Abridged water offering chant after almsgiving. This is one form of making merit and dedicating merit to those who have passed away. After offering alms, water is poured into a vessel or onto the ground while reciting the water offering chant, followed by spreading loving-kindness to the deceased and all beings.
. Water offering is the act of pouring water. In Buddhism, it is commonly done to dedicate merit to the deceased. Water offering can be performed in two ways:
Additionally, there is the " dry water offering " which requires no water or container. One simply makes merit, sets a sincere intention, and then recites the loving-kindness chant.
Itang me nyatinang honotu sukhita honotu nyatayo
Translation: May this merit be granted to all my relatives. May all my relatives be well and happy.
(Introduction) Hantha mayang uttisanathithana kathayo phanama se,
imina punyakammena upachaya kunuttara
achariyupakara cha matapita cha nyataka
suriyo chantima raja kunavanta narapi cha
bhramamara cha inda chatu lokapala cha devata
yamo mitta manussa cha majjatta werikapi cha
sappe satta sukhi honotu punyani pakatani me
sukhanja tivithang ten tu khippa pang pate vo matang
imina punyakammena imina uttisena cha
khippahang sulaphe jewa tanhupathanachetang
ye santane hina dhamma yava nippanato mama
nassantu sappatayewa yattha chato bhave bhave
uchujitang satipanya salleko viriyamhina
mara lapanthu nokasang katuj cha viriyesu me
buddhatipavaro nato dammo nato varuttamo
nato paccekaputto cha sangho natottaro mama
tesottamano pabhavena marokasang lapanthu ma.
Translation: The Imina water offering chant is recited after almsgiving or merit-making. It dedicates merit to ancestors, deceased relatives, benefactors such as spiritual teachers, parents, deities, and all beings, so they may receive merit. It also enhances the merit for oneself, aiming to cultivate wisdom and progress in both worldly and spiritual matters, and to prosper in life through good deeds.
Many people have heard the water offering chant starting with the word " Yatha ", which is known as the Anumodanarampa chant. Monks recite this to prepare participants to receive blessings. When they reach the phrase " Yatha warivaha... ", they begin pouring water continuously until finishing at the phrase " Mani chotiraso yatha ". The full Yatha water offering chant is as follows.
Yatha warivaha pura paripuren ti sakarang
ewamewa ito tinna petanang upakappati
ichitang pattitang tumahang
kippamewa samicchatu
sappe purentu sangkappa
chanto pannaraso yatha
mani chotiraso yatha
Translation: Just as a river filled with water completes the ocean, so too the merit you have offered benefits those who have passed on. May the results you desire and intend be fulfilled immediately. May all your thoughts be perfected like the full moon and a bright jewel.
After finishing the phrase " Mani chotiraso yatha ", it is followed by the common Anumodana chant beginning with " Sapphito ", where participants stop pouring water and join hands in respect to listen to the final blessing.
Sapphito vivacchantu
sappharo ko vinassatu
ma te bhavatwan tarayo
sukhi thigayuko bhava
Sapphito vivacchantu
sappharo ko vinassatu
ma te bhavatwan tarayo
sukhi thigayuko bhava
Sapphito vivacchantu
sappharo ko vinassatu
ma te bhavatwan tarayo
sukhi thigayuko bhava
apivatanasila nitchang wuttapachayino
chattaro dhamma wattannti
ayu wanno sukang phalang
However, the most important aspect of water offering whether short or full version, is having a firm, sincere intention to dedicate merit with a pure heart.
Information courtesy: Royal Institute.