166 CHAPTER VIII BOJJHANGA SUTTA^^AND PUBBANHA SUTTA 8 A.O. The history of Bojjhanga Sutta On one occasion, the Buddha was staying at Rajagaha in the bamboo grove, the feeding ground of black squirrels. At that time. Venerable Kassapa who was living in the Pipphali Cave was affected with a disease and was seriously ill. The Lord visited him and recited the Discourse on Seven Factors of Enlightenment. After the recitation the Lord gave a discourse on it. At the end, the Eider recovered from his illness. On another occasion, Venerable Maha Moggalana was living at Vultures' Peak (Gijjhakuta pabbata) and was gravely ill. So the Lord visited him. In the same way the Lord recited and taught the discourse to him. After hearing it the Venerable also recovered from his illness. On the third occasion, the Buddha who was living in the Bamboo Grove was afflicted with a disease and suffered great pain. Then Venerable Maha Cunda approached the Lord, paid respect to Him and took care of him. The Lord requested the Elder Cunda to recite the Seven Factors of Enlightenment as usual. Then the Lord recovered from all the illness. *^ Mahavagga samyutta, Samyutta nikaya.
167 These three cases are put forth to indicate and to recommend the magical healing power of the recitation of the Parittas and the Oath of truth. Hence the Burmese medicine-men practiced and used them. To recite this Bojjhahga sutta helps the patients recover quickly from their illness, and to initiate successful medical treatments. As a matter of fact the original suttas are found expounded in prose form by the Blessed One, in Mahavagga Samyutta pali. However the ancient Burmese (Myanmar) monks who were expert in Pali language, composed the consolidated discourse into verse form to be known as the Bojjhariga paritta Sutta of eleven stanzas. This Sutta is normally used for protection against sickness. 8.A.I. The Occasions of Recitation of Bojjhanga sutta In Myanmar Tradition for chanting this Bojjhahga Sutta occasions are such as for protection against and getting free from sickness and disease etc.. 8.A.2. The advantages of Bojjhanga Sutta: The advantages of the Bojjhahga Sutta are such as freedom from sickness, relief to patients and cure from diseases etc.. 8.A.3. THE TEXT OF BOJJHANGA SUTTA 1. Saihsare samsarantanarh, Sabbadukkhavinasane,
168 Satta dhamme ca Bojjharige, Marasenaparnaddane. 2. Bujjhitva ye cime satta, tibhava muttakuttama, Ajatimajarabyadhirh, Amatam nibbhayarh gata. 1.2. Having known by way of experience the seven kinds of Dhamma called Factors of Enlightenment which destroy all sufferings of beings who wander through this samsara (cycle of rebirths) and which defeat the army of Mara, the Evil One. These excellent persons were liberated from the three kinds of existence. They have reached (lit. gone to) Nibbana where there is no rebirth, ageing, disease, death and danger. 3. Evamadigunupetarh, Anekagunasahgaharh, Osadhaii ca iman mantarh, Bojjhagaii ca bhanama he. 3. Oh good people! Let us recite this Bojjhahga Sutta which is endowed with the aforementioned attributes, which gives not a few benefits and which is like a medicine and manta. 4. Bojjhahgo satisaiikhato, Dhammanarh vicayo tatha, Viriyampiti passaddhi, Bojjhahga ca tathapare, 5. Samadhupekkha bojjhahga, Sattete Sabbadassina, Munina sammadakkhata, Bhavita bahullkata. 6. Sarhvattanti abhihiiaya, Nibbanaya ca bodhiya, Etena saccavajjena, Sothi te hotu sabbada. 4.5.6. These seven Factors of Enlightenment, namely; mindfulness, investigation of Dhammas, effort (of energy), zest, tranquility, concentration and equanimity, which are well-expounded by the All- seeing Sage,
169 promote, when practiced repeatedly, penetration of the Truth, cessation of suffering and knowledge of the Path. By this utterance of truth, may there always be happiness for you. 8.A.4. Seven factors of Enlightenment (boijhangas) (From verse number five) a. Sati sambojjhanga- the enlightenment factor of mindfulness, b. dhammvicaya sariibojjhaiiga-the enlightenment factor of investi- gation of Dhamma. c. Vuiya sambojjhanga- the enlightenment factor of effort, d. Piti sambojjhanga- the enlightenment factor of rapture, e. Passaddhi sambojjhanga- the enlightenment factor of quietude, f. Samadhi sambojjhanga- the enlightenment factor of concentration, g. Upekkha saihbojjhanga- the enlightenment factor of equanimity. 7. Ekasmiih samaye Natho, Moggallananca Kassaparh. Gilane dukkhite disva, Bojjhahge satta desayi. 7. Once when the Lord saw Moggallana and Kassapa being unwell and suffering, he preached the seven Factors of Enlightenment. 8. Te ca tarn abhinanditva, Roga muccimsu tahkhane. Etena saccavajjena, Sotthi te hotu sabbada. 8. They, having rejoiced at the discourse, immediately were freed from the disease. By this utterance of truth, may there always be happiness to you. 9. Ekada Dhammaraja pi, GelanfienabhiplHto, Cundattherena tarn yeva, Bhanapetvana sadaram.
170 10. Sammoditvana abadha, Tamhavutthasi thanaso, Etena saccavajjena, Sotthi te hotu sabbada. 9-10. Once when the King of the Dhamma was oppressed by disease, he had the Venerable Cunda recite the discourse respectfully. And having rejoiced at the discourse the King of the Dhamma (Buddha) was immediately cured of the disease. By this utterance of truth, may there always be happiness to you. 11. Pahlna te ca abadha, Tinnannam pi Mahesinam, Maggahata kilesava. Pattanuppatti-dhammatam. Etena saccavajjena, Sotthi te hotu sabbada. Bojjhahga suttarh Nitthitam 11. The diseases of the three Great Sages that were eradicated reached the stage of never occurring again like the mental defilements eradicated by the Path. By this utterance of truth, may there always be happiness for you. End of Bojjhahga Sutta
171 PUBBANHA SUTTA^^ 8.B.O. The history of Pubbnha Sutta This discourse for protection is called Pubbanha Good Morning. Composed by wise sages of ancient time it contained nineteen stanzas based on the three verses found in Ahguttara Nikaya Pubbanha Sutta and one verse in Sutta Nipata Ratana Sutta. "Ye, bhikkhave, satta pubbanhasamayain kayena sucaritam caranti, vacaya sucaritam caranti, manasa sucaritam caranti, supubbanho, bhikkhave, tesam sattanam. "Ye, bhikkhave, satta majjhanhikasamayam kayena sucaritam caranti, vacaya sucaritam caranti, manasa sucaritam caranti, sumajjhanhiko, bhikkhave, tesam sattanam. "Ye, bhikkhave, satta sayanhasamayam kayena sucaritam caranti, vacaya sucaritam caranti, manasa sucaritam caranti, susayanho, bhikkhave, tesam sattana"nti. (Anguttara Nikaya pa. 298) "Oh! Noble Ones! Whosoever, at early morning, noon and evening practice a wholesome action of body, speech and mind, such a one will have a happy morning, a happy day and a happy evening." *' Sutta nipata, Khuddaka patha. Khuddaka nikaya, Ahguttara vol I, Pa- 299, Ahguttara Nikaya.
172 This Paritta is recited for protection against epidemics, wars and famine in a country, and for individuals. It is recited to avoid misfortunes due to undesirable influence of the planets. Though the name of the Paritta is good Morning, it can be chanted at any time- in the morning, afternoon or late in the evening. Being the eleventh Paritta in this hst of Discourse on Protection, we recite this discourse to wish all beings well and happy and be liberated from all suffering. 8.B.I. The Occasions of Recitation Ihibbanha sutta In Myanmar Tradition for chanting this Pubbanha Sutta occasions are such as for protecting against bad omens, bad luck, misfortune, terrible diseases, awful, bad fate, and.etc. 8.B.2. The advantages of Pubbanha Sutta: The advantages of the Pubbanha Sutta are to be free from dangers, bad omens, bad luck, misfortune, terrible diseases, awful and bad fate.etc. and then gaining happiness and peace. 8.A.3. THE TEXT OF PUBBANHA SUTTA 1. Yarn dunnimittarh avamahgalaii ca, Yo camanapo sakunassa saddo, Papaggaho dussupinam akantarh, Buddhanubhavena vinasa-mentu.
173 1. Whatever bad omens, inauspiciousness, undesirable sounds of births, unlucky planets, or unpleasant bad dreams there are, may they be destroyed by the power of the Buddha. 2. Yam dunnimittaih avamahgalafi ca, Yo camanapo sakunassa saddo, Papaggaho dussupinam akantam, Dhammanubhavena vinasa-mentu. 2, Whatever bad omens, inauspiciousness, undesirable sounds of births, unlucky planets, or unpleasant bad dreams there are, may they be destroyed by the power of the Dhamma. 3. Yam dunnimittaih avamahgalaii ca, Yo camanapo sakunassa saddo, Papaggaho dussupinam akantam, Sarhghanubhavena vinasa-mentu. 3. Whatever bad omens, inauspiciousness, undesirable sounds of births, unlucky planets, or unpleasant bad dreams there are, may they be destroyed by the power of the Sariigha. 4. Dukkhappatta ca niddukkha, Bhayappatta ca nibbhaya, Sokappatta ca nissoka, Hontu sabbe pi panino. 4. May all suffering beings be free from suffering. May all fear- struck beings be free from fear. May all grief-stricken beings be free from grief. 5. Ettavata ca amhehi, Sambhstarh punfiasampadarh, Sabbe devanumodantu, Sabbasampattisiddhiya.
174 5. For the acquisition of ail kinds of iiappiness, may all deities rejoice in the accomplishment of merit which we thus acquired. 6. Danamdadantu saddhaya, Sllariirakkhantu sabbada, Bhavanabhirata hontu, Gacchantu devatagata. 6. May you all practice charity with faith (in the Triple Gem). May you always keep moral precepts. May you all rejoice in mind-development. May the deities who have come (to the recitation) go back (to their homes). 7. Sabbe Buddha balappatta, Paccekanaiica yam balarh, Arahantanaii ca tejena, Rakkham bandhami sabbaso. 7. By the power of those Buddhas who possessed great physical and intellectual strength, and of the pacceka Buddhia and of the Arahants, I create protection for all times. 8. Yam kiiici vittarh idha va huram va, Saggesu va yam ratanarii panltarh, Na no samarii atthi Tathagatena, I dam pi Buddhe ratanarii panltarh, Etena saccena suvatthi hotu. 8. Whatever treasures there be either here or in the world beyond, or whatever precious jewel is in the world of the deities, there is none equal to the Accomplished One. In the Buddha is this precious jewel. By this utterance of truth, may there be happiness. 9. Yarii kiiici vittarh idha va hurarh va, Saggesu va yarii ratanarii panltarh,
175 Na no samam atthi Tathagatena, I dam pi Dhamme ratanarh panltarh, Etena saccena suvatthi hotu. 9. Whatever treasures there be either here or in the world beyond, or whatever precious jewel is in the world of the deities, there is none equal to the Accomplished One. In the Dhamma is this precious jewel. By this utterance of truth, may there be happiness. 10. Yam kiiici vittam idha va hurarh va, Saggesu va yam ratanarh panltarh, Na no samam atthi Tathagatena, I dam pi Saihghe ratanam panltarh, Etena saccena suvatthi hotu. 10. Whatever treasures there be either here or in the world beyond, or whatever precious jewel is in the world of the deities, there is none equal to the Accomplished One. In the Sarhgha is this precious jewel. By this utterance of truth, may there be happiness. From 8 to 10 these three stanzas are from Ratana sutta, Sutta nipata. 11. Bhavatu sabbamarigalarh, Rakkhantu sabbadevata, Sabba- Buddhanubhavena, Sada sukhl bhavantu te. 11. May there be all blessings. May all deities give protection. By the power of all Buddhas, may all beings be happy. 12. Bhavatu sabbamarigalarh, Rakkhantu sabbadevata, Sabba- Dhanimanubhavena, Sada sukhl bhavantu te.
176 12. May there be all blessings, May all deities give protection. By the power of all Dhammas, may all beings be happy. 13. Bhavatu sabbamangalaih, Rakkhantu sabbadevata, Sabba- Sarhghanubhavena, Sada sukhl bhavantu te. 13. May there be all blessings. May all deities give protection. By the power of all Sarhghas, may all beings be happy. 14. Mahakaruniko Natho, Hitaya sabbapaninarh, Puretva parami sabba, Patto sambodhi-muttamam, Etena saccavajjena, Sotthi te hotu sabbada. 14. The Lord who is possessed of great Compassion fulfilled all the perfection for the benefit of all beings and reached the highest state as the fully Enlightened One. By this utterance of truth, may there always be happiness for you. 15. Jayanto bodhiyamule, Sakyanam nandivaddhano, Eva-meva jayo hotu, Jayassu jayamahgale. 15. That joy-enhancer of the Sakyas was victorious at the foot of the tree of Enlightenment. Even so, may there be victory. May you attain joyous victory. 16. Aparajita- pallahke, Sise puthuvipukkhale, Abhiseke sabba- Buddhanam, Aggappatto pamodati. 16. (That joy-enhancer of the Sakyas) rejoices having reached the highest state at the spot which is undefeatable, the best on the earth, and the consecration place of all Buddhas.
177 17. Sunakkhattaih sumangalam, Suppabhatarh suhutthitarh, Sukhano sumuhutto ca, Suyittham brahmacarisu. 17. (On the day meritorious deeds are performed,) the stars are auspicious, blessings are auspicious, daybreak is auspicious, waking is auspicious, the moment is auspicious, and the time is auspicious. Offerings made to the holy ones on such a day are well-offered. 18. Padakkhinaih kayakammam, Vacakammaih padakkhinarh, Padakkhinaih manokammaih. Panldhi te padakkhine. 18. One such a day all bodily actions are felicitous, all verbal actions are felicitous, and all mental actions are felicitous.. These three kinds of action are established in felicity. 19. Padakkhinani katvana, Labhantatthe padakkhine, te atthaladdha sukhita, Virulha Buddhasasane, Aroga sukhita hotha, Saha sabbehi natibhi. Pubbanha suttam Nitthitam 19. People do good actions and therefore get good resuhs. Having obtained good results and growth in the Dispensation of the Buddha (Buddha sasana), May you have buss, be free from disease and be happy together with all your relatives, Among these Pubbanha stanzas the eighth is from Ratana Sutta, Sutta nipata. The numbers from seventeen to nineteen three stanzas are expressed by the Blessed One at Aiiguttara Nikaya Pubbahna Sutta.
178 Other Stanzas are not expressed by the Buddha. The ancient educated teachers arranged and compiled them for the generations of disciples. This being the eleventh paritta in this list of Discourse on Protection, we read the prayers and wishes, a sort of dissemination of love-or Loving kindness to one's ownself as well as to all other living creatures. The announcement as "Oh friend! Let us recite" is absent here in this particular concluding sutta. This may be the reason that some scholars count only ten paritta Suttas as authentic; and justify that the introductory part and this Pubbanha sutta (concluding prayers) are later additions of rather non canonical verses. The entire Paritta suttas are chanted recited and sometimes spelled in terms of Religious fervor in Myanmar, expecting imme-diate results or blessings here and now, in this very life. End of Pubbanha Sutta 8.B.4. Sharing Merit According to Myanmar tradition after any chanting and all meritorious work, a devotee if he himself chants all if some other person like a monk chants for him. Both of them they share their merit with others when its gain by them.
179 It should be noted this- normally Paritta chanting is performed by a monk for the householders. But even householders can chant Parittas if they know how to do it properly. In both cases merit is shared with the people around the chanter. The expression of the character is like this: "Having done these meritorious deeds, I now offer Sharing of merit to others." 8.B.5. Following is in Burmese expression: Eithopyuya, myatpunnyako, kyihtamyintkhung, myintmoetaungoo, makakyutha, kyaezooashin, mwaemikhinnhint, phakhintoear, yanyarpasay, amhyawaiei. Mathwaenicca, eikayako, saunthtapaytat, kosauntnatlae, malatsayya, paywainhaei. mittaawaenya, sayarthamar, bobwarkasa, yamayazar, daywaryakkha, eindabummar, arkathanat, ahtoomhatywae, mapyatpunnya, kuthalako, yakyaparsay, amhyawaiei, thatbaithatta, thattawarhu, narnarloka, anantatwin, mapyatsinkar, thattawartha, bonkoewanhint, winnyarnahtiti, tishikhunhitpar, myarswarloneson, bonthonesanttit, phyitphyitthamhya, waianyyaar, amhyakuthol, paywailoei, Thokusla, eipunnyako, amhyayakyathi, phyitsaythow. Wathondaray, eimyapanthu, thilarhtulae, thatthayamhu, tisaythow.
180 Following is the translation of Burmese expression: I share this deed of good merits with my parents, my mother, and my father, to whom I owe my immeasurable gratitude, the extent to which are much more and many times higher than the heights of mount Meru. I share this deed of good merit with Angels who looks after my impersonality. I share this deed of good merits with friends, relatives, teachers, grand parents, ancestors and 'Yamayaza' the Spirit of Death, all sentient beings, all living creatures in water, earth and in the sky, as well as all living beings in the thirty one realms of cosmic abode. May all share and receive this deed of good merit. As the earth bears witness to this my act of kindness, may you all share and receive as much as 1 do this meritorious deed. Amhya... Amhya...Amhya (Share, share, share) Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu.. (Well-done, well-done, well-done)
181 8.B.6. Occasional Parittas chanting and regular chanting I mentioned above those eleven Paritta suttas which are use commonly in Myanmar the country Chanting Paritta. Otherwise we also have different individual and particular chanting, society and community chantings. i. Particular personal chanting; In Myanmar some devotees have daily practice of recitation of some Suttas and Gathas from Pali cannon text according to their ideas and wishes. They are as follow: 1. Dhamma cakkapavattana sutta, 2. Abhinha Sutta, 3. Mahasamaya Sutta, 4. Chadisapala sutta, 5. Patthana paccaya niddesa pali, 6. Dharana paritta pali, 7. Maccha raja sutta, 8. Sabba jayamangala gatha, 9. Sirasmim gatha, 10. Sambuddhe gatha, 11. Pathama Buddhavacana Udana gatha,
182 12. Acinteya gatha, 13. Shin (venerable) Sivaligatha, 14. Shin (venerable) Upagutta gatha, 15. Saranagum gatha, 16. Tapparayana saranagum gatha, 17. Pathavljayamanta Pali etc.. ii. The Society (community) chanting Some Buddhist communities celebrate Paritta chanting and Abhidhamma Puja prevailingly. In the whole country of Myanmar they chant according to their idea seasonally and yearly. All people who believe in chanting Paritta gather together at the eve of the New Year and the day of New Year. That great occasion is very popular in Myanmar until present time. They separately chant in the whole country in groups. Particularly each of the villages, roads, quarters and towns in the whole country gathers in some place. A few monks are invited and fetched in order to chant by appropriate laity of the place where the chanting is to take place. Monks would chant mainly Discourse such as Mangala, Ratana, Metta suttas and some benedictory regular recital according to the time and objective of the moment. Such as; 1. Dhamma cakkapavattana sutta, 2. Abhinha Sutta,
183 3. Mahasamaya Sutta, 4. Patthana paccaya niddesa pali, 5. Dharana paritta pali, 6. Maccha raja sutta etc.. At the end of the chaining, monks tie Paritta threads on their right hands, necks and give Paritta water to drink and to keep for the future use. Recitation of Abhiddhanuna This recitation of Abhiddhamma ceremony (Abhidhamma Puja) is specially performed with respect to Dhamma (the teaching of Buddha). Because we all Myanmar people believe strongly that Abhidhamma Pitaka will vanish first from the world according to Sutta Pathika commentary. Therefore we people earnestly cerebrate recitation of Abhiddhamma Puja when we have proper time. The great Abhidhamma puja ceremony is generally chanted continuously (day and night) three days, five days, seven days, tow weeks and one months etc.. But more personnel of both monks and laymen are necessary to conduct various responsibilities during those cerebration days. Abhidhamma pitaka includs seven subdivisions: They are; i. DhammasaiiganI, ii, Vibhanga, iii. Dhatukatha
184 iv. Puggalapanntti, V. Kathavatthu, vi. Yamaka, vii. Patthana Among these seven subdivisions of Abhidhamma, Patthana will be vanished first more than others because it is very difficult to understand and consists of the deep meaning. Especially we Myanmar people also celebrate Patthana Puja in the whole of country such as above mentioned Abhidhamma puja. Pathana includs five books (five volumes). And then, in a few places they celebrate recitation of five Nikayas and three Pitakas chanting in Myanmar until today. Therefore we Myanmar people believe that all the Buddha vacanas (Dhamma kkhandha) are to protect and to give freedom from any harms and dangers.