ฺ An Analytical Study of Buddhist Sibsong Tamnan Chanting in Thai Society

Abstract

The purposes of this research article were 1) to study practicing Buddhamantra in Buddhism; 2) to study Dhamma principles appearing in Buddhist Sibsong Tamnan; and 3) to analyze Buddhist Sibsong Tamnan Chanting in Thai society. It was a qualitative research by studying relevant documents and research, collecting data, and summarizing the results with descriptive content analysis. It was found that 1) Buddhist chanting included recount, which was reciting, chanting, or reviewing the teachings of the Lord Buddha appearing in Tipitaka, and poetic words composed later that were revered as sacred words to be able to ward off various dangers. It began in the city of Vesali since the Buddha's time in order to eliminate three dangers: famine (Dubbhikkhabhaya), evil spirits causing harm (Amanusabhaya), illness (disease); 2) Dhamma principles  appearing in Buddhist Sibsong Tamnan included kindness, truthfulness, respect and humility, meditation, Dharma conduct and forgiveness including Punkiriiya-vatthu and Tisikkha, and 3) Buddhist Sibsong Tamnan chanting in Thai Society had two important objectives: (1) Buddhist chanting to preserve the religion, (2) Buddhist chanting  to protect from danger. At present, there are 3 forms of application of Buddhist chanting for treatment, namely (1) chanting by oneself, healing one's own mind, (2) listening to others chanting, then healing your own mind, and (3) chanting and healing others. Therefore, traditional Buddhist chanting was only part of the ritual. It was not the essence of Buddhism. The real aim lied in knowing the meaning of each Buddhist chanting and then putting it into practice to truly create the Magga, Phala and Nibbana for both the chanter and the listener.