various offerings and thither they conducted the Buddha. In the assembly were present not only all the inhabitants of Vesali, but also the devas of two deva worlds, with Sakka at their head. The Buddha preached the Ratana Sutta to this great crowd. Another account, quoted by Buddhaghosa (DhA.iii.165), says that in the assembly the Buddha preached only the first five stanzas, the rest having been earlier recited by Ananda. Because this sutta was first preached to ward off the evil from Vesali, it became the most famous of Buddhist Ward runes (Paritta)

The sutta consists of seventeen verses: the first two contain a request to the devas to receive the homage and offerings of men and protect them in their danger; then follow twelve verses, descriptive of the virtues of the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha. It ends with three verses purporting (DhA.iii.195) to have been spoken by Sakka on behalf of all the devas, expressing their adoration of the Buddha, his Dhamma and his Sangha. It is also said (DhA.iii.196) that during this visit the Buddha stayed at Vesali for two weeks, preaching the sutta on seven consecutive days; on each day eighty four thousand beings realized the Truth. The Sutta seems also to have been known as the Gangarohana Sutta (Cv.xxxvii.191). When Ceylon was troubled by famine and plague in the reign of Upatissa II., the king had the sutta preached by monks while walking in the streets of the city. All troubles vanished, and he decreed that his successors should do likewise in times of need(Cv.xxxvii.195f). Sena II. had the whole sutta inscribed on a golden plate and held a great festival in its honour (Cv.li.79).

The sutta is given in the Mahavastu (i.290ff), where it is described as Svastyanagatha.

2. Ratana Sutta

The Digha Commentary (DA.i.250) refers the reader to a Ratana Sutta of the Bojjhanga Samyutta for details of the seven gems of a Cakkavatti. The reference is evidently to the Chakkavatti Sutta (q.v.). S.v.98.

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

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Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Ratana Sutta in Pali glossary
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Ratanasutta refers to: the Suttanta of the (3) Treasures (viz. Dhamma, Saṅgha, Buddha), representing Sutta Nipāta II. 1 (P. T. S. ed. pp. 39—42), mentioned as a parittā at Vism. 414 (with 4 others) and at Miln. 150 (with 5 others), cp. KhA 63; SnA 201. (Page 563)

Note: ratanasutta is a Pali compound consisting of the words ratana and sutta.

Pali book cover
context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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