University of Virginia Library

APPENDIX 1 TO CHAPTER 12

SOME `PARITTA' FREQUENTLY RECITED IN THAILAND

The following are English translations of some paritta frequently recited
in Thailand today. The source for examples 1-4 is a book called The Pali
Chanting Scripture with Thai and English Translation Donated on the
Occasion of the Birthday (72) of Mrs. Chaemvijasorn (Phin Niyomhetu)
May 17, 1963. (Such books, primarily dealing with religious topics, are
customarily printed and distributed to guests by families of means on
such occasions as birthdays, marriage anniversaries and cremations.) The
source for example 5 is Wells (1960, pp. 234-6). The translations are
imperfect but except for minor corrections I have not tampered with the
wording in the sources.

1. Mangala sutta

Thus have I (Ananta) heard: once Lord Buddha was staying at Jetavana
Temple built by a very rich man named Anathapindika at Savatthi.
A deva approached Him at midnight and after paying due respect to
Him inquired:

`Many devas and men disagree about the nature of bliss. Please explain.'

These great blessings were well-preached by Lord Buddha:

Not to associate with the unwise, to associate with the wise, to respect
those worthy of respect. Each of this is a great bliss.

To reside at a favourable place where the good and virtuous live, to
benefit from past merits, to have strong will-power to do good. Each of
this is a great bliss.

To be learned and well instructed in science and arts, to be well disciplined,
to speak only true and pleasant words. Each of this is a great bliss.

To honour, support and attend on parents, to look after wife and
children, to engage in undisputed undertakings. Each of this is a great
bliss.

To practise charity and righteous living, to help relations, to engage
in undertakings of a righteous nature. Each of this is a great bliss.

To avoid evil, to be free from intoxicating things, to be always mindful.
Each of this is a great bliss.

To honour those worthy of respect, to be humble, to be contented,
to be grateful, to listen to the doctrine at suitable times. Each of this is
a great bliss.

To be patient and obedient, to be able to see the holy ones, to engage
in religious discussions at suitable times. Each of this is a great bliss.

To be self-controlled, to live a chaste life, to realize the Four Noble
Truths. Each of this is a great bliss.

To be well-balanced in the presence of the eight manifestations of
worldly changes, not to feel sorrowful, to be faultless, to be calm in
everything. Each of this is a great bliss.

Those who practise the above mentioned ways of bliss are never
defeated and will always be clear of danger. This is a great bliss.

2. Karaniya metta sutta

He who is wise in his dealings with beings should follow (in the footprint
of) the Noble One who has attained the tranquil state of Nibbana. Let
him be brave, truthful, fair in his dealings, obedient, gentle and humble.

Let him be contented, satisfied with whatever is obtained. Let him
have few cares. Let him be unburdened and have his senses calmed. Let
him not be haughty nor cling to families.

He should not commit even the slightest mean act that can be blamed
by the wise; he should extend his compassion to all beings, thinking `May
all beings be happy, free from suffering and enjoy their happiness.'

May all living beings attain happiness, whether they show fear or are
fearless: whether they are tall or big or middle sized or short or thin
or fat.

Visible or invisible, staying far or near; already born or seeking birth,
may all beings enjoy their happiness.

Let not anyone deceive others nor look down upon others in any way.
Let not anyone cherish ill-will towards others because of anger or resentment.

Just as a mother guards her only son at the risk of her own life, so one
should extend his unlimited loving-kindness to all beings.

Let him extend loving-kindness towards all beings: above, below and
between, in such a manner that his loving-kindness will be unobstructed,
be without hatred and without enmity.

Standing, walking, sitting, lying, as long as he is awake, he should be
mindful of the practice of unlimited loving-kindness, which is regarded
by the wise as `the divine state of the mind' in Buddhism.

He who has disengaged from wrong views, is endowed with morality,
is perfect in right views, and has removed the craving for sensual pleasure,
will never lie again in the mother's womb (i.e. be born again).

3. Jayamangala gatha

The Buddha, through his ten Perfections, beginning with charity, has
conquered Mara the Evil One who, having created a thousand hands all
armed, came riding on his war elephant Girimekhala, together with his
army. By this power, may you be endowed with conquests and blessings.

The Buddha, through his peaceful training of self-restraint, has conquered
the impatient, aggressive and terrible demon Alavaka who, being
superior to all other demons, fought against Him throughout the night.
By this power, may you be endowed with conquests and blessings.

The Buddha, through the sprinkling of the water of loving-kindness,
has conquered the noble elephant Nalagiri who, completely bewildered,
was as dreadful as a jungle-fire, a disc missile or a bolt of lightning.
By this power, may you be endowed with conquests and blessings.

The Buddha, through the exercise of his psychic power, has conquered
the formidable robber Angulimala who, brandishing a sword, had covered
a distance of three Yojana in pursuit of Him. By this power, may you be
endowed with conquests and blessings.

The Buddha, through self-possession and modesty in the midst of the
audience, conquered the insult of the woman named Cinca who feigned
pregnancy by attaching a piece of wood to her abdomen. By this power,
may you be endowed with conquests and blessings.

The Buddha, brilliant with the light of wisdom, conquered the bewildered,
unscrupulous Niggantha called Saccaka who, being self-absorbed
by the flag of falsehood, was befooled by his own words. By this power,
may you be endowed with conquests and blessings.

The Buddha, through his instruction of psychic power to his mighty
son (The Elder Moggallana), had the powerful serpent-king Nandopananda,
the misbeliever, tamed (by the Elder). By this power, may you be endowed
with conquests and blessings.

The Buddha, through administering his elixir of Insight, conquered
a Brahma (god) called Baka who, misled by his own transcendental and
super-normal psychic powers, had his hands tightly bound by the snakes
of his own misconceived ideals. By this power, may you be endowed with
conquests and blessings.

A wise and industrious reciting or recollecting every day of these
eight themes of the Buddha's conquests, shall overcome dangers and
obstacles and attain the highest bliss of Emancipation.

4. Khandha paritta

You should practise loving-kindness toward these four kinds of snakes
namely: `Virupakkha', `Erapatha', `Chabbya-putta', and `Kanhagotamaka'.

You should practise loving-kindness toward beings who have no legs,
beings who have two legs, beings who have four legs, and beings who have
many legs.

You should hope that no harm befalls you from beings who have no
legs, from beings who have two legs, from beings who have four legs, and
from beings who have many legs.

You should wish that all beings be free from suffering and be happy.

The virtues of the Buddha, the Doctrine, the Order are immeasurable
and unlimited.

The virtues of other beings can be measured and are limited. All beings
cannot be harmed if they always remember the Buddha, the Doctrine, and
the Order and practise loving-kindness to all.

5. Atanatiya paritta

My obeisance is made to the Lord Buddha whose name is Vipassi, the
all-seeing, the glorious.

My obeisance is made to the Lord Buddha whose name is Sikhi, who
gives help to all creatures.

My obeisance is made to the Lord Buddha whose name is Vessabhu,
who is purified from lust, who practises asceticism.

My obeisance is made to the Lord Buddha who has the name Kakusandha,
who put down Mara and the attendants of Mara.

My obeisance is made to the Lord Buddha whose name is Konagamana,
whose misdeeds have floated away, who has acquired the ascetic virtues.

My obeisance is made to the Lord Buddha whose name is Kassapa, who
has escaped from all lust.

My obeisance is made to the Lord Buddha, whose name is Angirasa,
who was the son of the glorious Sakya Lord.

The Buddha Lords proclaimed this Dharma as the means of alleviating
all suffering. All the Buddhas who have extinguished lust in the world
have seen clearly the Dharma according to the truth. Those Buddhas
were without wickedness, were great in virtue and were without anxiety.

Devatas and men make obeisance to the Lord Buddha who was Gotama
Gotara, the benefactor and helper of devatas and men, who was filled
with wisdom and right conduct, was great in virtue and was without
anxiety.

We all worship the Lord Buddha Gotama Gotara, who attained wisdom
and knowledge of right conduct. All the Buddhas, whether these or others
—more than a hundred kotis in number (10,000,000)—all these Buddhas
are equal, and no one is equal to them in power. All these Buddhas are
filled with strength and with courage. All these Buddhas, possessing
enlightenment, attained a place of leadership. All these Buddhas were
brave, fearless, their greatness was known to the four groups, they set
in motion the Brahma-wheel as no one else has ever done in this world.

All these Buddhas possessed the eighteen Buddhadharmas and were
leaders who led creatures out of suffering. They possessed the thirty-two
characteristics and the eighty characteristics and had radiance which
extended six feet on each side of them. They all were munis.

All these Buddhas were omniscient, without lust—having conquered
desire, they possessed great glory and great power, great wisdom, great
strength, great mercy. They were sages who brought happiness to all
creatures. They were islands, refuges that protected against evil and
places of retreat for all creatures. They were examples, kinsmen, joyful
ones, objects of reflection, and seekers of benefits for creatures of this
world and in the deva world.

All these Buddhas were in advance of men. I humbly worship the
feet of all these Buddhas with bowed head. I humbly worship all these
Buddhas who were glorious beings, who were Tathagatas in word and
heart, in lying, in standing, in walking—at all times.

All the Buddhas who attained peace, may they care for you at all
times. Those whom the Buddha Lords have cared for attained peace
also, they escaped from all danger, they escaped from all disease, they
escaped from all anxiety and from all recurring ills (evil karma), their
suffering was extinguished. May you be free from all ills, may all disease
be destroyed, may no dangers come to you. May you have happiness and
old age. May the four dharmas, namely old age, health, happiness and
strength come to those who worship before the one worthy of reverence.
We bow before that one who is eternally good.