Learning the significance of Paritta chanting, the text of which is extracted from the book "What Buddhists Believe" by the late Venerable Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda Maha Thera. Paritta chanting is the recital of some of the Suttas uttered by the Buddha in the Pāli language for the blessing and protection of the devotees. When the suttas are chanted, three great and powerful forces are activated. These are the forces of the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha. Sutta Pitaka -- The collection of suttas, or discourses, attributed to the Buddha and a few of his closest disciples, containing all the central teachings of Theravada Buddhism. The suttas are divided among five nikayas (collections):- 1. Digha Nikaya — the "long collection" 2. Majjhima Nikaya — the "middle-length collection" 3. Samyutta Nikaya — the "grouped collection" 4. Anguttara Nikaya — the "further-factored collection" 5. Khuddaka Nikaya — the "collection of little texts":- Khuddakapatha, Dhammapada, Udana, Itivuttaka, Sutta Nipata, Vimanavatthu, Petavatthu, Theragatha, Therigatha, Jataka, Niddesa, Patisambhidamagga, Apadana, Buddhavamsa, Cariyapitaka, *Nettippakarana *Petakopadesa *Milindapañha (*included only in the Burmese edition of the Tipitaka). Further meanings:- faith & confidence -- saddhā (in the Triple Gem i.e. Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha). Buddha Sasana -- the Dispensation or Doctrine of Deliverance. holy order -- brahmacariya; celibate order. Arahantahood -- sainthood; the final stage of Enlightenment (total liberation; uprooted greed, hatred, delusion; unbound). Noble Eight-fold Path (ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo) -- consists of 3 divisions:- 1.Sīla (Virtue & Morality) 2.Samādhi (Concentration) 3.Paññā (Wisdom). Sīla -- virtue & morality. (virtue -- e.g. patience, generosity, gratitude, respect, restraint etc.) (morality -- e.g. ethical conduct, integrity, conscience etc.) Samādhi -- Concentration (consists of Right Effort, Right Mindfulness & Right Concentration in the Noble Eight-fold Path). Paññā -- Wisdom (right understanding, right knowledge, right view, right thought, discernment) leading to final liberation (vimutti). Right Effort (sammā-vāyāma) -- the four right exertions or energy. Right Mindfulness (sammā-sati) -- the four foundations (establishments) of mindfulness in the Satipatthāna sutta. Right Concentration (sammā-samādhi) -- the four jhānas which is, the purity of equanimity-mindfulness with clear comprehension. For source of the above extract, pls. go to: http://www.dhammatalks.net/Books2/Bhante_Dhammananda_What_Buddhists_Believe.htm Do Good, Avoid Evil, and Purify the Mind. ~ Buddhas "The gift of truth excels all other gifts." ~ Buddha

• published: 29 Dec 2013
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