Read, reflect, pray
Taking and affirming the Three Refuges
三帰三竟
Words taking refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, followed by an affirmation of having taken refuge. The two parts are kept distinct.
English meaning and source text
English meaning
About this English rendering
This site’s English rendering of the Japanese meaning guide, aligned with this edition. It is separate from the source words for recitation and is not an official liturgy. Sacred sounds are explained where possible, not given speculative literal translations. Historical beliefs, royal authority, illness and protection claims belong to the text; they are not present-day judgments, medical advice or guarantees of results.
Section 1
We, the Buddha’s disciples, from this present body until the end of the future, make these aspirations:
We take refuge in the honored Buddha, perfected in both wisdom and compassionate practice.
Ryōsok Son praises the Buddha as endowed with two virtues. Here it is read as wisdom and the virtue of practice, not literally as having two feet.
We take refuge in the honored teaching that frees attachment to desire.
We take refuge in companions walking the Buddha’s way, honored among communities.
Section 2
We, the Buddha’s disciples, from this present body until the end of the future, uphold that aspiration.
We have taken refuge in the Buddha.
We have taken refuge in the Buddha’s teaching.
We have taken refuge in the community walking the Buddha’s way.
Source text and reading aid
Roman letters are provided for every line of this source text.
How to use the Roman letters
Roman letters follow the kana displayed in this site’s Japanese reader; some readings are editorial additions documented on the Japanese page. These are a reading aid, not restored Sanskrit or a recording of a temple’s chanting. Historical spellings (such as wo, wi, we and ha used as a particle) are kept. Double vowels and repeated vowels mark the written kana; rhythm and pronunciation can differ by tradition.
You can simply read the meaning or sit quietly. No recitation is required. For a temple or shrine’s own recitation, follow that tradition’s published guidance.
我弟子等願従今身尽未来際
gadeshitou ganjuukonjin jinmiraisai
帰依仏両足尊
kiebutsuryouzokuson
帰依法離欲尊
kiehouriyokuson
帰依僧衆中尊
kiesoushujuuson
我弟子等願従今身尽未来際
gadeshitou ganjuukonjin jinmiraisai
帰依仏竟
kiebukkyou
帰依法竟
kiehoukyou
帰依僧竟
kiesoukyou
Sources and edition (1)
English explanations on this page were prepared by Inori no Mori from the cited text and its Japanese explanations. They are not an official translation or a prescribed liturgy.