Meaning, purpose, date and authorship of the Catu-Bhanavara-Pali

The earth and the cosmic world alone do not constitute the Universe. Moreover, some religious preachers professed that this Universe is an aggregate of earth [the human world], heaven-hell [the supreme Brahma loka], etc.

We all know about the Lord Buddha who did not (draw) sketch boundary line of the Universe but is variously called “the teacher of the way” and “the producer of the unproduced path.” The definitions of the term ‘Buddhism’-and Buddhism is all encompassing, wholesome, meaningful, global and a Humanistic social philosophy though it may some times to with reference to the context, philosophical, theological, ethical, psychological, histological, mystical and religious. Lord Buddha did not (draw) sketch boundary line of the Universe. But according to him in an entire circle (cakrabala) there are 4 hells, one earth, abodes for Gods (Devaloka), 16 types of supreme abode [Rupa Brahma loka] and 4 formless supreme abodes (arupa Bhahmaloka).

Accordingly, all living beings were created or born in accordance with their actions (karma/ in sanskrit) or (kamma in pali), live for a definite period of time and takes birth in accordance with karma of previous life. After death, the newly acquired life can be pleasant or full of suffering depending upon the previous life’s actions (karma).

In this infinite Universe, there exist countless circles or cakrabalas. Therefore, Lord Buddha preached that, the living-beings follow the circle of birth and death for an infinite period of time. But "Nirvana" is the best ultimate path to get relief from all the sorrows of rebirths. Now, here is a big question to us as how do we get Nirvana? The answer is: One who follows the eight-fold path in this life-time, he or she will develop and reach this stage ultimately.

So Buddha preached that the circle or cakrabala is not a secure shelter for living-beings. It is only a space of feeling consciousness of sorrows, happiness of passion, happiness of meditation and detachment at different stages for long or short period in our lives. In other words, by dint of power of perseverance the truth of this subject can be determined. Only the emancipation or Nirvana is the undeviated state of immortality.^[1]

Now there is a big question to us how we get happiness from all the sorrows and apotropaic?^[2]

If we should obey the path of the Buddha, we would get relief from all evil things which create the sorrow to us.

The Meaning of Apotropaic is an amulet or a supposed charm against evil influences. The word apotropaic is a technical term derived from Green. In other words Apotropaic therefore indicates averting evil; of or pertaining to an apotropaic.

Apotropaic Buddhism is concerned with important matters in this present existence; for example illness and health, drought and rain, calamity and tranquility, danger and security.

It also assumes that the goals involved here can be attained by specific magical facts which either generate immediate power or invoke the assistance of supernatural forces. For apotropaic Buddhism the religion as a whole (its devotion, ritual, ethics, scripture and what not) acts as protective measures against the dangers of the present existence. The world (Loka) is viewed by Burmese to be dangerous because ghosts, demons, evil spirits, Nats and other evil souls exist everywhere; one is constantly and unpredictably in danger of being harmed. Therefore Buddhism is a refuge against all these dangers. Security is achieved by Buddhistic means. Rituals are apotropaic and they are performed to extricate the believer from a calamity which he is not suffering, or to save the devotee from the danger which is impending. A Discussion encompassing within the boundary of apotropaic approach, even when we deal with the Mahaparitta sutta discourses, is the need of time.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Saddharma Niti Ratnamala, Sri Subhuti Ranjan Barua (Bengali), p-1.2

[2]:

Eleven Holy Discourses of Protection, Maha Paritta Pali, Sao Mtun Hmat win, p-4.