Posted on 10/02/2007 11:02:28 PM PDT by Brian_Baldwin
From the “Eleven Holy Discourses of Protection” by Sao Htun Hmat Win printed First Impression 1981 of 3,000 copies as edited by Kaba-Aye U Chit Tin of Ciram Titthatu Sadohammo Religious Affairs Dept, Rangoon Burma (1981, translated from Pali language). This is a collection of what the Burmese monks call “spells” or “prayers” and are of very ancient origin. This paper copy of the “Eleven” was released as only 3,000 copies in 1981 in Burma as an English translation of the “spells” which invoke “protection”. These “Eleven” probably come from very early Burmese tradition, in very early pagan times they were the “Paritta spells” used as a charm to bring protection (later to monks). The common versions known go back to 1102 A.D. in which the “Glass Palace” Chronicle(s) document 4108 monks reciting them. Today, there is no doubt Buddhist monks in what is now called Myanmar (former Burma) who are reciting any one of them for protection. Today, there are Burmese Buddhist monks who are being murdered. It is happening right now. In my collection, library, I found this copy and would like to share only one of the “spells” in solidarity with those who are being murdered today, in as much as a respectful hope and prayer for them. Perhaps sharing this with others will be of interest and take one into their world if only for a moment to think about their suffering which they are so bravely baring at this very moment.
I have selected only one of the “spells” of the Maha Paritta Pali Text of Great Protection, called the “Mora Sutta” or “The Discourse on the Peacock’s Prayer” from this very ancient Burmese tradition.
No doubt the entire understanding of this is lost to us, and even to Burma, it is very ancient, but takes place in the imagery of what is likely the sun, which was seen to be a peacock, and later seen to be the Buddha. The peacock is golden. In Buddhist texts, Siddhartha (the Prince from Nepal who was to become known as “The Buddha” or “The Intellect” which is a Sanskrit based word, Buddha – mind, Buddha – intellect, intellectual), also narrated this same context at the “Jetavana Monastery”. The peacock is seen as golden (sun) residing on the mountain “Dandaka” in the Himalaya mountain range (in Northern India, Nepal, Tibet). This peacock was said to sit at the summit of this mountain at the dawn of the day. The peacock would watch the rising sun, and would speak to the sun and be one with the sun.
Then one day a hunter saw the golden peacock. He told of the “wonders” of the bird to his son. What happened to his son is lost in the story, but no doubt conveys that the story was passed on from generation to generation. In India there is a very ancient city known as Varanasi (formerly known as Benares), and there was in very ancient times a queen of Varanasi called Khema. She had a dream of this very peacock, and demanded the King to bring the bird to the palace. The king heard that this hunter knew where the peacock was, and got this hunter to report to his men, and convinced the hunter to become his hire to capture the peacock. But after seven years of trying, this hunter died in the mountains of the Himalayas, never to return with the golden peacock.
The seventh generation ancestor to this King, whom this story of the golden peacock was told from one to the next, also desired to find the golden peacock. He also sent a hunter into the mountains, but this time with a beautiful peahen (female peacock). With this peahen, the hunter was actually able to snare the bird.
Having been brought before the King of Varanasi, some secret was revealed that this peacock was special, that if released the bird would led the King to a lake in which there would be found a wonderful chariot. In fact, this chariot was found in the very lake the peacock went to, upon which the King decided that it would be wise to let the bird go to fly back to the hill of Dandaka, to give the bird FREEDOM, being that this strange event which was foretold had been proven, and being that if this was the very same golden peacock that it must be very, very old, more than seven generations.
There is a hope, that in the spell, something strange will happen, some event, that will be beyond normal human understanding, which will led a captor to allow another to have freedom.
From that time, there was a spell that is said to have been revealed by the golden peacock, for protection. These are the words of the spell. In this spell are the words “freedom”. This is not a mistranslation. In fact, the same meaning is meant.
(1) There rises the thousand eyed King.
(2) Making the world bright with a golden light.
(3) I wonder at you, glorious wing, golden light, which makes the world so bright.
(4) In this coming day, keep me safe.
(5) The saints, and the good, the wise and learned in ancient story,
(6) I ask that they may protect me, whom I adore.
(7) And let us give respect to those who are wise, and honor their wisdom.
(8) Let us honor freedom, and to those who have achieved freedom.
That is the extent of the spell. It is very simple, and very old. Today Buddhist monks in Burma recite it. But there is no doubt, it has been recited in one form or another, one story by word of mouth, since the very earliest times by the people of Burma. Perhaps the golden peacock is the sun. Perhaps a spell cannot change anything. But, I am thinking about this spell of protection, which invokes the hope for freedom, at a time when the very monks who recite it are now dying. Perhaps it is on their mind at this time as well, as they await the knock.
ping
“what is now called Myanmar (former Burma)”
The US does not recognize the wierd name given to Burma by the murdering military thugs. Didn’t Pol Pot do the same? Still Cambodia, still Burma. Besides “Myblahblah” is Burmese for “If we kill a foreigner, and it’s caught on tape, we may apologize. If it’s one of our monks, a free swamp burial is provided.” Or something like that.
And where is the international outcry from Budhists?
Thai Sangha say : fighting is not the Buddha’s way
Do not get involved in political , just allow what will arise to arise and what will pass to pass . All will die , nothing to fight for , let go...
Only one thing however: The Sangha , Burmese and Thai, rely on the lay people to provide the ‘requisites’ , donations , food/alms , clothe , etc...If the lay people are sorely oppressed by their evil and oppressive governments and / or killed , how will the lay people support the Sangha ??
Without a somewhat prosperous laity , the Sangha will also die. So where does the complacency of the Sangha with this ‘hands off’ approach show usefulness? It doesn’t .
They are being cowardly and lazy hypocrites , and one day themselves shall have to eat the bitter fruit of not standing up for Freedom when they were called.
Well, you just highlighted the reason for much of Indonesia and Malaysia converting to Islam, not to mention former Buddhist strongholds in the regions that are now Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir and Bangladesh- all former Buddhist-dominant areas.
Buddhist pacifism is totally incompatible and unsurvivable with ideologies like Islam and Communism. With modernisation, it is possible to check their influence (see Thailand/ Korea/ Japan) but otherwise, it is in great danger with these forces around.
I agree , I see in many places and in many ways , Buddhism is dooming itself to extinction . Of course that may be the goal anyway !
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