THE GREAT CHRONICLE OF BUDDHAS
540
on the
paritta
without any distractions.
(2)
AjjÈsaya Sampatti
means listening to the
paritta
wholeheartedly, with full confidence
in the efficacy and beneficial result of listening to the
paritta
, not just to oblige and
please the person who invites one to listen to the
paritta
but with wholesome desire to
gain merit.
Listeners of the
paritta
should abandon the two factors of
vippatti
as mentioned above
and strive to be accomplished in the two
sampattis
, so as to secure the true of benefit of
protection from impending dangers.
Just as the
paritta
reciter has to abandon the two factors of failure and to become
accomplished in the two factors of success, so also the listener has to do likewise.
End of the administration of the Paritta recitation.
Parittas that possess Unique Power
(1)
Ratana Sutta
is possessed of power which extends over one hundred thousand crores
of world-systems. It has brought about the realization of
magga-phala
ÒÈÓa
and
attainment of NibbÈna by five lakhs eighty-eight thousand devas, humans and
BrahmÈs. It is therefore a ward-rune or
paritta
of great authority or influence.
(2)
Ma~gala Sutta
is also possessed of power which extends over one hundred thousand
crores of world-systems. Innumerable number of devas, humans and BrahmÈs have
realised
magga-phala-ÒÈÓa
and attained NibbÈna through listening to this
sutta
.
(3)
MettÈ
Sutta
is a well known
sutta
of great power. Its authority extends over one
hundred thousand crores of world-systems. It had helped forest dwelling
bhikkhus
attain arahatship, through extinction of
Èsavas
. By assiduously and fully cultivating the
moral instructions laid down in this
sutta
, one can assuredly gain the Path to
emancipation. It is also a powerful
paritta
too.
(4)
Khandha
Sutta
is another powerful
sutta
, the authority of which extends over one
hundred thousand crores of world-systems. It has the power to ward off dangers from
various poison at all times. This
sutta
contains certain portions that describe the virtues
and glories of the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha and also the good effects of
loving-kindness (
mettÈ
). Thus it is a powerful
paritta
which can bring about unique
beneficial results.
(5)
Dhajagga Sutta
is also a
sutta
of great power which extends over one hundred
thousand crores of World systems. Contemplation of the virtues of the Buddha, the
Dhamma and the Sangha extolled in this
sutta
is a means to strengthen one's
intellectual power, to enjoy celestial bliss for three thousand world-cycles, to be reborn
as Sakka for eighty times, as a Universal Monarch for one thousand times, as an
ordinary king or emperor for countless number of times; to be always rich and
prosperous in every existence, when the properties he possesses cannot be lost, stolen
or destroyed. For one hundred thousand world-cycles, he would not be reborn in the
planes of woes nor would he be disturbed or shaken through fright which caused hair
to stand on end and goose flesh to appear. Such is the immense power of this sutta
which will ultimately lead one to arahatship.
(6)
Bojjha~ga Sutta
wields great authority which extends over one hundred thousand
crores of world-systems, possessing power to ward off danger and ailments. Thorough
and complete cultivation of the seven Factors of Enlightenment contained in this
sutta
leads to NibbÈna in this very life through realization of
magga
and
phala
ÒÈÓa
.
(7)
ŒtÈnÈtiya Sutta
was originally composed by the four Guardian Devas of
CatumahÈrajika Deva realm, having gathered together in the celestial city of Atanata.
They first paid homage to the Seven Buddhas, praising their virtues and attributes.
They then composed this
sutta
and made a proclamation: ‚Those unruly wild celestial
beings such as
yakkhas
who are not amenable to the instructions of the Buddha nor to
the code of conduct laid down by ourselves will be punished according to the celestial
laws.‛ The Guardian Devas then went to the Buddha, accompanied by a great number
of celestial guards and troops, and presented this powerful
sutta
, which they had