..續本文上一頁來心靈的慰藉。有一回，一個小孩子受到邪靈的侵犯，佛陀吩咐弟子們誦念經文，保護孩子免受邪靈的侵犯。

　　The blessing service, by way of chanting, was effective. Of course, there were instances when the sutra chanting could not be effective if the victims had committed some strong bad kamma. Nevertheless, certain minor bad kammic effects can be overcome by the vibrant power combined with the great virtues and compassion of those holy people who chant these sutras. Here, the overcoming of a bad kammic effect does not mean the complete eradication of the effect, but only a temporary suspension of such an effect.

　　透過誦念來祝福非常有效。當然，在某些時候，惡業的力量太大時，誦經還是無效的。有些輕微的惡業，可以通過出家人誦經而加以克服，因爲出家人擁有大慈悲心和道德修持。誦經只能暫時壓製惡化，並不能消除惡業。

　　Devotees who were tired fatigued have experienced relief and calmness after listening to the chanting of sutras. Such an experience is different from that provided by music because music can create excitement in our mind and pander to our emotions but does not create spiritual devotion and confidence.

　　焦慮和疲勞的信徒，曾經透過誦經或聆聽，獲得甯靜和松懈。這種經驗和從音樂所獲得的不同，音樂會導致精神緊張。同時，音樂無法提供心靈的奉獻和信心。

　　For the last 2,500 years, Buddhist devotees have experienced the good effects of sutra chanting. We should try to understand how and why the words uttered by the Buddha for blessing purposes could be so effective even after His passing away. It is mentioned in the Buddha”s teaching that ever since he had the aspiration to become a Buddha during His previous births, He had strongly upheld one particular principle, namely, to abstain from ”telling lies”. Without abusing or misusing His words, He spoke gently without hurting the feelings of others. The power of Truth has become a source of strength in the words uttered by the Buddha with great compassion. However, the power of the Buddha”s word alone is not enough to secure blessing without the devotion and understanding of the devotees.

　　二千五百年來，佛教徒都體驗到透過誦經能獲得利益。我們必須嘗試去了解，爲何佛陀入滅了這麼久，誦念他所講述的佛法，仍然有這麼廣大的祝福功效。經典中曾經提到：佛陀在他的過去世，發願圓成佛道時，堅持不說妄語。佛陀不說妄語，他溫柔的語言、柔美的聲音，從來不造成傷害。佛陀以他那大慈悲心，所闡述的真理，成爲一種巨大的力量。然而，信徒必須了解，如果缺乏虔誠，單憑佛陀所闡述的真理，是不足以爲他們祝福的。

　　The miraculous effect experienced by many people in ridding themselves of their sickness and many other mental disturbances through the medium of the Buddhist sutras, enabled them to develop their faith and confidence in this form of religious service.

　　很多信徒的疾病或精神的障礙，透過誦念佛經所産生的奇異力量，而獲得痊愈。因此對佛教建立起更大的信心和信仰。

《誦經 The Significance of Paritta Chanting》全文閱讀結束。