<p>The term used in Thig 13.3 is <em>lokanātha</em>.</p>
<p>According to the PTS Pali-English dictionary entry on &quot;<a href="https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/pali_query.py?qs=n%C4%81tha&amp;searchhws=yes&amp;matchtype=exact" rel="nofollow noreferrer">nātha</a>&quot;:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Nātha</strong> Nātha [Ved. nātha, <strong>nāth</strong>, to which Goth. nipan (to support), Ohg.
gināda (grace)] protector, refuge, help A v.23, 89; Dh 160 (attā hi
attano n.), 380; Sn 1131 (Nd2 has nāga); DhA iv.117; PvA 1. <strong>lokanātha</strong>
Saviour of the world (Ep. of the Buddha) Sn 995; PvA 42. — <strong>anātha</strong>
helpless, unprotected, poor J i.6 (nāthânāthā rich &amp; poor); PvA 3
(˚sālā poor house) 65. Cp. nādhati.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><em>Nātha</em> means saviour, protector. <em>Anātha</em>, the opposite of <em>nātha</em>, means helpless, unprotected, poor.</p>
<p><em>lokanātha</em> means &quot;saviour of the world&quot;.</p>
<p>The Buddha is saviour of the world in the sense that he brings teachings to the world to liberate the helpless from suffering i.e.
&quot;supreme guide for those who wish to train&quot;.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished
in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, <strong>supreme guide for
those who wish to train</strong>, teacher of gods and humans, awakened,
blessed.’ He has realized with his own insight this world—with its
gods, Māras and Brahmās, this population with its ascetics and
brahmins, gods and humans—and he makes it known to others. He
proclaims a teaching that is good in the beginning, good in the
middle, and good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing. He
reveals an entirely full and pure spiritual life.<br />
<a href="https://suttacentral.net/mn41/en/sujato?layout=plain&amp;reference=none&amp;notes=asterisk&amp;highlight=false&amp;script=latin" rel="nofollow noreferrer">MN 41</a></p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-29T03:37:36.990Z
2023-06-29T03:57:42.053Z
2023-06-29T03:57:42.053Z
ruben2020
<p>The central word here is lokanāthaṁ, which a dictionary says means <a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/lokan%C4%81tha" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the lord of the world</a>.</p>
<p>If we search for this &amp; similar terms (<a href="https://suttacentral.net/search?query=lokan%C4%81tha" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>, <a href="https://suttacentral.net/search?query=lokan%C4%81tha%E1%B9%81" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a> &amp; <a href="https://suttacentral.net/search?query=n%C4%81tha" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>), they appear found in later texts, including Sanskrit &amp; early Mahayana texts.</p>
<p>Notably, the suffix nātha is found in the Dhammapada, where Sujato translates nātho here different to as he translates nātho in Thig 13.3.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Self is indeed the <strong>lord</strong> of self,</p>
<p>Attā hi attano <strong>nātho</strong>,</p>
<p>for who else would be one’s lord?</p>
<p>ko hi nātho paro siyā;</p>
<p>When one’s self is well-tamed,</p>
<p>Attanā hi sudantena,</p>
<p>one gains a lord that’s rare indeed.</p>
<p>nāthaṁ labhati dullabhaṁ.</p>
<p><a href="https://suttacentral.net/dhp157-166/en/sujato?layout=linebyline&amp;reference=none&amp;notes=asterisk&amp;highlight=false&amp;script=latin" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Attavagga, Dhammapada</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>In the suttas, it seems, the most common word translated as protector is <a href="https://suttacentral.net/search?query=rakkhati" rel="nofollow noreferrer">rakkha</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Dhamma surely <strong>protects</strong> one who practices Dhamma;</p>
<p>Dhammo have <strong>rakkhati</strong> dhammacāriṁ</p>
<p><a href="https://suttacentral.net/thag4.10/en/sujato?layout=linebyline&amp;reference=none&amp;notes=asterisk&amp;highlight=false&amp;script=latin" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Thag 4.10</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Looking after</strong> yourself, you look after others; and looking after others, you look after yourself.</p>
<p>Attānaṁ, bhikkhave, <strong>rakkhanto</strong> paraṁ rakkhati, paraṁ rakkhanto attānaṁ rakkhati.</p>
<p><a href="https://suttacentral.net/sn47.19/en/sujato?layout=linebyline&amp;reference=none&amp;notes=asterisk&amp;highlight=false&amp;script=latin" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SN 47.19</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>And how does a mendicant <strong>protect</strong>?</p>
<p>Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu <strong>rakkhitā</strong> hoti?</p>
<p>When a mendicant sees a sight with the eyes, they don’t get caught up
in the features and details.</p>
<p>Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cakkhunā rūpaṁ disvā na nimittaggāhī hoti
nānubyañjanaggāhī.</p>
<p><a href="https://suttacentral.net/an5.140/en/sujato?layout=linebyline&amp;reference=none&amp;notes=asterisk&amp;highlight=false&amp;script=latin" rel="nofollow noreferrer">AN 5.140</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>All of the above said, there are two suttas <a href="https://suttacentral.net/an10.17/en/sujato" rel="nofollow noreferrer">AN 10.17</a> &amp; <a href="https://suttacentral.net/an10.18/en/sujato?layout=linebyline&amp;reference=none&amp;notes=asterisk&amp;highlight=false&amp;script=latin" rel="nofollow noreferrer">AN 10.18</a> using the term '<a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/n%C4%81tha" rel="nofollow noreferrer">nātha</a>' found in Thig 13.3.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Mendicants, you should live <strong>with a protector</strong>, not without one.</p>
<p><strong>Sanāthā</strong>, bhikkhave, viharatha, mā anāthā.</p>
<p>Living without a protector is suffering.</p>
<p>Dukkhaṁ, bhikkhave, anātho viharati.</p>
<p>There are ten qualities that serve as <strong>protector</strong>.</p>
<p>Dasayime, bhikkhave, <strong>nātha</strong>karaṇā dhammā.</p>
<p>What ten?</p>
<p>Katame dasa?</p>
<p>Firstly, a mendicant is ethical, restrained in the monastic code,
conducting themselves well and seeking alms in suitable places. Seeing
danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken.</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>New Concise Pali English Dictionary</p>
<p>nātha</p>
<p>masculine</p>
<p>a protector,patron, lord; a husband; a prop, support; ~ especially the lord, the Buddha</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>PTS Pali English Dictionary</p>
<p>nātha protector, refuge, help
AN.v.23, AN.v.89; Dhp.160 (attā hi attano n.), Dhp.380; Snp verse 1131
(Nd ii.has nāga) Dhp-a.iv.117; Pv-a.1. <strong>lokanātha Saviour of the world
(Ep. of the Buddha)</strong> Snp verse 995; Pv-a.42 ■ anātha helpless,
unprotected, poor Ja.i.6 (nāthânāthā rich poor); Pv-a.3 (˚sālā poor
house) Pv-a.65 Cp. nādhati.</p>
<p>Ved. nātha, nāth, to which Goth. nipan (to support), Ohg. gināda
(grace)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Personally, I am inclined towards the translation of '<em>Lord of the World</em>', which means the Buddha is unaffected by or governs the world around him via governance of mindfulness &amp; wisdom. However, as originally said, Thig 13.3 appears to be a later text using early Mahayana language therefore '<em>Protector or Saviour of the World</em>' may be more accurate in this context.</p>
<p>Also, the term 'lokanāthaṁ' is found in the later Manorathapūraṇī commentary attributed to Buddhaghosa, <a href="https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/21972/8157">here</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><em>duve saccāni akkhāsi sambuddho vadataṃ varo sammutiṃ paramatthañca tatiyaṃ nupalabbhati</em></p>
<p><em>The Awakened One, best of speakers, Spoke two kinds of truths: The conventional and the ultimate. A third truth does not obtain.</em></p>
<p><em>tattha: saṅketavacanaṃ saccaṃ lokasammutikāraṇaṃ paramatthavacanaṃ saccaṃ dhammānaṃ tathalakkhaṇan ti</em></p>
<p><em>Therein: The speech wherewith the world converses is true On account of its being agreed upon by the world. The speech which describes what
is ultimate is also true, Through characterizing dhammas as they
really are.</em></p>
<p><em>tasmā vohārakusalassa <strong>lokanātha</strong>ssa satthuno sammutiṃ voharantassa musāvādo na jāyatī ti</em></p>
<p><em>Therefore, being skilled in common usage, False speech does not arise in the Teacher, Who is <strong>Lord of the World</strong>, When he speaks according to
conventions.</em></p>
<p><em>(Mn. i. 95)</em></p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-28T20:56:36.617Z
2023-06-29T02:11:16.350Z
2023-06-29T02:11:16.350Z
Dhamma Dhatu
<p>Read it from the author's perspective -- she has taken &quot;refuge&quot; in the Buddha, the Sangha, the Dhamma.</p>
<p>See also <a href="https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/28696/254">SN 6.2</a> which says that monks must &quot;dwell in dependence on&quot; someone, more consummate than themselves (in this case the Buddha).</p>
<hr />
<p>Lastly note <a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/n%C4%81tha" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the concise dictionary</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>a protector, patron, lord; a husband; a prop, support; ~ especially the lord, the Buddha</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Their dialog is about marriage (the wife being under the husband's control, the man being &quot;trapped&quot;, their having &quot;followers&quot;).</p>
<p>Now think of the &quot;support&quot; (and &quot;husband&quot;) meanings -- the Buddha has social authority, creates the Sangha, defines the rules they live by, told people to allow the bhikkhuni order to exist and to not harass the nuns, etc.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-29T06:15:56.860Z
2023-06-29T06:15:56.860Z
ChrisW
<p><a href="https://suttacentral.net/thig13.3/en/sujato?layout=plain&amp;reference=none&amp;notes=asterisk&amp;highlight=false&amp;script=latin" rel="nofollow noreferrer">thig 13.3:</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>“Now please convey my respects to the supreme protector of the world.
Circling him to your right, dedicate my religious donation.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In what sense is buddha the supreme protector of the world?  which world is being referred to?  the earthly world? the heavenly world?  all worlds? i don't feel protected.  protecting dhamma?  only good people?</p>

<the-buddha>
the supreme protector
# the supreme protector

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-06-24)

[thig 13.3:](https://suttacentral.net/thig13.3/en/sujato?layout=plain&reference=none¬es=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin)

> “Now please convey my respects to the supreme protector of the world.
> Circling him to your right, dedicate my religious donation.”

In what sense is buddha the supreme protector of the world? which world is being referred to? the earthly world? the heavenly world? all worlds? i don't feel protected. protecting dhamma? only good people?

**Tags:** the-buddha


---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2023-06-29. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Read it from the author's perspective -- she has taken "refuge" in the Buddha, the Sangha, the Dhamma.

See also [SN 6.2](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/28696/254) which says that monks must "dwell in dependence on" someone, more consummate than themselves (in this case the Buddha).

---

Lastly note [the concise dictionary](https://suttacentral.net/define/n%C4%81tha):

> a protector, patron, lord; a husband; a prop, support; ~ especially the lord, the Buddha

Their dialog is about marriage (the wife being under the husband's control, the man being "trapped", their having "followers").

Now think of the "support" (and "husband") meanings -- the Buddha has social authority, creates the Sangha, defines the rules they live by, told people to allow the bhikkhuni order to exist and to not harass the nuns, etc.


---

### Answer by username_1 on 2023-06-29. Score: 2

The term used in Thig 13.3 is *lokanātha*.

According to the PTS Pali-English dictionary entry on "[nātha](https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/pali_query.py?qs=n%C4%81tha&searchhws=yes&matchtype=exact)":

> **Nātha** Nātha [Ved. nātha, **nāth**, to which Goth. nipan (to support), Ohg.
> gināda (grace)] protector, refuge, help A v.23, 89; Dh 160 (attā hi
> attano n.), 380; Sn 1131 (Nd2 has nāga); DhA iv.117; PvA 1. **lokanātha**
> Saviour of the world (Ep. of the Buddha) Sn 995; PvA 42. — **anātha**
> helpless, unprotected, poor J i.6 (nāthânāthā rich & poor); PvA 3
> (˚sālā poor house) 65. Cp. nādhati.

*Nātha* means saviour, protector. *Anātha*, the opposite of *nātha*, means helpless, unprotected, poor.

*lokanātha* means "saviour of the world".

The Buddha is saviour of the world in the sense that he brings teachings to the world to liberate the helpless from suffering i.e.
"supreme guide for those who wish to train".

> ‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished
> in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, **supreme guide for
> those who wish to train**, teacher of gods and humans, awakened,
> blessed.’ He has realized with his own insight this world—with its
> gods, Māras and Brahmās, this population with its ascetics and
> brahmins, gods and humans—and he makes it known to others. He
> proclaims a teaching that is good in the beginning, good in the
> middle, and good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing. He
> reveals an entirely full and pure spiritual life.  
> [MN 41](https://suttacentral.net/mn41/en/sujato?layout=plain&reference=none¬es=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin)


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2023-06-28. Score: 1

The central word here is lokanāthaṁ, which a dictionary says means [the lord of the world](https://suttacentral.net/define/lokan%C4%81tha).

If we search for this & similar terms ([here](https://suttacentral.net/search?query=lokan%C4%81tha), [here](https://suttacentral.net/search?query=lokan%C4%81tha%E1%B9%81) & [here](https://suttacentral.net/search?query=n%C4%81tha)), they appear found in later texts, including Sanskrit & early Mahayana texts.

Notably, the suffix nātha is found in the Dhammapada, where Sujato translates nātho here different to as he translates nātho in Thig 13.3.

> Self is indeed the **lord** of self,
>
> Attā hi attano **nātho**,
>
> for who else would be one’s lord?
>
> ko hi nātho paro siyā;
>
> When one’s self is well-tamed,
>
> Attanā hi sudantena,
>
> one gains a lord that’s rare indeed.
>
> nāthaṁ labhati dullabhaṁ.
>
> [Attavagga, Dhammapada](https://suttacentral.net/dhp157-166/en/sujato?layout=linebyline&reference=none¬es=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin)

In the suttas, it seems, the most common word translated as protector is [rakkha](https://suttacentral.net/search?query=rakkhati)

> Dhamma surely **protects** one who practices Dhamma;
>
> Dhammo have **rakkhati** dhammacāriṁ
>
> [Thag 4.10](https://suttacentral.net/thag4.10/en/sujato?layout=linebyline&reference=none¬es=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin)

> **Looking after** yourself, you look after others; and looking after others, you look after yourself.
>
> Attānaṁ, bhikkhave, **rakkhanto** paraṁ rakkhati, paraṁ rakkhanto attānaṁ rakkhati.
>
> [SN 47.19](https://suttacentral.net/sn47.19/en/sujato?layout=linebyline&reference=none¬es=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin)

> And how does a mendicant **protect**?
>
> Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu **rakkhitā** hoti?
>
> When a mendicant sees a sight with the eyes, they don’t get caught up
> in the features and details.
>
> Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cakkhunā rūpaṁ disvā na nimittaggāhī hoti
> nānubyañjanaggāhī.
>
> [AN 5.140](https://suttacentral.net/an5.140/en/sujato?layout=linebyline&reference=none¬es=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin)

All of the above said, there are two suttas [AN 10.17](https://suttacentral.net/an10.17/en/sujato) & [AN 10.18](https://suttacentral.net/an10.18/en/sujato?layout=linebyline&reference=none¬es=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin) using the term '[nātha](https://suttacentral.net/define/n%C4%81tha)' found in Thig 13.3.

> Mendicants, you should live **with a protector**, not without one.
>
> **Sanāthā**, bhikkhave, viharatha, mā anāthā.
>
> Living without a protector is suffering.
>
> Dukkhaṁ, bhikkhave, anātho viharati.
>
> There are ten qualities that serve as **protector**.
>
> Dasayime, bhikkhave, **nātha**karaṇā dhammā.
>
> What ten?
>
> Katame dasa?
>
> Firstly, a mendicant is ethical, restrained in the monastic code,
> conducting themselves well and seeking alms in suitable places. Seeing
> danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken.

> New Concise Pali English Dictionary
>
> nātha
>
> masculine
>
> a protector,patron, lord; a husband; a prop, support; ~ especially the lord, the Buddha

> PTS Pali English Dictionary
>
> nātha protector, refuge, help
> AN.v.23, AN.v.89; Dhp.160 (attā hi attano n.), Dhp.380; Snp verse 1131
> (Nd ii.has nāga) Dhp-a.iv.117; Pv-a.1. **lokanātha Saviour of the world
> (Ep. of the Buddha)** Snp verse 995; Pv-a.42 ■ anātha helpless,
> unprotected, poor Ja.i.6 (nāthânāthā rich poor); Pv-a.3 (˚sālā poor
> house) Pv-a.65 Cp. nādhati.
>
> Ved. nātha, nāth, to which Goth. nipan (to support), Ohg. gināda
> (grace)

Personally, I am inclined towards the translation of '*Lord of the World*', which means the Buddha is unaffected by or governs the world around him via governance of mindfulness & wisdom. However, as originally said, Thig 13.3 appears to be a later text using early Mahayana language therefore '*Protector or Saviour of the World*' may be more accurate in this context.

Also, the term 'lokanāthaṁ' is found in the later Manorathapūraṇī commentary attributed to Buddhaghosa, [here](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/21972/8157).

> *duve saccāni akkhāsi sambuddho vadataṃ varo sammutiṃ paramatthañca tatiyaṃ nupalabbhati*
>
> *The Awakened One, best of speakers, Spoke two kinds of truths: The conventional and the ultimate. A third truth does not obtain.*
>
> *tattha: saṅketavacanaṃ saccaṃ lokasammutikāraṇaṃ paramatthavacanaṃ saccaṃ dhammānaṃ tathalakkhaṇan ti*
>
> *Therein: The speech wherewith the world converses is true On account of its being agreed upon by the world. The speech which describes what
> is ultimate is also true, Through characterizing dhammas as they
> really are.*
>
> *tasmā vohārakusalassa **lokanātha**ssa satthuno sammutiṃ voharantassa musāvādo na jāyatī ti*
>
> *Therefore, being skilled in common usage, False speech does not arise in the Teacher, Who is **Lord of the World**, When he speaks according to
> conventions.*
>
> *(Mn. i. 95)*


---

