Reciting the Sutra on Vulture's Peak Itself

On March 14, 2006, the Sanghata was recited on the very spot where in India where it was first uttered by the Buddha: at Vulture's Peak itself, in Raja-griha. A group of pilgrims and the translator of the Sanghata brought the words of the Buddha back to the very place from which they were first released on this earth on the Day of Miracles, which was also a full moon day on which a lunar eclipse will take place, making this event particularly potent. For more information on this and other Global Sanghata Recitation Days in 2006,click here

Guide to Reciting

Why Sutras are Recited

The Sanghāta Sūtra itself describes literally eons of reasons we should recite it. But sutras have been recited (or 'chanted') in most Buddhist communities throughout the entire history of Buddhism.

As one Theravada monk has explained, reciting almost meant the survival of the Dharma:

"In the olden days, before there were sufficient support materials for study like books, translations and computers we had to memorise to learn a discourse. After we had learnt it, we still had to chant regularly to protect it and hand it down to future generations. If we did not recite it daily we might forget it and omit some part of it. The Anguttara Nikaya says that if the discourses are poorly maintained this will lead to the disappearance of the Sasana (teachings of Buddhadharma). It was so important those days to memorise and chant it regularly. This must have definitely contributed in developing chanting practice. Chanting almost meant the survival of the Dhamma itself.

Now we have sufficient support materials, why we should then be still chanting? Is there any more reason to do this? There are some reasons sufficient to continue chanting practice. Regular chanting gives us confidence, joy and satisfaction, and increases devotion within us. This devotion is really a power. It is called the Power of Devotion (saddhabala). It energises our life in general. I do not know about the others. For me I often have a joyous feeling when the chanting goes right. I become more confident of myself. I see it as a part of developing devotion."

- Excerpted and reprinted here with permission from Bhikkhu Dhammasami. To read the entire article, click here.

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