Have you ever been to a Buddhist temple or had an encounter at a Lao occasion, and often hear of the phrase that begins with "Namo tassa..."?
This is called the Buddhist Veneration.
In Theravada Buddhist tradition, it is customary to pay homage to the Buddha and to recite the Three Refuges when visiting a place of worship at the start of a ceremony. The following stanza is recited and administered by monks. The veneration is a simple way to pay respect for Buddha's teachings.
Below is the transliteration and English translation of the chant:
Vandana (Homage) x3
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Honour to the Blessed One, the Exalted One, the fully Enlightened One
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Honour to the Blessed One, the Exalted One, the fully Enlightened One
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Honour to the Blessed One, the Exalted One, the fully Enlightened One
Tisarana (The Three Refuges)
Buddham saranam gacchami
I go to the Buddha as my refuge
Dhammam saranam gacchami
I go to the Dhamma as my refuge
Sangham saranam gacchami
I go to the Sangha as my refuge
Dutiyampi Buddham Saranam gacchami
For the second time, I go to the Buddha for my refuge
Dutiyampi Dhammam Saranam gacchami
For the second time, I go to the Dhamma for my refuge
Dutiyampi Sangham Saranam gacchami
For the second time, I go to the Sangha for my refuge
Tatiyampi Buddham Saranam gacchami
For the third time, I go to the Buddha for my refuge
Tatiyampi Dhammam Saranam gacchami
For the third time, I go to the Dhamma for my refuge
Tatiyampi Sangham Saranam gacchami
For the third time, I go to the Sangha for my refuge
You can also find an audio of the chant here
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