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This article is intended to
clarify the nature of ancient Buddhist chant, and its significance
to the admirers who are truly interested in inner peace and relaxation
through melodious Buddhist chant. The ancient Buddhist chant has
not been prevalent, even unknown and unheard, in the Western world
although it has been a popularly daily cultural and spiritual
exercise among the practitioners of Buddhism in Buddhist countries.
However, later in this century, the westerners are slowly beginning
to draw their attention to this ritual and spiritual practice.
It has been a curiosity in the minds of the Westerners as to how
Buddhists perpetually maintain to be serene and peaceful amid the
turmoil of the world. At the end of this article it may be clear
to the curious as to why and how they are able to maintain such
a life without stress and fear. Generally, Buddhists begin the daily
household and office activities, as a ritual practice, by listening
to the therapeutic chant (Pirith) by the Buddhist monks. It appears
that this practice paves the way to the listeners to invigorate
their life through the inter-connection with spiritual values in
chanting.
In a secular, material society as if today, the materialists, who
have totally immersed and devoted to sensual pleasures, may not
be interested in seeking the spiritual values deeming such values
have no influences over their lives. It seems that they tend to
hold onto this view due to two materially obvious reasons: either
because they are ignorant about the art of spiritual values or because
they are indifferent to any religious and cultural values. Even
though it is an urgent need for a peaceful life in their lives being
exposed to the modern secular society, the materialists seek fleeting
sensual pleasures by gratifying senses on account of their instantaneous
need of fulfilling unfading thirst through materialism.
As a response to the materialists, the ancient spiritual leaders
seem to (*In Sinhala "Pirith")
have taught various venues to spiritual healing. To provide
therapeutic values and spiritual healings to the Buddhist practitioners,
the art of spiritual chant therefore has not recently been created
by the Buddhists themselves as a remedy for a peaceful life, but
an ancient art that has been long practiced within the Buddhist
traditions and other religious traditions alike since the time of
Sakyamuni Buddha, the healer of the world.
This technique is originally said to have designed for the monastic
and the lay community alike as a religious practice to lay the foundation
for the spiritual goal. Aiming at the spiritual goal, Buddhist philosophy
can be practiced not only by employing the doctrine into practice
as a strict training but also by reciting, hearing the sutras delivered
by Sakyamuni Buddha. It is clear from the history of Buddhism, while
the monastic have been practicing Buddhist doctrine by completely
retiring to the forest habitation, the lay community have been practicing
by remaining in the society by reciting and listening to discourses
of the Buddha.
Therefore, it must be said that from its inception Buddhism has
doubtless made a yeoman service to humankind by teaching a universal
remedy to uproot the menacing human/social problem, which destroys
joy and serenity and by providing spiritual healings. One may wonder
as to what would this social/human problem be. As it is obviously
seen in every corner of the society, it is nothing else but the
suffering, insecurity and fear of losing things and people dear
to all. Next>>
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