The Catu-Bhanavara-Pali (critical study)
by Moumita Dutta Banik | 2017 | 50,922 words
This study deals with the Catu-Bhanavara-Pali, (lit. “Text of the Four Recitals”) which in Buddhism is popularly known as “The Book of Protection”. This text, in the Pali language, represents a recital of the Dhamma meant for protection and deliverance from evil and sorrows as well as promoting welfare and well-being. The spreading time of Catubhan...
Authenticity Of The Paritta Suttas
These paritta suttas began very early in the history of Buddhism. It is certain that their recital for mental well being in those who listen to them with intelligence and are confident in the truth of the Buddha’s words. Such mental well-being can help those who are ill to recover and it can also help to induce the mental condition that brings happiness, and to overcover its opposite, originally in India those who listened to Paritta, saying of the Buddha, understood what was recited and the effect on them was correspondingly great. The Buddha himself had pirit recited for him, and he also requested others to recite for his disciples when they were ill. This practice is still in vogue in Buddhist countries.
The influence of the Mahayana[1] which took root in the Abhayagiri vihara of Sri Lanka, the Mahavihara monks of Anuradhapura would have made this a counterpart of the Mahayani Dharanis.[2]
In the Pali literature, these short verses are recommended by the Buddha as providing protection from certain afflictions. The belief in the effective power to heal, or protect, of the saccakiriya,[3] or asseveration of something quite true is an aspect for the work as described to the paritta.
It is also widely believed that all recitations of paritta by monks bring safety, peace and well-being to a community.
The Sutta recitations will also occur on auspicious occasions, such as the inauguration of a new temple or home or provide blessings upon those hear conversely. Paritta discourses are recited on inauspicious occasions as well, such as at a funeral or on the death anniversary of a loved one. They may also be recited to ward off antagonistic spirits.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
After Buddha’s Parinibbana Opinion of Buddha devided in the two grouped one’s hinajana and anothersis Mahayana.
[3]:
‘Saccakiriya’ Saccan truth with kiriya-f. a declaration on oath. Pali-English Dictionary, Anguttara Nikaya, 5 vols P. Buddha Datta Mahathera, p. 243.