बुद्धं शरणं गच्छामि । धम्मं शरणं गच्छामि । सङ्घं शरणं गच्छामि ॥
Buddham Sharanam Gacchami
Bud-dham Sha-ra-nam Gac-cha-mi, Dham-mam Sha-ra-nam Gac-cha-mi, San-gham Sha-ra-nam Gac-cha-mi
Listen & Chant Along
Listen & chant along — performed by Deva Premal & Miten
"I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha"
Meaning & Translation
Sanskrit
बुद्धं शरणं गच्छामि । धम्मं शरणं गच्छामि । सङ्घं शरणं गच्छामि ॥
Transliteration
Bud-dham Sha-ra-nam Gac-cha-mi, Dham-mam Sha-ra-nam Gac-cha-mi, San-gham Sha-ra-nam Gac-cha-mi
Pronunciation
BOOD-dahm SHAH-rah-nahm gah-CHAH-mee, DAHM-mahm SHAH-rah-nahm gah-CHAH-mee, SAHN-gahm SHAH-rah-nahm gah-CHAH-mee
Deity / Quality Invoked
Buddha
Full Translation
This is the Triple Refuge (Tisarana), the oldest and most universal Buddhist chant: "I go for refuge to the Buddha (the awakened one); I go for refuge to the Dhamma (the teaching); I go for refuge to the Sangha (the community of practitioners)." Reciting it three times is how one formally becomes — and daily renews being — a Buddhist.
Spiritual Significance
Taking refuge is not an escape but an orientation: turning toward awakening, truth, and community as the reliable ground of one's life. The three refuges are called the Three Jewels, and chanting them settles the practitioner in confidence and humility at once.
Cultural Context & History
Composed in Pali, the liturgical language of early Buddhism, the Tisarana has been chanted continuously for some 2,500 years across Theravada Asia and beyond. Deva Premal's "Buddham Sharanam" (on the album "Deva" and revisited with Nicki Wells as "The Three Jewels") brought the refuge chant into Western mantra music.
For Leaders
Chords and structure for leading this chant on harmonium or guitar — transcribed from the linked recording. New to leading? Read our guide to leading kirtan →
Original key
E
Tempo & feel
Gentle pulse (~92 bpm); floats more than it drives
Chord Chart
Strumming & rhythm (4/4)
D = downstrum, U = upstrum, · = let it ring. floating: one grounded down, then feather-light ups; more air than attack.
Verse
Refrain
Call & Response Structure
The three refuges float on an unresolved A–B (IV–V) seesaw — home key E is withheld until the refrain line resolves there via C#m. That suspension is the heart of the arrangement: the ear takes refuge when the E finally lands. Works in unison or as leader-verse / group-refrain.
Terms in the Glossary
Words from this page, explained in our A–Z reference.