What should you do before chanting parittas or khatas?
There has been many enquiries with regards to what should one do before chanting. I believe different Teachers may have their own practise, therefore one shouldn’t be too rigid with such customs.
In my personal opinion, it should be ideal that before we start every chanting sessions, one should always clean ourselves first. Like a Teacher that I have much admirations to Archan PraChuop of Pattalung, he always make it a practise to bathe himself before beginning any chantings. If we are in front of our Buddha’s altar, always lit a pair of candles and incense smoke. Generally 3 sticks of incense sticks, representing the Triple Gems or if ones parent have passed away, 5 sticks, representing Triple Gems, father and mother. Do ensure that candles and incense sticks remain lit throughout the session.
One should make an effort to calm his mind and regain mindfullness. Samadhi for a short while then recall Triple Gems to mind. Follow with our parent and Teachers ( which we call Krus ). Then begin your chantings.
My Teachers
It is important that we have our Teachers at heart. In my opinion, a Teacher can help to anchor our mindfullness and establish our faith. In this world of ours…chaotic it may seems at times, no matter how strong we are or how successful we are. When we reach deep into ourselves in our solitary, we will realise how small we can be. We must realise at times there’s something bigger than ourselves.
One of my most revered Teachers are my Master Rershi(s). I was introduce to adopt Rershi as my Teacher many years ago and I have never stop since.
It can be quite a miracle for those whom revers them faithfully.
One of the great Rershi(s) I have came across is Pothan Sompann Rershi of Tham Nai Dao of Nakorn. Don’t underestimate such a plain statue! This Teacher have many a times grant my and others wishes. He reside in a cave called Tham Nai Dao in Nakorn. I have once brought a friend to this cave. He is very sensitive to unusual paranormal energies, he couldn’t even get near Pothan Sompann’s altar until I asked of his permission to bring a friend to revere him.
Master Rershi(s) are Teachers, Gautama the Buddha’s Teachers are Rershi(s) too. One of the very first amulets found, Phra Rod, was made by Rershi Narod. It may sound ridiculous but some Rershi(s) aged over a thousand years of age!
Maybe at a later postings, I will share with our dear readers on the offering requisites and kathas with regards to revering Master Rershi(s).