The Significance of Paritta Chanting

诵经

Paritta chanting is the recital of some of the Sutras uttered by the Buddha in the Pali language for the blessing and protection of the devotees.

诵念佛陀以巴利语讲述的经典，能获得祝福和保护。

Paritta Chanting or Sutra Chanting is a well-known Buddhist practice conducted all over the world, especially in Theravada Buddhist countries where the Pali language is used for recitals. Many of these are important sutras from the basic teachings of the Buddha which were selected by His disciples. Originally, these sutras were recorded on ola leaves about two thousand years ago. Later, they were compiled into a book known as the 'Paritta Chanting Book'. The names of the original books from which these sutras were selected are the Anguttara Nikaya, Majjhima Nikaya, Digha Nikaya, Samyutta Nikaya and Kuddaka Nikaya in the Sutra Pitaka.

诵念巴利文经典是一种普遍的佛教仪式，特别是奉行以巴利语为主的上座部佛教国家。很多重要的经典，是由佛陀的上座弟子结集的。这些原始经典，原本抄写在贝叶上，后来编汇成巴利语诵念的《护卫经》。这些经文选自《经藏》中的《长部》、《中部》、《相应部》、《增支部》和《小部》。

The sutras that Buddhists recite for protection are known as Paritta Chanting. Here 'protection' means shielding ourselves from various forms of evil spirits, misfortune, sickness and influence of the planetary systems as well as instilling confidence in the mind. The vibrant sound of the chanting creates a very pleasing atmosphere in the vicinity. The rhythm of the chanting is also important. One might have noticed that when monks recite these sutras, different intonations are adopted to harmonize with different sutras intended for different quarters. It was found very early during man's spiritual development that certain rhythms of the human voice could produce significant psychological states of peacefulness and serenity in the minds of ardent listeners. Furthermore, intonation at certain levels would appeal to devas, whilst certain rhythms would created a good influence over lower beings like animals, snakes, or even spirits or ghosts. Therefore, a soothing and correct rhythm is an important aspect of Paritta Chanting.

佛教徒以巴利语诵念《护卫经》。诵念《护卫经》能保护信徒们不受邪灵、灾难、病魔、星宿的影响和获得信心。诵经的声浪，能使得周围环境安祥、宁静。诵经的节奏也很重要，出家人以不同的节奏在不同的场合下，协调的诵念不同的经典。早期的人类已经发现到某些音调和节奏能令听者在心灵产生宁静与安祥。还有，声调也能和护法神感应，声调同时也对那些低等众生，如：蛇类等、精灵道、鬼道、产生一种好的影响。因此，协调的音调和正确的节奏是诵念巴利文经典的重要组成部份。

The use of these rhythms is not confined to Buddhism alone. In every religion, when the followers recite their prayers by using the holy books, they follow certain rhythms. We can observe this when we listen to Quran reading by Muslims and the Veda Mantra Chanting by Hindu priests in the Sanskrit language. Some lovely chanting is also carried out by certain Christian groups, especially the Roman Catholic and Greek orthodox sects.

有节奏的诵经不仅是佛教的仪式，同时也是所有宗教推行的仪式。我们可以从回教徒诵念《古兰经》和兴都教徒梵文诵经仪式中发现这一点。基督教和它的各别教派，如：天主教、东正教，也都采取了各种优美的诵经方式为主要的宗教仪式。

When the sutras are chanted, three great and powerful forces are activated. These are the forces of the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha., Buddhism is the combination of these 'Three Jewels' and when invoked together they can bring great blessing to mankind.

诵经能生起三种巨大和强烈的力量，这就是佛、法、僧三宝的力量。佛教徒信奉三宝，三宝能为人类带来很大的祝福。

The Buddha. He had cultivated all the great virtues, wisdom and enlightenment, developed His spiritual power and gave us His noble Teachings. Even though the physical presence of the Teacher is no more with us, His Teachings have remained for the benefit of mankind. Similarly, the man who discovered electricity is no more with us, yet by using his knowledge, the effect of his wisdom still remains. The illumination that we enjoy today is the result of his wisdom. The scientists who discovered atomic energy are no longer living, but the knowledge to use it remains with us. Likewise the Noble Teachings given us through the Buddha's wisdom and enlightenment, are a most effective power for people to draw inspiration from. When you remember Him and respect Him, you develop confidence in Him. When you recite or listen to the words uttered by Him, you invoke the power of His blessings.

一、佛宝：

佛陀从觉悟中发展的心灵力量和圆满智慧的德行，再把这些神圣的经验传授给我们。虽然这位伟大的导师已经不在了，可是他所遗留下来的教诲，仍然在利益众生。同样的，发现电力的人已经不存在了，我们今天还在继续的享用着电力与光明，这是发明家智慧的结晶。发现原子能的科学家已经不在了，他的发明却与我们同在。

同样的，我们可以从佛陀的觉悟和教诲，汲取灵感。当你怀念他、尊敬他时，就会对他产生信心。当你诵念或聆听他所传下来的经典，也就会获得他的祝福。

Dhamma. It is the power of truth, justice and peace discovered by the Buddha which provides spiritual solace for devotees to maintain peace and happiness. When you develop your compassion, devotion and understanding, this power of the Dhamma protects you and helps you to develop more confidence and strength in your mind. Then your mind itself becomes a very powerful force for your own protection. When it is known that you uphold the Dhamma, people and other beings will respect you. The power of the Dhamma protects you from various kinds of bad influence and evil forces. Those who cannot understand the power of the Dhamma and how to live in accordance with the Dhamma, invariably surrender themselves to all forms of superstitious beliefs and subject themselves to the influence of many kinds of gods, spirits and mystical powers which require them to perform odd rites and rituals. By so doing, they only develop more fear and suspicion born out of ignorance. Large sums of money are spent on such practices and this could be easily avoided if people were to develop their confidence in the Dhamma. Dhamma is also described as 'nature' or 'natural phenomena' and 'cosmic law'. Those who have learnt the nature of these forces can protect themselves through the Dhamma. When the mind is calmed through perfect knowledge disturbances cannot create fear in the mind.

二、法宝：

这是被佛陀所发现的真理，让所有的信徒都能获得心灵的慰藉，和维持宁静与快乐。从你的慈悲心、虔诚和理解方面的发展，佛法的力量会帮助你获得更大的自信和心灵的力量。这种心灵的力量产生很大的保护作用。当一切众生知道你奉行佛法时，就会尊重你。法宝能保护你不受邪恶力量的侵害。不了解佛法的人，无法过正道的生活，经常受到邪恶力量的诱惑，从事一些没有利益的活动。这么一来，他们的无明导致他们更加的恐惧和猜疑。

如果人们能够正确的理解佛法，在佛法建立起信心，就不会花大笔金钱从事那些没有意义的事。佛法是自然法，是自然的现象，也是宇宙法。理解自然的力量，就能通过佛法来保护自己。如果，我们获得圆满的智慧和宁静时，一切外缘因素就不会影响我们的心识和造成恐惧了。

The Sangha. It refers to the holy order of monks who have renounced their worldly life for their spiritual development. They are considered as disciples of the Buddha, who have cultivated great virtues to attain sainthood or Arahantahood. We pay respect to the Sangha community as the custodians of the Buddha Sasana or those who had protected and introduced the Dhamma to the world over the last 2,500 years. The services rendered by the Sangha community has guided mankind to lead a righteous and noble life. They are the living link with the Enlightened One who bring His message to us through the recital of the words uttered by Him.

三、僧宝：

这是指神圣的僧人，放弃世间的生活追求心灵的发展。他们是佛陀的弟子，修持大德行，准备证悟圣果或阿拉汉果。我们尊敬僧团，因为他们是佛法的园丁，是联系佛法和人们之间的桥梁，维护佛法和推荐佛法，二千五百年来，他们将佛法推广到世界各地。僧团的义务就是引导人类过着正道和神圣的生活。僧团通过诵念佛经，将佛陀的教诲重新展现给我们。

The chanting of sutras for blessing was started during the Buddha's time. Later, in certain Buddhist countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand and Burma, this practice was developed further by organizing prolonged chanting for one whole night or for several days. With great devotion, devotees participated in the chanting sessions by listening attentively and intelligently. There were some occasions when the Buddha and His disciples chanted sutras to bring spiritual solace to people suffering from epidemics, famines, sickness and other natural disasters. On once occasion, when a child was reported to be affected by some evil influence, the Buddha instructed His monks to recite sutras to give protection to the child from the evil forces.

诵经开始于佛陀时代。后来在某些佛教国家，如：斯里兰卡、泰国、缅甸发展为全日诵经或连续数日的诵经仪式。信徒虔诚的聆听或参与诵经仪式。在某些情况下，佛陀及他的弟子们，为那些受天灾、人祸、瘟疫、飢荒的人诵经祝福，为他们带来心灵的慰藉。有一回，一个小孩子受到邪灵的侵犯，佛陀吩咐弟子们诵念经文，保护孩子免受邪灵的侵犯。

The blessing service, by way of chanting, was effective. Of course, there were instances when the sutra chanting could not be effective if the victims had committed some strong bad kamma. Nevertheless, certain minor bad kammic effects can be overcome by the vibrant power combined with the great virtues and compassion of those holy people who chant these sutras. Here, the overcoming of a bad kammic effect does not mean the complete eradication of the effect, but only a temporary suspension of such an effect.

透过诵念来祝福非常有效。当然，在某些时候，恶业的力量太大时，诵经还是无效的。有些轻微的恶业，可以通过出家人诵经而加以克服，因为出家人拥有大慈悲心和道德修持。诵经只能暂时压制恶化，并不能消除恶业。

Devotees who were tired fatigued have experienced relief and calmness after listening to the chanting of sutras. Such an experience is different from that provided by music because music can create excitement in our mind and pander to our emotions but does not create spiritual devotion and confidence.

焦虑和疲劳的信徒，曾经透过诵经或聆听，获得宁静和松懈。这种经验和从音乐所获得的不同，音乐会导致精神紧张。同时，音乐无法提供心灵的奉献和信心。

For the last 2,500 years, Buddhist devotees have experienced the good effects of sutra chanting. We should try to understand how and why the words uttered by the Buddha for blessing purposes could be so effective even after His passing away. It is mentioned in the Buddha's teaching that ever since he had the aspiration to become a Buddha during His previous births, He had strongly upheld one particular principle, namely, to abstain from 'telling lies'. Without abusing or misusing His words, He spoke gently without hurting the feelings of others. The power of Truth has become a source of strength in the words uttered by the Buddha with great compassion. However, the power of the Buddha's word alone is not enough to secure blessing without the devotion and understanding of the devotees.

二千五百年来，佛教徒都体验到透过诵经能获得利益。我们必须尝试去了解，为何佛陀入灭了这么久，诵念他所讲述的佛法，仍然有这么广大的祝福功效。经典中曾经提到：佛陀在他的过去世，发愿圆成佛道时，坚持不说妄语。佛陀不说妄语，他温柔的语言、柔美的声音，从来不造成伤害。佛陀以他那大慈悲心，所阐述的真理，成为一种巨大的力量。然而，信徒必须了解，如果缺乏虔诚，单凭佛陀所阐述的真理，是不足以为他们祝福的。

The miraculous effect experienced by many people in ridding themselves of their sickness and many other mental disturbances through the medium of the Buddhist sutras, enabled them to develop their faith and confidence in this form of religious service.

很多信徒的疾病或精神的障碍，透过诵念佛经所产生的奇异力量，而获得痊愈。因此对佛教建立起更大的信心和信仰。