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...

Forms of expression

The Buddha and the arahants (the consummate ones) can concentrate on the paritta suttas without the aid of another. However, when they are ill it is easier for them to listen to what others recite, and thus focus their mind (in the case of worldlings), when hetero suggestion has been found to be more effective then auto suggestion. In the Gilana sutta, even the Buddha himself had the seven Factors of Enlightenment recited to him by another monk to recover from his grave illness.

While paritta texts generally are recited aloud, other mediums are known as well in Thailand, paritta texts are printed on small pieces of cloth containing images of the Buddha or famous monks.

Similar text of the Paritta in the khom-script is sometimes incorporated into tattoos believed to have protective pours, known as sak yant.

Collection: Paritta discourses are widely used and known, even if not necessarily understood, throughout the Theravada Buddhist world. Popular collections of paritta verses are among the most widely known Pali texts in Theravada countries.

An example of such a collection is the Sinhala pirit potha (“The Book of Protection”) also known as Maha pirit potha and the catubhanavara Pali (“Text of the Four Recitals”). It has also been referred to as The Buddhist bible. This collection occupies an important place in the Buddhist home, and is even treated with veneration. The book contains a collection of twenty four or twenty nine discourses almost all delivered by the Buddha, and found scattered in the five original collections (Nikayas) in Pali which form the Sutta pitaka, the canonical Discourse.

Starts this discourse with the invitation to Deities. One day, Sakka, the king of the Devas approached the Buddha and requested Him to invite the Devas to listen whenever the Dhamma was preached. Assuredly pleased, the Devas in return would protect the devotees. Ever since, the Buddha’s disciples have always extended the invitation to the Devas before the recital of suttas and reminded them of their obligation to protect the devotees.

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