Discover how the Buddha ended Vaiśālī's epidemic through The Aspiration Prayer from "Destroyer of the Great Trichiliocosm" —verses praising the Three Jewels with distinctive emphasis on the Saṅgha's transformative power as a source of communal strength during crisis.
Photograph by Raul Taciu, Bhutan.
What do ancient Buddhist sūtras have to say about wellbeing today? In this six-part short video series, we explore selected sūtras and the practical insights they offer for navigating modern life. Through brief, accessible reflections, each episode highlights how the Buddha’s words can support clarity, balance, and inner resilience.
In this video, 84000 editorial co-director John Canti introduces a Buddhist scripture titled The Aspiration Prayer from “Destroyer of the Great Trichiliocosm,” a text traditionally used as a source of protection and well-being. The scripture recounts a historical episode in which the Buddha brings an end to a devastating epidemic in the city of Vaiśālī by reciting verses in praise of the Three Jewels—the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha. While closely related to the well-known Pāli Ratana Sutta, this version places particular emphasis on the transformative power of the Saṅgha as a source of merit and communal strength. Canti explains that the Buddha’s intervention serves not only as an account of miraculous healing but also as a teaching intended to guide future generations in cultivating resilience and spiritual confidence. Through reflection on these verses, practitioners are invited to nurture well-being and connection even in times of widespread suffering, and this translation offers modern readers access to a prayer long used for blessing and consecration.
Dr. John Canti was a founding member of 84000’s executive committee and editorial team and is now senior editor.
