Abstract

• The Buddha taught Dhamma for the welfare of the many not only in this life but in the next life. Since Buddhism has been introduced in Burma, Buddhist teachings the Dhamma is the guiding light in their daily life and Myanmars believe they will gain happiness in the present life as well as hereafter through Buddhist ways. Among Buddhist teachings, Paritta discourses were taught by the Buddha so that monks and nuns could live in forests and hermitages safely and peacefully. In Pyu Period, there are some manuscripts mentioning three Paritta discourses. In Pagan Period, there are murals, glazed plaques and cloth paintings in the Lokahteikpan temple, Thadhammaransi temple, Alopyi temple, Dhammarajaka pagoda, etc, which illustrate the Paritta events. There are inscriptions mentioning Paritta recitation on special occasions. There are eleven Paritta discourses. The research problem is; ‘Is Paritta recitation Mahayana tradition?’, as said by a renowned historian. In Theravada Buddhism also, the Buddha taught Paritta discourses and his followers recite Paritta discourses to evade danger and gain enlightenment. There are obligations which musts be fulfilled by the reciter and listeners of Paritta discourses. In fact, Paritta recitation has been taught by all Buddhas and Bodhisatta also used Paritta flowers, sand and thread to protect himself. At the present time, there are some occasions of Paritta recitation done by monks and lay people. So long as Buddhism has been propagated in Burma, the tradition of Paritta recitation will last for years. Paritta thread, water, sand and flowers are used as protective and curative factors.