DHAJAGGA SUTTA

THE CREST OF THE BANNER

Broadcast by U Aung Than.

Vol. VIII, No. 2, 1961

       During the Buddha's lifetime too there were wars. There can be no Real Peace in the world, there can be no paradise on earth.

       We, however, know that Good begets Good and Evil begets Evil, and that Good can be performed by Thought, Word and Deed. Thoughts, even by the mere fact that they keep away evil, are good, but Good Thoughts will do more than that. They wilt surely lead to Good Words and Good Deeds; Good Thoughts are the essential basis of all that is Good.

       In the Teaching of the Buddha there are grouped certain Suttas, selected for the Good Thoughts, Words and Deeds they lead to. Of these Suttas, generally known as the Paritta Suttas, Discourses that give protection, the Dhajagga Sutta , the discourse on the Crest of Banner, is one which gives protection from the dangers of War. The martial banner is hoisted high and the followers are enjoined to look up at it. Look up at what? At that which floats above everything and forever at the crest,—the virtues of the Buddha, the Exalted One, the Utterly Awakened; the virtues of the Saddhamma, so well expounded by the Blessed One; and the virtues of the Order of Disciples of the Blessed One, the incomparable field of merit. And such 'looking up"—remembrance will give complete freedom from Fear. It is said that the recital of texts, the reading of holy writings, the listening to discourses and the like are of great merit, if done with true devotion, as they raise and fortify the courage of the follower in times of temptation, strengthen his confidence in himself and the doctrine, and promote through a developed mind, good activities which will lead in time to complete happiness.

DHAJAGGA SUTTA

       Glory unto Him, the Exalted Lord., the Holy One, the Utterly Awakened.

       Thus have I heard:— On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at the monastery of Anathapindika, in Jeta's Grove, near Savatthi. Then the Blessed One addressed the Bhikkhus, saying:

       "O Bhikkhus!"

       "Lord!" the Bhikkhus responded. The Blessed One spoke as follows:— Long ago, O Bhikkhus, a battle was raging between the Devas and Asuras. Then Sakka, the king of the Devas of the Tavatimsa (Heaven) said:

       "If comrades, when you have joined in Battle, in you should arise, fear, trembling or hair-standing -on-end, watch then, at such time, the crest of my banner. As you thus look up at the crest of my banner, any fear, trembling or hair-standing-on-end there be, would certainly disappear.

       If you cannot see the crest of my banner watch then, at such time, the crest of Pajapat Devaraja. As you thus look up at his crest, any fear, trembling or hair-standing-on-end there be, would certainly disappear.

       If you cannot see his crest, watch then, at such time, the crest of the banner of Varuna Devaraja. As you thus look up at his crest. any fear, trembling, or hair-standing-on-end there be would certainly disappear.

       If you cannot see his crest, watch then. at such time, the crest of the banner of Isana Devaraja. As you thus look at his crest, any fear, trembling, or hair-standing -on-end there be would certainly disappear.

       Now, O Bhikkhus, in them that watch the crest of the banner of Sakka, the king of the Devas, or of Pajapati Devaraja or of Varuna Devaraja, or of Isana Devaraja, any fear, trembling, or hair-standing-on-end there be, may or may not disappear. And why? Because, Sakka, the king of Devas, O Bhikkhus, is not free from lust, hatred, ignorance. is subject to fear, trembling, terror and running away.

       But I say thus unto you. O Bhikkhus:— If. O Bhikkhus, when you have gone into a forest, to the foot of tree, to a lonely abode, fear, trembling, or hair-standing-on-end should arise in you, do remember me at that time;— Such, indeed, is that Blessed One: Exalted, Omniscient, Endowed with knowledge and virtue, Auspicious, Knower of worlds, a guide incomparable for the training of individuals, Teacher of gods and men, Enlightened, and Holy.

       As you think of me, O Bhikkhus, any fear, trembling, or hair-standing-on-end there be would certainly disappear.

       If you cannot remember me, then remember the Dhamma:— Well-expounded is the Dhamma by the Blessed One; to be self-realised; with immediate fruit; to be but approached; to be seen; capable of being entered upon; to be attained by the wise, each for himself.

       As you think of the Dhamma, O Bhikkhus' any fear, trembling, or hair-standing-on-end there be, would certainly disappear.

       If you cannot remember the Dhamma, then remember the Sangha:— Of good conduct is the Order of the Disciples of the Blessed One, of upright conduct is the Order of the Disciples of the Blessed One, of wise conduct is the Order of the Disciples of the Blessed One, of dutiful conduct is the Order of the Disciples of the Blessed One. This Order of the Disciples of the Blessed One, namely, these four Pairs of Persons, the Eight Kinds of Individuals, is worthy of offerings, is worthy of hospitality, is worthy of reverential salutation, is an incomparable field of merit to the world.

       As you think of the Sangha, O Bhikkhus, any fear, trembling, or hair-standing-on-end there be, would certainly disappear.

       And why? Because. O Bhikkhus, the Tathagata is Exalted, Omniscient, free from lust, hatred, ignorance, is without fear, without trembling, without terror, and is not running away.

       This the Blessed One said. The Accomplished One having said so, the Blessed One furthermore spoke as follows:

       (1) When in a forest, or at the foot of tree or in a lonely abode, O Bhikkhus, recall to mind the Enlightened One. Fear to you there will never be.

       (2) If, you cannot think of the Buddha, the Chief of the world, the Leader of men, then recall to mind the Dhamma that leads to liberation and is well-taught.

       (3) If you cannot think of the Dhamma. that leads to liberation and is well-taught, then recall to mind the Sangha, the unrivalled field of merit.

       (4) As you thus think of the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha, O Bhikkhus, fear, or trembling, or hair-standing-on-end there will never be.

       In the words of the Venerable Kassapa Thera

May all beings be well and happy!