The Virtues of the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha (Itipiso)

The "Itipiso" chant sums up the virtues of the Triple Gem in a total of 24 (9 virtues of the Buddha + 6 of the Dhamma + 9 of the Sangha) — recurring in the six recollections and in every level of recollecting the Triple Gem. In the chanting of the paritta it serves as a "review of the heart of faith" before entering the Buddha-Jaya-Maṅgala verses.

This chant functions as a "reaffirmation of the Three Jewels" once more — for the Ratana Sutta in the middle already raised up the Triple Gem in the sense of "the most precious jewels," but here it is spoken of in the sense of its "24 virtues," which are the very heart of faith.

Full Recitation Text (for Chanting)

The continuous recitation of all three parts, from the virtues of the Buddha and the Dhamma through to the virtues of the Sangha, ready to chant straight through.

Translation and Explanation

The following is the translation and explanation of the meaning, part by part. The original Pali of each part has its own copy button. This chant is divided into three parts: the 9 virtues of the Buddha → the 6 virtues of the Dhamma → the 9 virtues of the Sangha.

Part 1 — The 9 Virtues of the Buddha

The nine virtues of the Buddha

• arahaṃ — far from defilements, worthy of veneration, breaking the spokes of the wheel of saṃsāra

• sammāsambuddho — having realized all things rightly by himself

• vijjācaraṇasampanno — perfect in the three (or eight) knowledges and the fifteen kinds of conduct

• sugato — well-gone (to a good place, by a good path, speaking well)

• lokavidū — knower of the three worlds: the world of formations, the world of beings, and the world of location

• anuttaro purisadammasārathi — the supreme trainer of persons fit to be trained

• satthā devamanussānaṃ — the teacher of gods and human beings

• buddho — one who knows, one who awakens, one who blossoms

• bhagavā — the blessed one, endowed with fortune, virtue, and majesty

Part 2 — The 6 Virtues of the Dhamma

The six virtues of the Dhamma

• svākkhāto — well-expounded (good in the beginning, the middle, and the end)

• sandiṭṭhiko — to be seen for oneself by the practitioner, without having to believe the words of another

• akāliko — not bound by time (bearing fruit at once, not to be waited for)

• ehipassiko — inviting one to come and see, challenging one to prove it

• opanayiko — to be brought into oneself; once seen, to be applied within the mind

• paccattaṃ veditabbo viññūhi — to be known individually by the wise; the wise know it within their own minds

Part 3 — The 9 Virtues of the Sangha

The nine virtues of the Sangha, divided into two groups

The group of virtues of practice (the first four)

• supaṭipanno — practicing well

• ujupaṭipanno — practicing uprightly

• ñāyapaṭipanno — practicing for knowledge

• sāmīcipaṭipanno — practicing fittingly (in accord with the way of the Dhamma)

Followed by the explanation that this Sangha is the four pairs of persons, the eight individuals = the Noble Sangha in four pairs (the stream-enterer, the once-returner, the non-returner, and the arahant × the pair of path and fruit).

The group of virtues as a field of merit (the last five)

• āhuneyyo — worthy of gifts (offerings brought to present)

• pāhuneyyo — worthy of hospitality (things prepared to welcome guests)

• dakkhiṇeyyo — worthy of offerings (the gift of dakkhiṇā)

• añjalikaraṇīyo — worthy of reverential salutation (the añjali)

• anuttaraṃ puññakkhettaṃ lokassa — the unsurpassed field of merit for the world

Appendix — The Overall Import of the Itipiso

In the chanting of this paritta, the Itipiso serves as a "reaffirmation of the Three Jewels" once more before entering the Buddha-Jaya-Maṅgala verses — for the Ratana Sutta in the middle already raised up the Triple Gem in the sense of "the most precious jewels," but here it is spoken of in the sense of its "24 virtues" (9 of the Buddha + 6 of the Dhamma + 9 of the Sangha), which are the very heart of faith — a "review" before these virtues of the Buddha are used to draw forth the victory-blessings in the following verses.