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...
(1) The Saranagamana
The saranagamana[1] a starts with “namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa”—that means, Homage to the Blessed one, the noble one and perfectly Enlightened one.
This will be followed by refuges to three jewels–Buddha, Dhamma and sangha thus:
Buddham Saranam Gacchami
Dhammam Saranam Gacchami
Sangham Saranam Gacchami
That means–
To the Buddha, I go for Refuge
To the Dhamma I go for Refuge
To the Sangha I go for Refuge
They will repeat the same thing for three times (dutiyam pi, m tatiya pi etc.).
The Bhikkhus or Bhikkhuuis then say:—Tisarana-Gamanam sampunnam—that means, this completes the going to the Refuges.
In this way we take refuge in the Buddha and thus begin our journey. We must be proud to accept the Tisarana and have deep faith in the Buddha himself, his doctrine (Dhamma) and his entire brotherhood of Monks and Nuns (Sangha), it is to be noted that this Tisarana is not an ordination hymn but is only the gateway to perfect living and self realization. Thus in the book of Vinaya Mahavagga there is expression how to take pabbajja to utter is the Trisarana.[2]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Vin. 1., 22 (ef.M.i.24); Khuddaka-patha. No. 1