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title: 誦經 The Significance of Paritta Chanting
description: "Paritta chanting is the recital of some of the Sutras uttered by the Buddha in the Pali language for the blessing and pr"
---

The Significance of Paritta Chanting

誦經

Paritta chanting is the recital of some of the Sutras uttered by the Buddha in the Pali language for the blessing and protection of the devotees.

誦念佛陀以巴利語講述的經典，能獲得祝福和保護。

Paritta Chanting or Sutra Chanting is a well-known Buddhist practice conducted all over the world, especially in Theravada Buddhist countries where the Pali language is used for recitals. Many of these are important sutras from the basic teachings of the Buddha which were selected by His disciples. Originally, these sutras were recorded on ola leaves about two thousand years ago. Later, they were compiled into a book known as the 'Paritta Chanting Book'. The names of the original books from which these sutras were selected are the Anguttara Nikaya, Majjhima Nikaya, Digha Nikaya, Samyutta Nikaya and Kuddaka Nikaya in the Sutra Pitaka.

誦念巴利文經典是一種普遍的佛教儀式，特別是奉行以巴利語為主的上座部佛教國家。很多重要的經典，是由佛陀的上座弟子結集的。這些原始經典，原本抄寫在貝葉上，後來編彙成巴利語誦念的《護衛經》。這些經文選自《經藏》中的《長部》、《中部》、《相應部》、《增支部》和《小部》。

The sutras that Buddhists recite for protection are known as Paritta Chanting. Here 'protection' means shielding ourselves from various forms of evil spirits, misfortune, sickness and influence of the planetary systems as well as instilling confidence in the mind. The vibrant sound of the chanting creates a very pleasing atmosphere in the vicinity. The rhythm of the chanting is also important. One might have noticed that when monks recite these sutras, different intonations are adopted to harmonize with different sutras intended for different quarters. It was found very early during man's spiritual development that certain rhythms of the human voice could produce significant psychological states of peacefulness and serenity in the minds of ardent listeners. Furthermore, intonation at certain levels would appeal to devas, whilst certain rhythms would created a good influence over lower beings like animals, snakes, or even spirits or ghosts. Therefore, a soothing and correct rhythm is an important aspect of Paritta Chanting.

佛教徒以巴利語誦念《護衛經》。誦念《護衛經》能保護信徒們不受邪靈、災難、病魔、星宿的影響和獲得信心。誦經的聲浪，能使得周圍環境安祥、寧靜。誦經的節奏也很重要，出家人以不同的節奏在不同的場合下，協調的誦念不同的經典。早期的人類已經發現到某些音調和節奏能令聽者在心靈產生寧靜與安祥。還有，聲調也能和護法神感應，聲調同時也對那些低等眾生，如：蛇類等、精靈道、鬼道、產生一種好的影響。因此，協調的音調和正確的節奏是誦念巴利文經典的重要組成部份。

The use of these rhythms is not confined to Buddhism alone. In every religion, when the followers recite their prayers by using the holy books, they follow certain rhythms. We can observe this when we listen to Quran reading by Muslims and the Veda Mantra Chanting by Hindu priests in the Sanskrit language. Some lovely chanting is also carried out by certain Christian groups, especially the Roman Catholic and Greek orthodox sects.

有節奏的誦經不僅是佛教的儀式，同時也是所有宗教推行的儀式。我們可以從回教徒誦念《古蘭經》和興都教徒梵文誦經儀式中發現這一點。基督教和它的各別教派，如：天主教、東正教，也都采取了各種優美的誦經方式為主要的宗教儀式。

When the sutras are chanted, three great and powerful forces are activated. These are the forces of the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha., Buddhism is the combination of these 'Three Jewels' and when invoked together they can bring great blessing to mankind.

誦經能生起三種巨大和強烈的力量，這就是佛、法、僧三寶的力量。佛教徒信奉三寶，三寶能為人類帶來很大的祝福。

The Buddha. He had cultivated all the great virtues, wisdom and enlightenment, developed His spiritual power and gave us His noble Teachings. Even though the physical presence of the Teacher is no more with us, His Teachings have remained for the benefit of mankind. Similarly, the man who discovered electricity is no more with us, yet by using his knowledge, the effect of his wisdom still remains. The illumination that we enjoy today is the result of his wisdom. The scientists who discovered atomic energy are no longer living, but the knowledge to use it remains with us. Likewise the Noble Teachings given us through the Buddha's wisdom and enlightenment, are a most effective power for people to draw inspiration from. When you remember Him and respect Him, you develop confidence in Him. When you recite or listen to the words uttered by Him, you invoke the power of His blessings.

一、佛寶：

佛陀從覺悟中發展的心靈力量和圓滿智慧的德行，再把這些神聖的經驗傳授給我們。雖然這位偉大的導師已經不在了，可是他所遺留下來的教誨，仍然在利益眾生。同樣的，發現電力的人已經不存在了，我們今天還在繼續的享用著電力與光明，這是發明家智慧的結晶。發現原子能的科學家已經不在了，他的發明卻與我們同在。

同樣的，我們可以從佛陀的覺悟和教誨，汲取靈感。當你懷念他、尊敬他時，就會對他產生信心。當你誦念或聆聽他所傳下來的經典，也就會獲得他的祝福。

Dhamma. It is the power of truth, justice and peace discovered by the Buddha which provides spiritual solace for devotees to maintain peace and happiness. When you develop your compassion, devotion and understanding, this power of the Dhamma protects you and helps you to develop more confidence and strength in your mind. Then your mind itself becomes a very powerful force for your own protection. When it is known that you uphold the Dhamma, people and other beings will respect you. The power of the Dhamma protects you from various kinds of bad influence and evil forces. Those who cannot understand the power of the Dhamma and how to live in accordance with the Dhamma, invariably surrender themselves to all forms of superstitious beliefs and subject themselves to the influence of many kinds of gods, spirits and mystical powers which require them to perform odd rites and rituals. By so doing, they only develop more fear and suspicion born out of ignorance. Large sums of money are spent on such practices and this could be easily avoided if people were to develop their confidence in the Dhamma. Dhamma is also described as 'nature' or 'natural phenomena' and 'cosmic law'. Those who have learnt the nature of these forces can protect themselves through the Dhamma. When the mind is calmed through perfect knowledge disturbances cannot create fear in the mind.

二、法寶：

這是被佛陀所發現的真理，讓所有的信徒都能獲得心靈的慰藉，和維持寧靜與快樂。從你的慈悲心、虔誠和理解方面的發展，佛法的力量會幫助你獲得更大的自信和心靈的力量。這種心靈的力量產生很大的保護作用。當一切眾生知道你奉行佛法時，就會尊重你。法寶能保護你不受邪惡力量的侵害。不了解佛法的人，無法過正道的生活，經常受到邪惡力量的誘惑，從事一些沒有利益的活動。這麼一來，他們的無明導致他們更加的恐懼和猜疑。

如果人們能夠正確的理解佛法，在佛法建立起信心，就不會花大筆金錢從事那些沒有意義的事。佛法是自然法，是自然的現象，也是宇宙法。理解自然的力量，就能通過佛法來保護自己。如果，我們獲得圓滿的智慧和寧靜時，一切外緣因素就不會影響我們的心識和造成恐懼了。

The Sangha. It refers to the holy order of monks who have renounced their worldly life for their spiritual development. They are considered as disciples of the Buddha, who have cultivated great virtues to attain sainthood or Arahantahood. We pay respect to the Sangha community as the custodians of the Buddha Sasana or those who had protected and introduced the Dhamma to the world over the last 2,500 years. The services rendered by the Sangha community has guided mankind to lead a righteous and noble life. They are the living link with the Enlightened One who bring His message to us through the recital of the words uttered by Him.

三、僧寶：

這是指神聖的僧人，放棄世間的生活追求心靈的發展。他們是佛陀的弟子，修持大德行，準備證悟聖果或阿拉漢果。我們尊敬僧團，因為他們是佛法的園丁，是聯系佛法和人們之間的橋梁，維護佛法和推薦佛法，二千五百年來，他們將佛法推廣到世界各地。僧團的義務就是引導人類過著正道和神聖的生活。僧團通過誦念佛經，將佛陀的教誨重新展現給我們。

The chanting of sutras for blessing was started during the Buddha's time. Later, in certain Buddhist countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand and Burma, this practice was developed further by organizing prolonged chanting for one whole night or for several days. With great devotion, devotees participated in the chanting sessions by listening attentively and intelligently. There were some occasions when the Buddha and His disciples chanted sutras to bring spiritual solace to people suffering from epidemics, famines, sickness and other natural disasters. On once occasion, when a child was reported to be affected by some evil influence, the Buddha instructed His monks to recite sutras to give protection to the child from the evil forces.

誦經開始于佛陀時代。後來在某些佛教國家，如：斯里蘭卡、泰國、緬甸發展為全日誦經或連續數日的誦經儀式。信徒虔誠的聆聽或參與誦經儀式。在某些情況下，佛陀及他的弟子們，為那些受天災、人禍、瘟疫、飢荒的人誦經祝福，為他們帶來心靈的慰藉。有一回，一個小孩子受到邪靈的侵犯，佛陀吩咐弟子們誦念經文，保護孩子免受邪靈的侵犯。

The blessing service, by way of chanting, was effective. Of course, there were instances when the sutra chanting could not be effective if the victims had committed some strong bad kamma. Nevertheless, certain minor bad kammic effects can be overcome by the vibrant power combined with the great virtues and compassion of those holy people who chant these sutras. Here, the overcoming of a bad kammic effect does not mean the complete eradication of the effect, but only a temporary suspension of such an effect.

透過誦念來祝福非常有效。當然，在某些時候，惡業的力量太大時，誦經還是無效的。有些輕微的惡業，可以通過出家人誦經而加以克服，因為出家人擁有大慈悲心和道德修持。誦經只能暫時壓制惡化，並不能消除惡業。

Devotees who were tired fatigued have experienced relief and calmness after listening to the chanting of sutras. Such an experience is different from that provided by music because music can create excitement in our mind and pander to our emotions but does not create spiritual devotion and confidence.

焦慮和疲勞的信徒，曾經透過誦經或聆聽，獲得寧靜和松懈。這種經驗和從音樂所獲得的不同，音樂會導致精神緊張。同時，音樂無法提供心靈的奉獻和信心。

For the last 2,500 years, Buddhist devotees have experienced the good effects of sutra chanting. We should try to understand how and why the words uttered by the Buddha for blessing purposes could be so effective even after His passing away. It is mentioned in the Buddha's teaching that ever since he had the aspiration to become a Buddha during His previous births, He had strongly upheld one particular principle, namely, to abstain from 'telling lies'. Without abusing or misusing His words, He spoke gently without hurting the feelings of others. The power of Truth has become a source of strength in the words uttered by the Buddha with great compassion. However, the power of the Buddha's word alone is not enough to secure blessing without the devotion and understanding of the devotees.

二千五百年來，佛教徒都體驗到透過誦經能獲得利益。我們必須嘗試去了解，為何佛陀入滅了這麼久，誦念他所講述的佛法，仍然有這麼廣大的祝福功效。經典中曾經提到：佛陀在他的過去世，發願圓成佛道時，堅持不說妄語。佛陀不說妄語，他溫柔的語言、柔美的聲音，從來不造成傷害。佛陀以他那大慈悲心，所闡述的真理，成為一種巨大的力量。然而，信徒必須了解，如果缺乏虔誠，單憑佛陀所闡述的真理，是不足以為他們祝福的。

The miraculous effect experienced by many people in ridding themselves of their sickness and many other mental disturbances through the medium of the Buddhist sutras, enabled them to develop their faith and confidence in this form of religious service.

很多信徒的疾病或精神的障礙，透過誦念佛經所產生的奇異力量，而獲得痊愈。因此對佛教建立起更大的信心和信仰。