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
In the Words of the Sanghāta:
Thus I have heard at one time. The Blessed One
was
dwelling in Raja-griha, on Vulture’s Peak, together with a great
assembly of 32,000 monks, including the venerable
Ajñáta-kaundínya, the venerable
Maha-maudgalyáyana, the venerable Shari-pútra...
- Ārya Sanghāta Sūtra
Website of the Arya Sanghata
Sutra
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."
