B u d d h i st Fe st i va l s a n d Tra d i t i o n s

Presented By
Bhikkhu Dhammarama
SIBA-BABL 14-13
Content
Introduction
Origin of Paritta
Purposes of Paritta Chanting
Factors for the Efficacy of Paritta
Proper way of performing
Conclusion
Bibliography
Introduction
Most of traditional festivals are directly connected to a certain a
religion or religions
Buddhism does not recommend the mere devotional and blind-
faith religious rituals or ceremonies
With the various expectations of people and with the development
of Popular Buddhism

Performed for the acquisition of merit

Directed towards securing worldly prosperity
Adopted from folk religion
Origin &
meaning
Protective chants or runes granted by the Buddha
Khandha Paritta in Culla Vagga
Metta Sutta in Sutta Nipta
Ratana Sutta in Sutta Nipta
Pirit-Pota, known in Pli as Catubhnavra

Parisamantato tyati rakkhatti parittam

Mah tejavantatya samanta to sattnam bhayam upaddavam
upasaggam catyti rakkhatti parittam
Antaryam pariharantam tyatti parittam
Paritov sabbpaddavato tyatti parittam
Purposes
Vipattipai bhya
sabba sampattisiddhiy
sabbadukkha.. bhaya.. roga vinsya
parittam brtha mangalam

Mental and Physical well-being through listening with wisdom

Mah Kassapa/ Mah Moggallna/ Mah Cunda thera
Bhojjhanga
Girimananda Sutta
Chants for the attainment of general success
Efficacy
Main 4 factors for the Efficacy of Paritta
The Power of Truth
Paritta recital is a form of saccakiriya asseveration of truth
The Power of Virtue
Virtue protects the virtuous person
The Power of Love
Wishing with Love and compassion towards listeners
The Power of Sound
Sonorous and Mellifluous recital
Way of Performing
Special pavilion called the Pirit Mandapaya
A Coconut Raceme
The filtered water pot or Pan Kalaya
Paritta Cord or Pirith Huya
Indrakhla
A palm-leaf copy of the Pirit-Pota
Conclusion
Mah paritta has been become one of the most significance
Buddhist festivals
Pirit-Pota, known in Pli as Catubhnavra
Paritta is capable for consoling people

Performed for the acquisition of merit

Directed towards securing worldly prosperity
Adopted from folk religion

People are not critically aware of the ritualistic activities

References
Primary Sources
Sri Rahula Anunayaka Thera A. (2005). Piruwana Poth Wahanse. Ebood PDF Version.
The Commentary, Paramattha Jotik, Ebood PDF Version.

Secondary Sources
Ananda K. Komaraswamy. (1956). Mediaeval Sinhalese Art. Pantheon Books, New York.
Adikaram. E.W. (1946). Early History of Buddhism in Ceylon. Migoda, Sri Lanka.
Kariyawasam A. G. S. (1996). Buddhist Ceremonies and Rituals of Sri Lanka. Buddhist Publication
Society, Kandy.
Sarachchandra. E.R. (1966). The Folk Drama of Ceylon, 2nd ed. Department of Cultural Affairs, Sri
Lanka Government.

Online Sources
Stanford Encyclopedia of Buddhism, 2015
http://www.dharmanet.org, 2000