From the beginning of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in 2019 until now (2021) is nearly two years. There are over 150 million people infected with coronavirus and more than 3 million people have died from this disease. Now, the situation in Thailand is getting worse. There are more than 85,000 confirmed cases and over 400 people have died from the virus. The numbers above seem to be increasing by the minute. Because of this disease, many people are losing their lives, their beloved ones, and their jobs, etc. This is such great suffering for human beings which we haven’t seen for a long time.
Seeing this serious situation, the Thai Supreme Sangha Council made an announcement for all Buddhist temples in Thailand, and Thai temples around the world, to arrange for special chanting, focusing on the Ratana Sutta to help alleviate the suffering due to COVID-19 on 11th May 2021 at 5:00 pm. Furthermore, the Sangha Council also requested all temples to add the Ratana Sutta to their evening chanting and continue chanting this sutta until the situation is better.
Following this directive, IBC also arranged for a special “Chanting for world pandemic recovery” on the same date and time as the Thai Sangha Council requested. The Thai Sangharāja wrote a verse against Covid -19, which Bhante Anandajoti translated below:
Ratanattayānubhāvena sabbadevena tejasā
Through the power of the triple gem, and the strength of all devas,
uppanno kovido rogo siyamaraṭṭhe vinassatu.
may the kovida disease that has arisen in Thailand be destroyed.
Rājapuññānubhāvena dasapāramitāhi ca,
Through the power of the King’s merit, and (his practice of the) ten perfections,
ārogya sukhaṁ ceva sadā sotthī bhavantu te.
may you always have safety, happiness and health.
However, for the safety of our community, we arranged the chanting hall following the recommendations of the Ministry of Public Health by including social distancing, preparing alcohol gel for hand cleaning, and arranging for everybody to wear a mask.
Before we starting chanting, we did simple sitting meditation quietly by ourselves. At 5:00 pm we began the chanting in Pali, focusing on Ratana Sutta. Ven. Anandajoti gave some information on the COVID-19 situation, suggesting that everybody be aware of this disease. He furthermore talked about the background of the Ratana Sutta, and the benefit of chanting the sutta. After that, Ven. Zhen Chan led the chanting and transferring of merits in Chinese. In this chanting we all together put full concentration on transferring all merits to the people who are suffering in this serious situation. Wishing all the deceased will go to a better place, wishing all COVID-19 patients get recovery soon, and wishing all people to have lots of strength in this difficult time. In addition, we will keep chanting the Ratana Sutta every evening until the situation is changed.
The following is the background story of the Ratana Sutta. In the Buddha’s time, the people in Vesāli suffered from the threefold calamities of famine, evil spirits, and disease. Such calamities the citizens of Vesāli hadn’t seen before. People tried to find the solution in whatever way they could. Firstly, they started complaining about the king and suggested it might be because of the king’s unrighteousness that all these evil things happened. But after investigation, they could not find any fault in the king. Some suggested bringing in one of the six heretical teachers to dispel the dangers. Finally, they approached the Buddha and told him about the dangers they were facing. Hearing of the problems, the Buddha and his disciples came to Vesāli. After arriving in the city, the Buddha told Ven. Ananda to learn and recite the Ratana Sutta. Ven. Ananda recited the Sutta as a protection, going around the city and sprinkling water as he went. All the calamities and diseases eventually disappeared. The Buddha, sat on a throne in the middle of the meeting hall, recited the Ratana Sutta once more. At the conclusion of the recitation there was well-being for the royal family, all calamities disappeared and eighty-four thousand living beings comprehended the supramundane Dhamma. This was repeated for seven days, with a similar number of people attaining each day.
In conclusion, we did the chanting for establishing strength of mind. When we have enough power of mind, we will be able to get through this tough situation. However, the best way to prevent this disease depends on the individual’s responsibility for oneself and society. I would like to take this opportunity to suggest to the readers to make the mind strong by sitting in meditation and keep the body strong by exercising every day. This is a good time to make a contribution to the safety of the country and the world by staying safe at home and taking care of one’s health.
Reported by Ven. Saksith Sounthorn
Edited by Bhante Anandajoti
