[Verse 1]
Two mighty armies faced the fight,
Their weapons shining in the night.
Anger and hatred filled the air,
No peace or kindness anywhere.
Then Padumuttara appeared,
His loving words removed their fear.
He taught them how the mind can see,
The path to peace and harmony.
[Chorus]
I take refuge in the Buddha,
In his wisdom, love, and light.
I take refuge in the Dhamma,
Guiding me to what is right.
I take refuge in the Sangha,
Those who walk the peaceful way.
Let compassion fill our hearts,
And let hatred fade away.
[Verse 2]
The armies laid their weapons down,
No more the battle, no more frowns.
They bowed before the Buddha's grace,
And peace arose in every place.
Saraṇāgamaniya found his way,
Through faith and wisdom day by day.
One hundred thousand aeons passed,
His refuge in the Buddha held fast.
[Chorus]
I take refuge in the Buddha,
In his wisdom, love, and light.
I take refuge in the Dhamma,
Guiding me to what is right.
I take refuge in the Sangha,
Those who walk the peaceful way.
Let compassion fill our hearts,
And let hatred fade away.
[Bridge]
Four analytical knowledges,
Eight liberations shining bright.
Six higher knowledges attained,
The Buddha's teaching fully realized.
[Final Verse]
No sword can conquer hatred's flame,
No war can end the cycle's pain.
Begin with peace within your heart,
And let a kinder world now start.
[Outro]
The Buddha is our guiding light,
The Dhamma makes our vision bright.
The Sangha shows the noble way,
May peace prevail throughout each day.
The Story of Venerable Saraṇāgamaniya Thera
Title: The Merit of Taking the Buddha as One's Refuge
The story of Venerable Saraṇāgamaniya Thera is recorded in the Khuddaka Nikāya, Apadāna, Mahāparivāravagga, in the Pali Canon, Volume 32.
In a former existence, two powerful divine kings and their armies were preparing for battle. Their troops gathered in large formations, armed with weapons and armor. The atmosphere was filled with noise, tension, and the threat of violence.
At that critical moment, the Buddha named Padumuttara, the Knower of the World and the Worthy One, appeared standing in the sky. Out of compassion, he taught the Dhamma to the assembled beings, inspiring them to reflect on the consequences of hatred and harmful intentions.
The Buddha explained that a person who harbors an evil mind and harms even a single living being creates the conditions for an unfortunate rebirth. He urged everyone to calm their minds and abandon anger rather than repeatedly allowing themselves to be overwhelmed by hostility.
The Buddha's teaching brought about a remarkable transformation. The gods became joyful, laid down their armor and weapons, paid homage to the Fully Enlightened Buddha, and united in taking refuge in him.
The armies of both divine and spirit kings also gathered together and accepted the Buddha as their refuge. Thus, a conflict that was about to result in violence was transformed into an occasion of peace and unity.
Venerable Saraṇāgamaniya Thera recalled that he had been among the first to take refuge in the Buddha. He declared that throughout one hundred thousand aeons, he had never been reborn in an unfortunate destination.
He also recalled that, in the thirty thousand aeons preceding the present era, there had been sixteen Universal Monarchs, whose names included Mahādundubhi and Rathesabha in the Pali textual tradition.
Finally, he declared that he had realized the four analytical knowledges (Paṭisambhidā), the eight liberations (Vimokkha), and the six higher knowledges (Abhiññā).
He concluded with the declaration:
"I have fulfilled the Buddha's teaching."
The Dhamma Teachings
The story conveys five important lessons:
Taking refuge in the Buddha means accepting his wisdom and compassion as a guide for life.
Anger and hatred must be restrained before they lead to harmful actions.
Non-violence and compassion are essential foundations of peaceful coexistence.
True peace arises through wisdom, understanding, and the transformation of the mind.
Faith accompanied by wholesome actions and spiritual practice can become a foundation for liberation.
The Life of Venerable Saraṇāgamaniya Thera
According to the Apadāna commentary, he had accumulated wholesome deeds through many previous lives. During the time of Buddha Padumuttara, he was born as a divine king in the Himalayan region.
After hearing the Buddha's teaching, he and the opposing divine forces abandoned their weapons and took refuge in the Buddha.
In a later existence during the dispensation of Buddha Gotama, he was born into a respectable family, developed faith in the Buddha's teaching, entered the monastic life, and attained arahantship not long after ordination.
His story reminds us that the true value of taking refuge lies not merely in words, but in transforming the mind through wisdom, compassion, and non-violence.
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