[Intro]
The world is burning with three fires,
Greed and hatred feed desires.
Delusion hides the truth from sight,
Who will lead us toward the light?
[Verse 1]
In ancient Candavati long ago,
A devoted son had much to show.
His parents were blind, he cared each day,
Though he longed to renounce the worldly way.
He sat alone and wondered why,
The world was lost beneath the sky.
The Buddha's wisdom had appeared,
A path of freedom now was clear.
[Chorus]
Buddhaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi,
Dhammaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi,
Saṅghaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi,
Three Refuges to light the way.
Keep the Five Precepts every day,
Let wisdom guide the words we say.
With faith and kindness in our hearts,
The journey to true freedom starts.
[Verse 2]
To Venerable Nisabha he came,
To take refuge in the Buddha's name.
He kept the Three Refuges sincere,
For countless years without a fear.
When life was over, he was reborn,
Where heavenly lights and joy adorned.
Through many lives his goodness grew,
Until the Buddha's Dhamma came anew.
[Verse 3]
A little child of seven years,
He heard the Dhamma, free from fears.
He remembered the refuges of old,
A precious truth more worth than gold.
He sat in meditation deep,
Where wisdom awakened from its sleep.
He reached arahantship, free and bright,
And overcame the darkest night.
[Bridge]
Honor your parents, show gratitude,
Let faith be joined with wisdom's truth.
Keep your precepts, calm your mind,
Leave greed and hatred far behind.
Do not wait for another day,
The path to freedom starts today.
With mindfulness and wisdom clear,
A peaceful world will soon appear.
[Final Chorus]
Buddhaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi,
Dhammaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi,
Saṅghaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi,
Three Refuges, our guiding light.
Keep the Five Precepts, live with care,
Let compassion everywhere be shared.
Extinguish greed, hatred, and delusion,
And walk the path to liberation.
[Outro]
Whether young or old we may be,
The path of truth can set us free.
Faith, morality, and wisdom bright,
Will guide our hearts toward the light.
The Apadāna of the Elder Tisaraṇagamaniya: The Power of Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels
Tipiṭaka, Volume 32, Sutta Piṭaka, Volume 24, Khuddaka Nikāya, Apadāna, Subhūti Vagga, Tisaraṇagamaniya Thera Apadāna No. 23
1. The Background and Story
The Tisaraṇagamaniya Thera Apadāna tells the story of a man who devoted his life to caring for his blind parents in the ancient city of Candavatī during the time of Vipassī Buddha.
Because of his responsibility toward his parents, he could not renounce worldly life and become a monk, although he deeply wished to pursue the spiritual path.
One day, while sitting alone in a quiet place, he reflected on the suffering of the world.
He realized that beings were blinded by ignorance and burned by the three fires of greed, hatred, and delusion.
He also understood that the Buddha had appeared in the world and that the Dhamma was flourishing. Those who sincerely wished to develop goodness could therefore find a way to free themselves from suffering.
Although he could not become a monk, he decided to take refuge in the Three Jewels and faithfully maintain that commitment.
He approached Venerable Nisabha, the chief disciple of Vipassī Buddha, and formally took refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.
At that time, he was one hundred thousand years old. He maintained the Three Refuges faithfully throughout the remainder of his life.
After death, through the wholesome kamma associated with this practice, he was reborn in the Tāvatiṃsa heaven.
The Apadāna describes eight favorable qualities that accompanied his subsequent rebirths:
He received respect from people in every direction.
He possessed sharp wisdom.
Celestial beings followed his guidance.
He enjoyed uninterrupted prosperity.
His complexion was radiant like gold.
He possessed excellent intelligence and eloquence.
He remained steadfast in his friendships.
He enjoyed great honor and reputation.
He also became the king of the devas eighty times, a universal monarch seventy-five times, and a prosperous regional ruler countless times.
2. His Final Birth and Attainment of Arahantship
In his final existence, he was born into an exceptionally wealthy Brahmin family in Sāvatthī.
One evening, while playing with other children, he entered a monastery.
There he encountered an enlightened elder who had completely eradicated mental defilements.
The elder taught him the Dhamma and guided him in taking refuge in the Three Jewels.
Upon hearing the teaching, the young boy immediately remembered that he had faithfully maintained the Three Refuges in a previous life.
He then developed insight meditation and attained arahantship while sitting on a seat.
Remarkably, he was only seven years old.
The Buddha recognized his spiritual attainment and granted him ordination into the Buddhist Sangha.
The elder subsequently declared that the wholesome deeds he had performed had borne fruit. He had experienced worldly prosperity, attained spiritual excellence, and finally reached the unshakable state of liberation.
He encouraged others to take refuge in the Three Jewels, observe the Five Precepts, and cultivate faith in the Buddha.
3. The Seven Principal Buddhist Teachings
1. The Three Refuges
The Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha provide the spiritual foundation for a meaningful life.
Taking refuge should be accompanied by understanding and actual practice.
2. Gratitude toward Parents
Caring for one's parents is a profound expression of gratitude and moral responsibility.
3. Faith and Confidence
Faith provides the foundation for spiritual development, but it should be guided by wisdom and understanding.
4. The Five Precepts
Moral discipline protects individuals and society from harmful actions and creates the foundation for peaceful coexistence.
5. The Three Fires
Greed, hatred, and delusion are the three fires that keep beings trapped in suffering.
6. The Accumulation of Wholesome Actions
Good actions create favorable conditions for spiritual development. However, the ultimate goal is liberation rather than worldly prosperity.
7. Mindfulness and Diligence
Life is uncertain. Therefore, people should not postpone practicing the Dhamma, cultivating virtue, and developing wisdom.
4. Lessons for Modern Society
The story of Tisaraṇagamaniya provides important lessons for contemporary life.
In families, it encourages gratitude and care for elderly parents.
In education, it promotes honesty, discipline, and responsibility.
In organizations, it supports transparency and ethical leadership.
In society, it encourages compassion, peaceful coexistence, and respect for others.
In technology, it emphasizes the importance of wisdom and ethical responsibility.
5. Conclusion
The Tisaraṇagamaniya Thera Apadāna demonstrates that spiritual development is not limited by age, wealth, or social position.
Even while fulfilling family responsibilities, a person can cultivate faith, morality, and wisdom.
The remarkable attainment of arahantship at the age of seven illustrates the importance of accumulated wholesome conditions and the transformative power of the Dhamma.
Taking refuge provides the foundation, morality provides protection, and wisdom leads to liberation.
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