Whether it be clergy or laity, to protect one’s life or to escape calamities, bad spells, sicknesses or nonhuman evil forces, a tremendous amount of faith is placed on paritta-discourses.[i]  Now, such faith is correct… is fruitful.

Still, the real power, the real fruit, of the paritta-discourse lies not in their chanting nor in listening to such chanting. In present society, there seems to be a tendency to limit the application of the paritta-discourse merely to chanting or listening to such chant. The art, the habit, the instinctive knowledge, of putting into action the meaning of the paritta-discourse through one’s life, is getting farther away from society. The true power of the paritta-discourse lies in putting its meaning into practice through one’s life. Once someone asked the Bhikkhu thus: “Venerable Sir, how come you don’t know paritta-discourses by heart? Why don’t you use a book of paritta-discourses?” The Bhikkhu’s reply was, “Observe the manner in which the Bhikkhu’s mind, body and speech operate. What you see thus, is the book of paritta-discourses.” Despite not having learnt paritta-discourses by heart nor having made any effort to recite them for others, just like a book of paritta-discourses I dwell having added to my life the true essence of the paritta-discourse. You too, be skilful to make your life into a book of paritta-discourses. Then you will become sacred.

[i] The Pāli term ‘paritta’ means protection, safety. Paritta-discourses are selected discourses of the Buddha that are chanted for protection by laity and clergy alike. ‘Paritta chanting’ refers to such chanting.