Namo Tassa: Thai Chanting at Temples in Thailand

If you have visited a Thai temple during any kind of ceremony or merit making, you likely have heard monks leading the “Namo Tassa” chant, which is a fundamental recitation in Theravada Buddhism (the religion of Thailand) — and a chant which always precedes any other Thai chanting.

The Namo Tassa comes from the Pali language, and is recited not only in Thailand but by Buddhists worldwide. It’s most commonly written in English as:

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammasambuddhassa

In the Thai language it is spelled:
นะโม ตัสสะ ภะคะวะโต อะระหะโต สัมมาสัมพุทธัสสะ

which when spelled phonetically in English is:
ná-moh dtàssà phá-ká-wá-dtoh a-rá-hà-dtoh săm-maa-săm-phút-thassa

The chant is usually translated as “Homage to the Triple Gem,” as it is always delivered three times. The Triple Gem refers to:

1. The Buddha: The Enlightened One who discovered the path to liberation from suffering.

2. The Dharma: The teachings of the Buddha, which serve as the path to enlightenment.

3. The Sangha: The community of monks, nuns, and lay practitioners who follow the Buddha’s teachings and support each other on the path.

However, the fully translated meaning of the chant is a little different, which is seen when the translation is broken down word for word:

Namo means “homage” or “adoration”.
Tassa means “of him” or “of that”.
Bhagavato means “blessed one” or “exalted one”
Arahato means “worthy one” or “arahant” (perfected one).
Sammasambuddhassa means “fully enlightened one”.

Putting it all together:

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammasambuddhassa translates to: “Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Fully Enlightened One.”

This chant is a way for Thai Buddhists to acknowledge the Buddha’s enlightenment, while expressing a deep reverence and devotion to the Buddha as the ultimate guide on the path to liberation from suffering.

The Namo Tassa Delivered as a Song at a Temple Cave in Sakon Nakhon

The Origin of the Namo Tassa Chant

According to legend in Thailand, after the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, he initially hesitated to teach the Dharma to others, doubting whether anyone would understand his profound insights. As he pondered this, Brahma Sahampati (the Buddha’s spirit guide) appeared before him and implored him to teach, recognizing the potential for human beings to benefit from his wisdom.

Read the Full and Newly Edited Version of This Essay
in Why Thailand: Short Essays on Thai Culture, Language, and Life

Ajarn David

Ajarn at Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University

Ajarn David is an educator, writer, and podcaster who has been working with Thai universities for over 20 years. He is the author of "Why Thailand" (Short Essays on Thai Culture, Language, and Life), "Life Lessons from Isaan" and the bilingual poetry collection "Poems from Sakhon". He lives with his Thai wife and daughters on a farm in Sakon Nakhon (Northeast Thailand).