ཟླ་བའ་མད 1

1

Homage to the Three Jewels!

Thus did I hear at one time. The Blessed One was dwelling on the bank of Traveler’s Pond in the country of Campā.¹³ At that time, the entire moon was covered by Rāhu, lord of the asuras.¹⁴ Then the god who dwells on the disk of the moon, frightened, terrified, and dismayed,¹⁵ approached the Blessed One, bowed his head to the Blessed One’s feet, and sat to one side. He then appealed to him in verse:

“I pay homage to you,
Thoroughly liberated, heroic Buddha!
I am in distress.
Please grant me refuge!

“Candramas took refuge
In the Worthy One in the world, the Well-Gone One.
Therefore, free the moon from Rāhu!
Buddhas have compassion for the world.”

The Blessed One said:

“Rāhu! The moon dispels darkness.
Illuminating the sky,
It is radiant,