# Verses for Recollection of the Buddha

**URL:** <https://classicaltheravada.org/t/verses-for-recollection-of-the-buddha/1734>\
**Category:** Textual Scholarship\
**Created:** [March 20, 2025, 12:07am UTC](https://classicaltheravada.org/t/verses-for-recollection-of-the-buddha/1734 "2025-03-20T00:07:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![HappinessSeeker](https://classicaltheravada.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/67e7ee/32.png) [@HappinessSeeker](https://classicaltheravada.org/u/HappinessSeeker)\
**Post date:** [March 20, 2025, 12:07am UTC](https://classicaltheravada.org/t/verses-for-recollection-of-the-buddha/1734/1 "2025-03-20T00:07:24Z")

</div>

I really like these verses.  
I like to recollect the Buddha by reading these verses.

[Nālakasutta](https://suttacentral.net/snp3.11/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin)

> “The being intent on awakening, **a peerless gem** ,  
> has been born in the human realm  
> for the sake of welfare and happiness,  
> in Lumbinī, a village in the Sakyan land.  
> That’s why we’re so happy, in such excellent spirits.
> 
> He is **supreme among all beings** , the **best of people** ,  
> **chief of men** , **supreme among all creatures**.  
> He will roll forth the wheel in the grove of the seers,  
> roaring like a mighty lion, lord of beasts.”
> 
> Hearing this, he swiftly descended  
> and right away approached Suddhodana’s home.  
> Seated there he said this to the Sakyans,  
> “Where is the boy? I too wish to see him!”
> 
> Then the Sakyans showed their son  
> to the one named Asita—  
> the boy **shone like burning gold**  
> well-wrought in the forge;  
> **resplendent with glory** , of **peerless beauty**.
> 
> The boy **beamed like crested flame** ,  
> **pure as the moon** , **lord of stars traversing the sky** ,  
> **blazing like the sun free of clouds after the rains** ;  
> seeing him, he was joyful, brimming with happiness.
> 
> The celestials held up a parasol in the sky,  
> many-ribbed and thousand-circled;  
> and golden-handled chowries waved—  
> but none could see who held  
> the chowries or the parasols.
> 
> When the dreadlocked seer called “Dark Splendor”  
> had seen the boy like a gold ingot on a cream rug  
> with a white parasol held over his head,  
> he received him, elated and happy.
> 
> Having received the Sakyan bull,  
> the seeker, master of marks and hymns,  
> lifted up his voice with confident heart:  
> **“He is supreme, the best of men!”**

[Selasutta](https://suttacentral.net/mn92/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin)

> Then Sela extolled the Buddha in his presence with fitting verses:
> 
> “O Blessed One, **your body’s perfect** ,  
> you’re **radiant, handsome, lovely to behold** ;  
> **golden colored** ,  
> with **teeth so white** ; you’re strong.
> 
> The characteristics of a handsome man,  
> the marks of a great man,  
> are all found on your body.
> 
> Your eyes are clear,  
> your face is fair,  
> you’re formidable, sincere, majestic.  
> In the midst of the Saṅgha of ascetics,  
> **you shine like the sun**.
> 
> You’re a mendicant fine to see,  
> **with skin that shines like lustrous gold**.  
> But with such excellent appearance,  
> what do you want with the ascetic life?
> 
> **You’re fit to be a king** ,  
> **a wheel-turning monarch** ,  
> chief of charioteers,  
> victorious in the four quarters,  
> lord of the Black Plum Tree Land.
> 
> Aristocrats, nobles, and kings  
> ought follow your rule.  
> Gotama, may you reign  
> as king of kings, lord of men!”
> 
> “ **I am a king** , Sela,  
> the **supreme king of the teaching**.  
> By the teaching I roll forth the wheel  
> which cannot be rolled back.”
> 
> “You claim to be awakened,  
> the supreme king of the teaching.  
> ‘I roll forth the teaching’:  
> so you say, Gotama.
> 
> Then who is your general,  
> the disciple who follows the Teacher’s way?  
> Who keeps rolling the wheelof teaching you rolled forth?”
> 
> “By me the wheel was rolled forth,”  
> said the Buddha,  
> “the supreme wheel of teaching.  
> Sāriputta, taking after the Realized One,  
> keeps it rolling on.
> 
> **I have known what should be known,**  
> **and developed what should be developed,**  
> **and given up what should be given up:**  
> **and so, brahmin, I am a Buddha.**
> 
> Dispel your doubt in me—  
> make up your mind, brahmin!  
> The sight of a Buddha is hard to find again.
> 
> **I am a Buddha, brahmin,**  
> **the supreme surgeon,**  
> one of those whose appearance in the world  
> is hard to find again.
> 
> **A manifestation of divinity, unequaled,**  
> **crusher of Māra’s army;**  
> having subdued all my opponents,  
> I rejoice, fearing nothing from any quarter.”

[Selasutta](https://suttacentral.net/mn92/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin)

> “This is the eighth day since  
> we went for refuge, O Clear-eyed One.  
> In these seven days, Blessed One,  
> we’ve become tamed in your teaching.
> 
> **You are the Buddha, you are the Teacher,**  
> **you are the sage who has overcome Māra;**  
> **you have cut off the underlying tendencies,**  
> **you’ve crossed over, and you bring humanity across.**
> 
> **You have transcended attachments,**  
> **your defilements are shattered;**  
> **by not grasping** , like a lion,  
> **you’ve given up fear and dread.**
> 
> These three hundred mendicants  
> stand with joined palms raised.  
> Stretch out your feet, great hero:  
> let these giants bow to the Teacher.”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bksubhuti](https://classicaltheravada.org/user_avatar/classicaltheravada.org/bksubhuti/32/19_2.png) [@bksubhuti](https://classicaltheravada.org/u/bksubhuti)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 3:26am UTC](https://classicaltheravada.org/t/verses-for-recollection-of-the-buddha/1734/2 "2025-03-23T03:26:57Z")

</div>

You might like the “Signature Theme Chant at Pa-Auk”

> ## [Mahā Namakkārapāḷi](https://ancient-buddhist-texts.net/Texts-and-Translations/Chanting-for-Meditators/00-Daily-2-Evening-Chants.htm)
> 
> ## The Great Reverence Text
> 
> **Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa (3x)**  
> Reverence to him, the Fortunate One, the Worthy One, the Perfect Sambuddha
> 
> **Sugataṁ sugataṁ seṭṭhaṁ, kusalaṁ ‘kusalaṁ jahaṁ,**  
> The one who is happy and happily excellent, who has given up wholesome and unwholesome deeds,
> 
> **Amataṁ amataṁ santaṁ, Asamaṁ Asamaṁ dadaṁ,**  
> Who found the deathless peace of the Deathless, who found the Matchless (Nibbāna), and gives the Matchless (to others),
> 
> **Saraṇaṁ saraṇaṁ lokaṁ, araṇaṁ araṇaṁ karaṁ**  
> Who found the Refuge, and is the refuge for the world, the one without passions, who makes the passions fade,
> 
> **Abhayaṁ abhayaṁ ṭhānaṁ nāyakaṁ: Nāyakaṁ name.**  
> The one without fear, who leads to that fearless place: I will revere (Lord Buddha), the Leader. [1]
> 
> **Nayanasubhagakāyaṅgaṁ,**  
> Having body and limbs lovely to the eyes,
> 
> **Madhuravarasaropetaṁ,**  
> Endowed with a noble and sweet voice,
> 
> **Amitaguṇagaṇādhāraṁ:**  
> The receptacle of many measureless virtues:
> 
> **Dasabalam-atulaṁ vande.**  
> I worship that incomparable One of Ten Powers. [2]
> 
> **Yo Buddho dhitimāññadhārako,**  
> He who is Buddha, the bearer of steadfast knowledge,
> 
> **Saṁsāre anubhosi kāyikaṁ**  
> Who underwent in the continual round of existence, both bodily
> 
> **Dukkhaṁ cetasikañ-ca lokato:**  
> And mental suffering for the sake of the world:
> 
> **Taṁ vande naradevamaṅgalaṁ.**  
> I worship Him, who is a blessing for men and gods. [3]
> 
> **Bāttiṁsatilakkhaṇacitradehaṁ,**  
> He who has the thirty-two beautiful marks on his body,
> 
> **Dehajjutiniggatapajjalantaṁ**  
> Whose body shines with an effulgence of light,
> 
> **Paññādhitisīlaguṇoghavindaṁ:**  
> Who possesses an ocean of wisdom, steadfastness, morality and virtue:
> 
> **Vande Munim-antimajātiyuttaṁ.**  
> I worship that Sage who is in his final birth. [4]
> 
> **Pātodayaṁ bāladivākaraṁ va,**  
> Like a fresh sun rising in the morning,
> 
> **Majjhe yatīnaṁ lalitaṁ sirīhi,**  
> With charming grace in the midst of those who strive,
> 
> **Puṇṇindusaṅkāsamukhaṁ, anejaṁ:**  
> Having a face like a full moon, lust-free:
> 
> **Vandāmi sabbaññum-ahaṁ Munindaṁ.**  
> I worship the omniscient Lord of Sages. [5]
> 
> **Upetapuñño, varabodhimūle**  
> Endowed with merit, at the root of the Bodhi tree
> 
> **Sasenamāraṁ Sugato jinitvā,**  
> the Happy One, after defeating Māra and his army,
> 
> **Abojjhi Bodhiṁ aruṇodayamhi:**  
> Awoke to Wisdom as the dawn broke:
> 
> **Namāmi Taṁ mārajinaṁ abhaṅgaṁ.**  
> I revere Him, the unbroken one, who defeated the (five) deaths. [6]
> 
> **Rāgādichedāmalañāṇakhaggaṁ,**  
> That one having the sword of undefiled knowledge that cuts off passion and so on,
> 
> **Satīsamaññāphalakābhigāhaṁ,**  
> Who holds up the shield known as mindfulness,
> 
> **Sīloghalaṅkāravibhūsitaṁ: Taṁ**  
> Who is adorned with the decoration of an ocean of morality: Him
> 
> **Namāmi ‘bhiññāvaram-iddhupetaṁ.**  
> I revere, the one endowed with noble knowledge and psychic power. [7]
> 
> **Dayālayaṁ sabbadhi dukkaraṁ karaṁ,**  
> That abode of sympathy, who (overcoming) difficulties everywhere,
> 
> **Bhavaṇṇavātikkamam-aggataṁ gataṁ,**  
> And, overcoming the ocean of existence, attained the highest,
> 
> **Tilokanāthaṁ susamāhitaṁ hitaṁ:**  
> The well-composed Lord of the Three Worlds who is a benefit (to others):
> 
> **Samantacakkhuṁ paṇamāmi Taṁ ‘mitaṁ.**  
> I bow down to the measureless All-Seeing One. [8]
> 
> **Tahiṁ tahiṁ pāramisañcayaṁ cayaṁ,**  
> In this place and that place he accumulated a store of perfections,
> 
> **Gataṁ gataṁ sabbhisukhappadaṁ padaṁ,**  
> He has attained the happy resting place of the virtuous,
> 
> **Narānarānaṁ sukhasambhavaṁ bhavaṁ,**  
> And is the origin and source of happiness for men and gods,
> 
> **Namānamānaṁ Jinapuṅgavaṁ gavaṁ.**  
> I revere the noble Victor, who (overcame) the disrespectful fools. [9]
> 
> **Maggaṅganāvaṁ Munidakkhanāviko,**  
> The Sage and skilful mariner ascended the ship of the Path-factors,
> 
> **Īhāphiyaṁ ñāṇakarena gāhako,**  
> Grasped with the hand of knowledge the oar of exertion,
> 
> **Āruyha yo tāya bahū bhavaṇṇavā:**  
> And crossed over the manifold ocean of existence:
> 
> **Tāresi Taṁ buddham-aghappahaṁ name.**  
> I revere Him, who understood, abandoned distress and crossed over. [10]
> 
> **Samatiṁsatipāramisambharaṇaṁ,**  
> He who fulfilled the thirty perfections equally,
> 
> **Varabodhidume Catusaccadasaṁ,**  
> Who, under the noble Bodhi tree, saw the Four Truths,
> 
> **Varam-iddhigataṁ naradevahitaṁ:**  
> Attained the noble psychic powers, which benefit gods and men:
> 
> **Tibhavūpasamaṁ paṇamāmi Jinaṁ.**  
> I bow down to the Victor, who stilled (rebirth in) the three (planes of) existence. [11]
> 
> **Satapuññajalakkhaṇikaṁ, virajaṁ,**  
> Having the marks that arose because of hundreds of merits, passionless,
> 
> **Gaganūpamadhiṁ, dhiti-Merusamaṁ,**  
> Superior like the sky, firm like (Mount) Meru,
> 
> **Jalajūpamasītalasīlayutaṁ,**  
> Cool, like the lotus, endowed with morality,
> 
> **Pathavīsahanaṁ: paṇamāmi Jinaṁ.**  
> who endures (like) the Earth: I bow down to the Victor. [12]
> 
> **Yo Buddho sumati, dive divākaro va,**  
> He who is the wise Buddha, like the sun shining in the day,
> 
> **Sobhanto ratijanane silāsanamhi,**  
> o Resplendent, producing delight, while sitting on his stone throne,
> 
> **Āsīno sivasukhadaṁ adesi Dhammaṁ,**  
> Taught the Abhidhamma, which gives the happiness of safety,
> 
> **Devānaṁ: Tam-Asadisaṁ namāmi niccaṁ.**  
> to the gods: I always revere Him who is Matchless. [13]
> 
> **Yo pādapaṅkajamuduttalarājikehi,**  
> He who has tender skin on his lotus feet,
> 
> **Lokehi tīhi ‘vikalehi nirākulehi,**  
> Who is unconfused, not lacking (in knowledge) about the three worlds,
> 
> **Sampāpuṇe nirupameyyatam-eva, Nātho**  
> Who has attained the incomparable, the Lord
> 
> **Taṁ sabbalokamahitaṁ asamaṁ namāmi.**  
> Who is unequalled and honoured by the whole world: I revere Him. [14]
> 
> **Buddhaṁ narānarasamosaraṇaṁ dhitattaṁ,**  
> The Buddha with steady mind, who brought together men and gods,
> 
> **Paññāpadīpajutiyā vihatandhakāraṁ,**  
> Who, with the lustre of the light of wisdom destroyed the darkness (of ignorance),
> 
> **Atthābhikāmanaradevahitāvahaṁ, Taṁ**  
> He who greatly desires the welfare and benefit of men and gods, Him
> 
> **Vandāmi, kāruṇikam-aggam-anantañāṇaṁ.**  
> I worship, the great compassionate (Buddha), with infinite knowledge. [15]
> 
> **Akhilaguṇanidhāno yo Munindopagantvā**  
> The deposit of all virtues, the Lord of Sages, who, after approaching
> 
> **Vanam-Isipatanavhaṁ, saññatānaṁ niketaṁ,**  
> The Wood called Isipatana, the abode of those restrained,
> 
> **Tahim-akusalachedaṁ Dhammacakkaṁ pavatto:**  
> And rolling the Dhamma-Wheel, which cut off unwholesomeness in that place:
> 
> **Tam-atulam-abhikantaṁ vandaneyyaṁ namāmi.**  
> I revere Him of incomparable beauty, who should be worshipped. [16]
> 
> **Suciparivāritaṁ, surucirappabhāhi rattaṁ,**  
> Surrounded by the pure, brilliant with beautiful radiance,
> 
> **Sirivisarālayaṁ gupitam-indriyeh’ upetaṁ,**  
> The abode of many glories, endowed with guarded senses,
> 
> **Ravisasimaṇḍalappabhutilakkhaṇopacittaṁ:**  
> And beautiful marks beginning with the disk of the sun and the moon:
> 
> **Suranarapūjitaṁ Sugatam-ādaraṁ namāmi.**  
> I revere with respect the Happy One, worshipped by gods and men. [17]
> 
> **Maggoḷumpena muhapaṭighāsādi-ullolavīciṁ**  
> o With the raft of the Path, he crossed over the waves and currents of delusion, anger and desire
> 
> **Saṁsāroghaṁ tari; tam-abhayaṁ pārapattaṁ, pajānaṁ**  
> o The ocean of existences; the fearless one fully crossed over, and he established humanity’s
> 
> **Tāṇaṁ leṇaṁ asamasaraṇaṁ ekatitthaṁ patiṭṭhaṁ:**  
> Shelter, safety and unequalled refuge, the one (true) haven:
> 
> **Puññakkhettaṁ paramasukhadaṁ Dhammarājaṁ namāmi.**  
> I revere the King of the Dhamma, that field of merit, who gives the ultimate bliss. [18]
> 
> **Kaṇḍambaṁ mūle parahitakaro yo Munindo nisinno,**  
> The Lord of Sages sitting at the root of the Kaṇḍamba tree, seeking the benefit of others,
> 
> **Accheraṁ sīghaṁ nayanasubhagaṁ ākulaṇṇaggijālaṁ,**  
> o Quickly wrought a wonder by scattering water and fire that was pleasing to the eyes,
> 
> **Dujjāladdhaṁsaṁ, Munibhi ‘jahitaṁ pāṭiheraṁ akāsi:**  
> Destroying the false net (of views), this miracle was not left undone by the Sage:
> 
> **Vande Taṁ, seṭṭhaṁ paramaratijaṁ iddhidhammeh’ upetaṁ.**  
> I worship Him, the praised origin of supreme delight, endowed with psychic power. [19]
> 
> **Munindakko yeko dayudayaruṇo ñāṇavitthiṇṇabimbo,**  
> That clever Sage, who is the rising dawn of compassion, having extensive knowledge,
> 
> **Vineyyappāṇoghaṁ kamalakathitaṁ Dhammaraṁsīvarehi,**  
> Who leads over the watery ocean what are called lotuses with the noble rays of his Dhamma,
> 
> **Subodhesī suddhe tibhavakuhare byāpitakkittinañ-ca,**  
> And awakens the pure of heart in the pit of the three worlds, widely-renowned,
> 
> **Tilokekaccakkhuṁ dukham-asahanaṁ: Taṁ Mahesiṁ namāmi.**  
> The one (wisdom) eye of the three worlds, who endured suffering: I revere Him, the Great Sage. [20]
> 
> **Yo Jino anekajātiyaṁ, saputtadāram-aṅgajīvitam-pi,**  
> o That Victor who, in countless lives, gave both his children and wife, his limbs and life,
> 
> **Bodhipemato alaggamānaso adāsi yeva atthikassa,**  
> Without a clinging mind, for love of Awakening, to he who desired it,
> 
> **Dānapāramiṁ tato paraṁ apūri sīlapāramādikam-pi,**  
> And after the perfection of generosity fulfilled the others, like the perfection of virtue and so on,
> 
> **Tāsam-iddhiyopayātam-Aggataṁ: Tam-Ekadīpakaṁ namāmi.**  
> And reached the Highest through their (inherent) power: I revere Him, the one (true) Island. [21]
> 
> **Devādevātidevaṁ nidhanavapudharaṁ mārabhaṅgaṁ abhaṅgaṁ**  
> The Great God above all gods, bearing his last body, having broken the (five) killers, unbroken (himself),
> 
> **Dīpaṁ dīpaṁ pajānaṁ, jayavarasayane Bodhipattaṁ ‘dhipattaṁ**  
> Who spread the light of wisdom on people, and attained Awakening on the noble victory seat,
> 
> **Brahmābrahmāgatānaṁ varagirakathikaṁ pāpahīnaṁ pahīnaṁ**  
> Surrounded by brahmas and others, speaking with a noble voice, having given up low actions,
> 
> **Lokālokābhirāmaṁ: satatam-abhiname Taṁ Munindaṁ Munindaṁ.**  
> Greatly delighting the worlds: I always greatly revere Him, the Lord of Sages, the Lord of the (five) Sages. [22]
> 
> **Buddho nigrodhabimbo mudukaracaraṇo brahmaghoseṇijaṅgho,**  
> The Buddha, having a form like the banyan tree, soft hands and feet, a voice like brahma, calves like an antelope,
> 
> **Kosacchādaṅgajāto, punar-api Sugato suppatiṭṭhitapādo,**  
> And a foreskin that covers the organ, the Happy One, with steady feet,
> 
> **Mūdodātuṇṇalomo, atham-api Sugato brahmujuggattabhāvo,**  
> Soft hair between the brows, the Happy One, straight-limbed (like) a brahma,
> 
> **Nīlakkhī dīghapaṇhī sukhumamalachavī, thomyarasaggasaggī,**  
> Having blue eyes, long heels, exquisite skin, whose taste buds are the very best, [23]
> 
> **Cattālīsaggadanto samakalapanajo antaraṁsappapīno,**  
> Having forty of the best teeth, even teeth, a full back between the shoulders,
> 
> **Cakkenaṅkītapādo aviraḷadasano, Māraj’ ussaṅkhapādo,**  
> Wheel-marked feet, unflawed teeth, He who defeated the killers, having high ankles,
> 
> **Tiṭṭhanto nonamanto ‘bhayakaramudunā jaṇṇukānāmasanto,**  
> Who, while standing, without bending, with both his soft hands, can touch his knees,
> 
> **Vaṭṭakkhandho, Jino gotaruṇapakhumako sīhapubbaḍḍhakāyo,**  
> Whose body is round, the Victor, having eyelashes like an ox, the upper half of whose body is like a lion, [24]
> 
> **Sattappīno ca dīghaṅguli-m-atha Sugato lomakūpekalomo,**  
> Having seven fat areas, long fingers, the Happy One, with one hair to a vesicle,
> 
> **Sampannodātadāṭho kanakasamataco nīlamuddhaggalomo,**  
> Full white teeth, smooth, golden skin, with black hair on the top of his head,
> 
> **Sambuddho, thūlajivho atha sīhahanuko jālikappādahattho,**  
> The Sambuddha, having a broad tongue, then a lion-like jaw, webbed feet and hands,
> 
> **Nātho uṇhīsasīso itiguṇasahitaṁ: Taṁ Mahesiṁ namāmi.**  
> Whose head has a crown, the Lord endowed with these (thirty-two) qualities: I revere Him, the Great Sage. [25]
> 
> **“Buddho, Buddho” ti ghoso atidulabhataro kā kathā Buddhabhāvo?**  
> o The sound, “Buddha, Buddha” is extremely rare in the world, what to say of Buddhahood?
> 
> **Loke tasmā vibhāvī vividhahitasukhaṁ sādhavo patthayantā,**  
> Therefore the wise and good, wishing for various sorts of benefit and happiness,
> 
> **Iṭṭhaṁ atthaṁ vahantaṁ suranaramahitaṁ nibbhayaṁ dakkhiṇeyyaṁ,**  
> o Desiring their (true) welfare, should always revere Him, who is fearless, worthy, honoured by gods and men,
> 
> **Lokānaṁ nandivaḍḍhaṁ Dasabalam-asamaṁ, Taṁ namassantu niccaṁ.**  
> The incomparable One of Ten Powers, who increases the happiness of the world. [26]

ref: [Chanting for Meditators - Daily Evening Chants](https://ancient-buddhist-texts.net/Texts-and-Translations/Chanting-for-Meditators/00-Daily-2-Evening-Chants.htm)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gijjhakuta](https://classicaltheravada.org/user_avatar/classicaltheravada.org/gijjhakuta/32/1398_2.png) [@Gijjhakuta](https://classicaltheravada.org/u/Gijjhakuta)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 3:50am UTC](https://classicaltheravada.org/t/verses-for-recollection-of-the-buddha/1734/3 "2025-03-23T03:50:28Z")

</div>

The verses at the end of the Upali Sutta are quite nice too.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![HappinessSeeker](https://classicaltheravada.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/67e7ee/32.png) [@HappinessSeeker](https://classicaltheravada.org/u/HappinessSeeker)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 4:38am UTC](https://classicaltheravada.org/t/verses-for-recollection-of-the-buddha/1734/4 "2025-03-23T04:38:25Z")

</div>

Yes, Venerable Sir. This is a great chant. I plan to memorize this one day.