Dhajagga Sutta: Banner Protection

Weychin SG

Thus have I heard:

On one occasion the Blessed One was living near Savatthi at Jetavana at the monastery of Anathapindika. Then he addressed the monks saying, "O monks." — "Venerable Sir," said the monks by way of reply to the Blessed One. Thereupon he spoke as follows:

"Monks, I shall relate a former incident. There arose a battle between the Devas (gods) and Asuras. Then Sakka, the Lord of the devas, addressed the devas of the Tavatimsa heaven thus:

"'Happy ones, if the devas who have gone to the battle should experience fear or terror or suffer from hair standing on end, let them behold the crest of my own banner. If you do so, any fear, terror or hair standing on end arising in you will pass away.

"'If you fail to look up to the crest of my banner, look at the crest of the banner of Pajapati, King of gods. If you do so, any fear, terror or hair standing on end arising in you will pass away.

"'If you fail to look up to the crest of Pajapati, King of the gods, look at the crest of the banner of Varuna, King of the gods. If you do so, any fear, terror or hair standing on end arising in you will pass away.'

"Monks, any fear, terror or hair standing on end arising in them who look at the crest of the banner of Sakka... The Lord of the gods, of Pajapati... of Varuna... of Isana, the King of the gods, any fear terror or hair standing on end, may pass away, or may not pass away. What is the reason for this?

"Sakka, the Lord of gods, O monks, is not free from lust, not free from hate, not free from delusion, and is therefore liable to fear, terror, fright, and flight. I also say unto you O monks — if any fear, terror or hair standing on end should arise in you when you have gone to the forest or to the foot of a tree, or to an empty house (lonely place), then think only of me thus:

"'Such Indeed is the Blessed One, arahant (Consummate One), supremely enlightened, endowed with knowledge and virtue, welcome being, knower of worlds, the peerless trainer of persons, teacher of gods and men, the Buddha, the Blessed One.' Monks, if you think of me, any fear, terror, or standing of hair on end, that may arise in you, will pass away.

"If you fail to think of me, then think of the Dhamma (the Doctrine) thus: 'Well expounded is the Dhamma by the Blessed One, a Dhamma to be realized by oneself and gives immediate results, a Dhamma which invites investigation and leads up to Nibbana, a Dhamma to be understood by the wise each for himself.' Monks, if you think of the Dhamma, any fear, terror or hair standing on end, that may arise in you, will pass away.

"If you fail to think of the Dhamma, then think of the Sangha (the Order) thus: 'Of good conduct is the Order of Disciples of the Blessed One, of upright conduct is the Order of Disciples of the Blessed One, of wise conduct is the Order of Disciples of the Blessed One, of dutiful conduct is the Order of Disciples of the Blessed One. This Order of Disciples of the Blessed One — namely those four pairs of persons,[1] the eight kinds of individuals[2] — is worthy of offerings, is worthy of hospitality, is worthy of gifts, is worthy of reverential salutations, is an incomparable field of merit for the world.' Monks, if you think of the Sangha, any fear, terror or hair standing on end, that may arise in you, will pass away. What is the reason for this? The Tathagata, O monks, who is arahant, supremely enlightened, is free from lust, free from hate, is free from delusion, and is not liable to fear, terror, fright or flight."

So said the Blessed One. Having thus spoken, the teacher, the "Welcome Being" (Sugata), further said:

Weychin SG

THE CREST OF THE BANNER

Broadcast by U Aung Than.

Vol. VIII, No. 2, 19

http://www.myanmarnet.net/nibbana/aungthn1.htm

During the Buddha's lifetime too there were wars. There can be no Real Peace in the world, there can be no paradise on earth.

We, however, know that Good begets Good and Evil begets Evil, and that Good can be performed by Thought, Word and Deed. Thoughts, even by the mere fact that they keep away evil, are good, but Good Thoughts will do more than that. They wilt surely lead to Good Words and Good Deeds; Good Thoughts are the essential basis of all that is Good.

In the Teaching of the Buddha there are grouped certain Suttas, selected for the Good Thoughts, Words and Deeds they lead to. Of these Suttas, generally known as the Paritta Suttas, Discourses that give protection, the Dhajagga Sutta , the discourse on the Crest of Banner, is one which gives protection from the dangers of War. The martial banner is hoisted high and the followers are enjoined to look up at it. Look up at what? At that which floats above everything and forever at the crest,—the virtues of the Buddha, the Exalted One, the Utterly Awakened; the virtues of theSaddhamma, so well expounded by the Blessed One; and the virtues of the Order of Disciples of the Blessed One, the incomparable field of merit. And such 'looking up"—remembrance will give complete freedom from Fear. It is said that the recital of texts, the reading of holy writings, the listening to discourses and the like are of great merit, if done with true devotion, as they raise and fortify the courage of the follower in times of temptation, strengthen his confidence in himself and the doctrine, and promote through a developed mind, good activities which will lead in time to complete happiness

In the words of the Venerable Kassapa Thera

"Fly high the banner of Truth.

Preach for the teaching Pure.

In moments when the hand of terror

Clutches coldly at the heart,

Think not of gods—for they too tremble.

In times of loneliness and darkness

When the lamp of hope burns low,

Think not of gods—their light too passes.

In hours of long-drawn agony

Too-cruel for words, too deep for tears,

Think not of gods—for they too sorrow.

Think of the Buddha, the Conqueror!

Think of the Dhamma, Eternal Light!

Think of the Sangha, Host of Joy!

Ariyan warrior, remember these!

May all beings be well and happy!

Weychin SG

Additional articles: -

http://www.burmesebuddhisttemple.org.sg/articles/intro_paritta.html#7. INTRODUCTION TO DHAJAGGA SUTTA7. INTRODUCTION TO DHAJAGGA SUTTA

DISCOURSE ON THE CREST OF BANNER

When the Blessed One was staying at monastery of Anathapindika, in Jeta’s Grove near Savatthi, He spoke to the monks as follows: "Long ago there was a fierce battle between large group of devas (gods) and asuras (titans). The king of the gods told his men that should they become frightened, they need only look up at crest of banner of him and the other three kings of gods- Pajapati, Varuna and Isana. Then the rising of fear, panic and tingly sensation of the flesh would be overcome."

But the Buddha added that they might or might not be successful because these kings of heaven are not yet free from passion, hatred and delusion. If they look up at the Buddha’s crest they could be successful because the Buddha is free from passion, hatred and delusion.

Hence the Lord instructed his disciples to remember the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha with all the glorious virtues. By doing so, any kind of fear, panic or tingly sensation of the flesh will disappear definitely because the Buddha unlike Sakka, is supremely Enlightened and is free from passion, hatred and delusion. He is also without fear, panic or fright and he does not flee (runaway).

This discourse is normally recited for protection against fear and horror. It is also recited for protection during a battle or in time of war.

Some physicians recite the virtues of the Triple Gem to empower the medicine to be potent and effective. Some criminal and political prisoners also recite this discourse as a way of obtaining their release.

This Paritta is based on the Sakka Story as found in Samyutta Nikaya Text.