..续本文上一页来心灵的慰藉。有一回，一个小孩子受到邪灵的侵犯，佛陀吩咐弟子们诵念经文，保护孩子免受邪灵的侵犯。

　　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.

　　透过诵念来祝福非常有效。当然，在某些时候，恶业的力量太大时，诵经还是无效的。有些轻微的恶业，可以通过出家人诵经而加以克服，因为出家人拥有大慈悲心和道德修持。诵经只能暂时压制恶化，并不能消除恶业。

　　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.

　　焦虑和疲劳的信徒，曾经透过诵经或聆听，获得宁静和松懈。这种经验和从音乐所获得的不同，音乐会导致精神紧张。同时，音乐无法提供心灵的奉献和信心。

　　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.

　　二千五百年来，佛教徒都体验到透过诵经能获得利益。我们必须尝试去了解，为何佛陀入灭了这么久，诵念他所讲述的佛法，仍然有这么广大的祝福功效。经典中曾经提到：佛陀在他的过去世，发愿圆成佛道时，坚持不说妄语。佛陀不说妄语，他温柔的语言、柔美的声音，从来不造成伤害。佛陀以他那大慈悲心，所阐述的真理，成为一种巨大的力量。然而，信徒必须了解，如果缺乏虔诚，单凭佛陀所阐述的真理，是不足以为他们祝福的。

　　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碍，透过诵念佛经所产生的奇异力量，而获得痊愈。因此对佛教建立起更大的信心和信仰。

《诵经 The Significance of Paritta Chanting》全文阅读结束。