Paritta chanting

It took almost an hour to complete. We quite enjoyed the soothing calmness of the paritta chanting session that two Sri Lankan monks had conducted at our house last 16th of December. They had been staying at the Nandaka Vihara Meditation Society for the past several months and were due to leave for their home monastery in Sri Lanka on Wednesday. But before they left, they had offered to conduct a personal paritta chanting session for us. Who were we to turn down their kindness? It was such a rare opportunity. We quickly arranged for several relatives and friends to join us as we felt that such blessings should be shared with others.

Paritta chanting is a Buddhist ritual observed particularly in Theravada Buddhist regions where the Pali language is used for recitations. These chants comprise essential sutras derived from the foundational teachings of Buddha. Originally inscribed on ola leaves around 2,000 years ago, these sutras were later compiled into a Paritta chanting book.

Bhante Neluve Aranagavesi (left) and Bhante Galagedara Thikkhindriya from the Na Uyana Aranya (Monastery) in Sri Lanka