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Angulimala - 61:
Consecration of Angulimala Thera’s “Saccakiriya Seat”
G. K. Ananda Kumarasiri
BUDDHISM: It became consecrated as sacred by the people in the
village. It was accordingly accorded great reverence and maintained with
deep veneration by the village folks.
For expectant mothers who were too weak to undertake the journey, the
water with which the seat was washed was applied on their head to give
the confidence and spiritual fortification for their delivery.
After sometime, not only expectant mothers but also livestock,
especially cows, goats and mares encountering difficulty in pregnancy
were given to drink the water used to wash the seat of Angulimala
brought to the seat to be blessed for an untroubled birth of their
offsprings.
Thus reciting the Angulimala Paritta, became a widespread Buddhist
practice for mothercare. The regular chanting of the Paritta Suttas was
regarded as a necessary benediction and invocation of confidence as well
as protection to all expectant mothers.
This religious practice became an integral part of the Buddhist
culture of providing spiritual fortification for motherhood.
To this day, in a number of Buddhist countries, it is strongly
believed that when the Angulimala Paritta is recited to bless and
provide protection for an expectant mother, she and her unborn baby will
remain in good health. In addition, they firmly believe that the mother
will have a smooth, untroubled delivery of her baby.
To be continued |
