Sonic Pilgrimage: A Himalayan Refuge

Close your eyes and let this track transport you. This week’s feature is not merely a song, but a profound auditory pilgrimage. Titled “Tisarana” (The Three Refuges), it is a stunning, traditional arrangement of the foundational Pali prayers, designed to evoke the solitary, devotional footsteps of an ancient seeker walking through a Himalayan forest.

From the very first notes, the atmosphere is palpable: the soulful female voice that carries the ancient, rhythmic cadence of the chants. The journey begins with a reverent homage to the “Sama Sambuddha”—the perfectly self-awakened one—before gracefully moving into the timeless, tripartite taking of refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.

This is a recording that feels less like a performance and more like a sacred discovery. It is a deep, resonant immersion into the heart of Buddhist devotion, a moment of perfect faith and peace captured in melody. For anyone seeking a sanctuary of sound, this is a breathtaking escape to a higher state of mind. An invocation for blessings and protections from all Buddhist deities.

Lyrics

Title:Tisarana

[Note: The syllabic breakdown of the lyrics was designed to help beginners pick up this chant. It doesn’t follow the pronunciation 100% to make it easier to learn.]

Namo Ta-Sah Bha-Ga-Va-toh Ah-ra-ha-toh Sa-ma-sahm buddha-sah

Namo Ta-Sah Bha-Ga-Va-toh Ah-ra-ha-toh Sa-ma-sahm buddha-sah

Namo Ta-Sah Bha-Ga-Va-toh Ah-ra-ha-toh Sa-ma-sahm buddha-sah

Bu-tahng Sa-Rah-nam ga-cha-me…
Dha-mang Sa-Rah-nam ga-chā-me…
Sahng-gahng Sa-Rah-nam ga-chā-me…

Doo-tee-yahm-pee Bu-tahng Sa-Rah-nam ga-cha-me…
Doo-tee-yahm-pee Dha-mang Sa-Rah-nam ga-chā-me…
Doo-tee-yahm-pee Sahng-gahng Sa-Rah-nam ga-chā-me…

Tah-ti-yahm-pee Bu-tahng Sa-Rah-nam ga-cha-me…
Tah-ti-yahm-pee Dha-mang Sa-Rah-nam ga-chā-me…
Tah-ti-yahm-pee Sahng-gahng Sa-Rah-nam ga-chā-me…

E-tee-pee-soh, Bha-ga-vā, Ah-ra-hung, Sa-ma-sahm-buddho, Vee-jāh-cha-ra-ṇa-sahm-pah-noh, Suu-gah-toh, lo-ka-vi-do, ah-nuu-tah-roh, puu-ree-sah-dha-ma-sah-rah-thī, Sah-thā, Day-Va Mah-nuu-sāh-nahng, Buddho Bha-gah-vah-tee…

Swa-kah-toh Bha-gah-va-tah Dha-moh, San-dee-thi-koh, ah-kah-lee-koh, Eh-he-pa-see-koh, Oh-pa-na-yee-koh, Pah-cha-tahm Vay-dee-tah-bho Vee-new-hee tee…

Suu-pa-tee-pah-noh Bha-ga-va-toh Sa-va-ker sahng-goh, Woo-joo-pah-ṭi-pah-noh Bha-ga-va-toh Sa-va-ker-sahng-goh, Nyā-yah-pa-ṭi-pannoh Bha-ga-va-toh Sa-va-ker-sahng-go, Sa-me-chi-pa-tee-pannoh Bha-ga-va-toh Sa-va-ker-sahng-go,
Yah-dee-dahm cha-ta-ri Pu-ree-sa-yoo-gah-nee Ah-tha Pu-ree-sah-poo-gala, Eh-sah Bha-ga-va-toh Sā-va-ker-sahng-go,
Ah-hoo-neigh-yoh, Pa-hoo-neigh-yoh, Dak-khi-ṇeigh-yoh, Ahn-ja-lee-ka-rah-nee-yoh, Ah-nuu-ta-rahng puu-nya-kay-tham Loh-ker-sah tee…

Sadhu..Sadhu..Sadhu…

[soft spoken with echo]

May Day-vahs and Angels protect me…

To access the song, click on My Buddhist Songs.

May all be well and happy.