The Method of Five Prostrations

Paying homage by way of the five prostrations each day is a requisite of practitioners. At a minimum, we cultivate the practice at night, just before going to sleep. Making prostrations five times before sleep is a beneficial practice, a favored practice and a foundation of practice for Buddhists on the path. The learned ones say that, in addition to making the mind peaceful and secure just before sleep, one will sleep comfortably and wake content. Before paying respect, concentrate one pointedly while bringing to mind the Triple Gem, the highest refuge, and those who have good qualities in our lives: our mothers, fathers and teachers. Bring your hands together in an añjali position and recite the homage as follows:

Homage to the Buddha

arahaṁ sammā saṁbuddho bhagavā

buddhaṁ bhagavantaṁ abhivādemi

(bow one time)

Homage to the Dhamma

svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo

dhammaṁ namassāmi

(bow one time)

Homage to the Sangha

supaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho

saṅghaṁ namāmi

(bow one time)

Homage to Mothers and Fathers

mayhaṁ mātā pitūnaṁ va

pāde vandāmi sādaraṁ

(bow one time)

Homage to Teachers

paññāvuṭṭhi karete te

dinnovāde namāmihaṁ

(bow one time)

After completing the five prostrations, turn the mind to spreading mettā, kindness, to all fellow human beings and to all sentient beings, saying:

sabbe sattā

averā hontu

avyāpajjhā hontu

anīghā hontu

sukhī attānaṁ pariharantu

May they be free from animosity. May they  be free from oppression. May they be free from dukkha in body and mind. May they have happiness of body and mind, and may they secure their freedom from all suffering and danger.

When finished, one can sleep comfortably as one wishes.

Source: สวดมนต์ภาคเหนือ ฉบับสมบูรณ์ รวบามแลเรียบเรียงโดย ยุตฺตธมฺโมภิกขุ