Ratana Sutta (The Jewel Discourse)

Synopsis:  In Theravada Buddhism, according to post-canonical Pali commentaries, the background story for the Ratana Sutta is that the town of Vesali was being plagued by disease, non-human beings and famine; in despair, the townspeople called upon the Buddha for aid; he had the Ven. Ananda go through town reciting this discourse leading to the dispersal of the town’s woes.The Ratana Sutta  explains the highest qualities of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha by giving details of the Triple Gem in its various facets.

“Whatever treasure there be either here or in the world beyond, whatever precious jewel there be in the heavenly worlds, there is nought comparable to the Tathagata (the perfect One). This precious jewel is the Buddha. By this (asseveration of the) truth may there be happiness.”-Ratana Sutta