Pirith - a soothing balm to your mind
Premasara EPASINGHE
DHAMMA: Buddhism is considered as a philosophy or a
psychology, preached by The Buddha. There is a devotional aspect of
Buddhism that is also of paramount importance to gain spiritual comfort
or relief.
According to Buddha Dhamma, the mind is so closely linked with
physical health. The soothing effect of listening to chanting of pirith
and the beliefs in the protective nature of Pirith Desana is widely
acclaimed in many Buddhist countries.
The selected discourses for recital are known as Paritta sutta in
Pali. In Sanskrit it is called Parittrana and in Sinhala Pirith.
Principally - they all mean protection.
From time immemorial pirith were recited to invoke the blessings of
the unseen Gods.
This reveals in the Rigveda and other Veda texts. They chant pirith
to obtain blessings from Devas and protection from the evil.
The practice of reciting Pirith began very early in the history of
Buddhism. Buddhists believe these recitals produce mental well-being and
inner-tranquillity of those who listen. People believe that such
chanting has a therapeutic value.
Research done recently in medicine in experimental psychology,
presently known as parapsychology throws light on the nature of the Mind
and its importance.
Now, many medical men are of the opinion that many causes of disease,
organic as well as functional are directly caused by mental states.
The mind not only makes us sick, it also cures.
It is believed that an optimistic patient has more chances of getting
well than a patient who is worried and unhappy. It is observed in
listening to the recital of Dhamma for protection and deliverance from
evil is a common feature. The selected discourses are known as Pirith.
The vibratory sounds of the words embodied in Pirith are soothing to
one’s nerves. They bring about peace of mind and harmony in the
individual. According to Dhamma, the Mind is so closely linked with
physical health, because the man is a combination of both body and mind.
Listening to Pirith chanting and reciting Pirith, eliminates many
types of fear that occur in one’s mind. The excessive irrational fear of
an object or a situation can be defined as Phobia. There is a belief
that these fears can be eradicated by the power of Pirith.
The meritorious and blessed effects of chanting Pirith is laid out in
Millindapprasna. It is said that reciting Ratana Sutta, Atanatiya,
Dajagga, and Mora Piritha daily give great protection.
In the Milindapprasna the power of Pirith is described in the
following manner.
“A person who chants Pirith is guarded and protected from reptiles.
They are not attacked by robbers. They are guarded from fires. If they
consume poison unknowingly it will turn into nectar. By chanting Pirith
sicknesses fade away. Chanting Pirith brings protection, peace,
happiness and prosperity to all.”
Pirith Poth Vahanse or the ‘Sacred Book of Protective Chants’ is
divided into Satara Banavara in Sinhala and Catubhanavarapali. There are
29 Slittas in the Chatubanavara. They are extracted from the Nikayas.
There are 12 suttas in the Khuddaka Nikaya. They are Sarangamana,
Dasasikkhapgada, Samanerapanha, Dvattimsakara, Mahamangala sutta,
Karaniyametta sutta, Ratana sutta, Mittanisama stanzas, Moraparitta,
Alavakasutta, Kasibharadvaja sutta, Parabhava sutta, Vasala sutta.
There are eight suttas, which are extracted from Samyutta Nikaya.
They are namely Candaparitta, Suriyaparitta, Dhajaggaparitta,
Ahacundatthera, Mahakassapaherabojjanga, Mahamoggallanatherabojjangha,
Dhammacakkappavattanasujja, Asibhardvajasutta.
Then, there are five suttas that falls to the category of Anguttara
Nikaya. The are Paccavekkhana, Dasadhamasutta, Khandhaparitta,
Ettanisamasutta, Girimananda sutta.
Isigilisutta and Saccavibhanga sutta are extracted from Majjima
Nikaya.
The famous Atanatiyasutta, which is usually recited by priests early
morning is extracted from Digha Nikaya. They believe that this expels
the spirits. Attanatiya part one and two consists of 48 and 60 stanzas.
If you take a count, there are 116 Gathas from Dasadhamma sutta to
Dhajjagga. From Dhajjagga to Isigili sutta the count is 96. From Isigili
to Attanatiya Phatamaka Bhanavara and Atanatiya Dhutiyaka Bhanavara
consists of 48 and 60 stanzas respectively. Altogether there are about
500 gathas.
Out of all suttas, Mangala, Ratana and Karaniyametta suttas are
chanted daily.
In analysing the sutta, we notice that most of them were recited at
Savastti, when the Blessed One was residing at the Monastery of
Anathapindika in Jethavana Grove.
‘Evam Me Suttam Ekan Samyan Bhagava Savatthihan Viharathi Jetavane
Ananthapindikassa Arame... (Thus have I heard)
Some of the other suttas such as Mahakassappa Bojjanga, Mahamoggalana
Thera Bojjanga, Mahachulla Thera Sutta were recited Veluwana at Rajagaha.
The other suttas like Isigili and Dhammachakkapavattana, Mahasamaya,
Alavaka sutta, Kasibharadvaja, Sallhavibanga and Atanatiya clearly show
that the Buddha, in His missionary activities travelled across the
Solosmaha Janapada (16 villages).
The Mangala sutta, contains 38 auspicious factors that bring about
prosperity and well-being. It shows how one should lead a good and
exemplary life. The sutta also explains the attainments of real
blessings. It is customarily recited on all auspicious occasions.
The Buddha recited Ratana sutta when he visited an epidemic stricken
town Vesali. The Blessed One, after chanting Ratana sutta instructed
Ananda Maha Thera to sprinkle Pirith Pan (Pirith Water) in the city of
Vesali of Licchavis, to protect the innocents who were affected by
famine, sickness, evil spirits and all other kinds of misfortunes.
Through Karaniya Metta sutta, happiness is wished for all beings. On
one occasion 500 monks went to the jungle to meditate. They were
disturbed by some evil spirits.
Then, the Bhikkus reported this matter to the Buddha. The advice of
the Blessed One was to proceed again to the jungle and practise (Metta)
loving kindness.
Later the evil spirits, who created problems to the Buddhist monks
paid their highest respect and regards to the monks. Metta or Maitri,
associates with Buddhism.
Etymologically (Study of the origin and history of words and their
meaning) it means kindness and friendliness, and defined by the Blessed
One as a mother’s compassion towards her son. Then comes Karuna or
Compassion. Third is Muditha which requires love and pain. Muditha is to
share in others’ happiness.
The Khandaparitta depicts the value of loving kindness. A monk who
died of a snake bite, did not practise loving kindness towards them. If
he practised loving kindness this tragedy could not have occurred,
stated the Buddha.
The eleven benefits accrued by loving kindness is mentioned in
Mettanismsa sutta and it is specially meant to the householder.
The Dhammachakkapavattana Sutta delivered to the first five disciples
contains the most important teaching of the Buddha, which is detailed as
the Noble Eightfold Path and the four Noble Truths. In the Saccavibanga
sutta, the Buddha describes the four Noble Truths.
Pirith is closely linked with the beginning of the Sinhalas in Sri
Lanka. Mahavamsa in the seventh chapter describes the advent of Vijaya
from Latarata, Jambudvipa (India) in the following manner.
The chronicle Mahavamsa records, during the King Upatissa I, end of
4th century, Ratana sutta was recited, as the country was faced with
severe drought famine and disease.
After chanting Ratana sutta, throughout the night, sprinkling ‘Pirith
pan’ along the streets, the deadly infectious diseases and plaque
disappeared.
The first reference to the chanting of Pirith as a ceremony was
mentioned during Aggabodhi IV regime, spanning from (658-674 AD).
It is believed that Pirith ceremonies were also held during Kassappa
V (913-923 AD) era.
The chanting of Pirith is prevalent everywhere in our country today.
We wake up to the sound of Pirith chanting.
We go to bed with the same soothing sound of Pirith recital resonant
in our ears. Let us hope that the meritorious effects of Pirith will
protect this country and bring peace and prosperity to this Blessed
Island.
May there be rain by the Blessings of the Gods
May there be bountiful harvest
May the people be happy and prosperous
May the rulers be righteous
Devao Vassatui Kalena
Sassa Sampatti Hotucha
Pito Bhavatu Lokocha
Raja Bahavatu Dhammiko |
