The curative power of Girimananda Sutta

By Premasara EPASINGHE

The discourse to Girimananda Thera called 'Girimananda Sutta' consists of 18 stanzas or verses in the Pirith Poth Vahanse, the Noble Book of Protection. It is extracted from Anguttara Nikaya. The other two that belongs to Anguttara Nikaya are Paccavekkhana and Dasadhamma Sutta in the Chaturbhanavarapali in the Great Book of Protection known in Sinhala as the Maha Pirith Potha .

It is not a separate book in the Pali Canon, but is an anthology of Suttaon etch culled out from the five Nakayama. In Paoli, it is known as Cato - Paraphernalia - or the text of the four recitals.

During the last four or five decades medical men engaged in research in medicine have found thet causes of diseases, organic and functional are directly caused by mental states. Sometimes people become ill because of mind. There are five Spirit Sutton in the Ruthie Bavarian Section. They are Mahakassapa Thera Bojjanga - Maha Moggallana Thera Bojjanga - Maha Chuda Thera Bojjanga - Girimananda Sutta and Isigili Sutta. The three Bojjanga Suttas are extracted from Samyutta Nikaya. Isigili from Majjima Nikaya and Girimananda - from Anguttara Nikaya.

Unseen power

The Buddhists believe that Girimananda Sutta has some unseen power in healing the sick. The Sutta was woven around a disciple of the Buddha - Arahath Venerable Girimananda. According to medical science I understand that music therapy helps patients, to cure some of their ailments. In the same way, listening or reciting Pirith is also a great protection. In fact, Girimananda Sutta, Bojjanga Suttas and Angulimala Sutta. (For expectant mothers before their delivery they believe listening to Angulimala Piritha, makes them an easy delivery) are some great Pirith Suttas for the ailing sick.

There is a belief that Buddha, Dhamma cures all ills, physically and mentally. Perhaps, the concentration on these Pirith Suttas would have been considered the cure. I firmly believe that reciting Pirith is a great protection, which I follow daily in the morning for more than three decades. I consider it as a great protection upto date.

When the Bhikkhu Girimananda was badly ill, Ven. Ananda informed the Blessed One about this Bhikkhu's sickness. The Buddha, if the Bhikkhu Girigirimananda listens to "Ten Kinds of Dasasanna", he will be cured soon. Ven. Ananda, studied them, in the presence of Buddha.

He (Ananda Thera) visited the sick Monk Girimananda and recited Girimananda Sutta, and the sick Bhikku was completely cured.

This Sutta proves the scientifically true aspect and impermanence of our lives, and the value of meditation to achieve the Deathlessness - bliss of Nirvana.

The discourse of Girimananda was first held at a time, the Buddha was sojourning in Savatti, at Jeta's Grove (Jetavanaramaya).

The Buddha advised Ven. Ananda to recite the Ten Perceptions (Ten Upasatikamatu) Quality of Understanding or Insight - ability to see the true nature of deep understanding. It teaches you the philosophy of the Buddha. Only the wise men will understand it.

Katama dasa covers perception of impermanence (Anniccasanna), perception of absence of soul i.e. self (Anattasanna), perception of impurity (Asubhasanna), perception of danger (adivasanna), the perception of destruction of passions (Pahanasanna), perception of dispassion (Viragasanna), the perception of cessation (Nirodhasanna), the perception of non-delight in the world (Sabbaloke anabhiratasanna), perception of impermanence (Aniccasanna), mindfulness of breathing in and out-breathing (Anapansati).

The Buddha explained to Ananda Thera the perception of impermanence. In Girimananda Sutta it states thus - Katamas (what) perception of impermanence (Aniccasanna). An indepth study of Girimananda Sutta clearly shows form, sensation, perception, mental concomitant, consciousness. They are all impermanent.

The Buddha goes further explaining - Katama Ananda "Annattasanna - Ananda which is perception of soul.

A bhikkhu in retreat, should realise that eye-form, ear-sound, nose-smelling, tongue-tastes, body-feelings, mind thoughts are devoid of soul. He should realise that these internal and external spheres, are reflective of their soullessness.

Further, the Buddha explained to Ananda Thera.that the entire body from head to toe is full of impurities.

The Blessed One also explained perception of danger (Asubhasanna and Adinavasanna).

The Buddha at length explains that the body is full of suffering and it has many dangers spasmodic afflictions, or pain, suffering and distress.

The Buddha explained in the Girimananda Sutta, his philosophy on the perception of danger, destruction, dispassion, cessation and non-delight in the world. He stressed the value of inhaling and exhaling - Anapanasati Bhavana - The Blessed One advised Ven. Ananda to explain the Ten Perceptions to Girimananda Thera.

After listening to these Ten Perceptions (Katama Dasa) Ven. Girimananda was fully cured.