The Jinapanjara (; , ''Chinabanchon''), sometimes known in English as "The Armor of the Conqueror", is a post-canonical Buddhist Paritta chant. It is the most popular

paritta Paritta (Pali), generally translated as "protection" or "safeguard," refers to the specific Buddhist verses and discourses recited in order to ward off misfortune or danger, as well as to the practice of reciting the verses and discourses. T ...

(protective text) in Thailand. It has existed since the end of the nineteenth century, from the time of the reign of

Rama II Phutthaloetla Naphalai (born Chim; 24 February 1767 or 1768 – 21 July 1824), also known by his regnal name Rama II, was the second King of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, ruling from 1809 to 1824. In 1809, Itsarasunthon succeeded his father R ...

. It is assumed that the Jinapanjara was authored by a

Lanna The Lan Na kingdom or the Kingdom of Lanna (, , "Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields"; , , ), also known as Lannathai, was an Indianized state centered in present-day Northern Thailand from the 13th to the 18th centuries. The cultural developme ...

Buddhist monk. Later, the monk

Somdej Toh Somdet To (1788–1872; Buddhist Era, B.E. 2331–2415), known formally as Somdet Phra Buddhacarya (To Brahmaramsi) (; ), was one of the most famous Buddhist monks during Thailand, Thailand's Rattanakosin period and continues to be the most widel ...

modified the incantation and made it more complete, by translating the content and curtailing some parts in the chant with unknown meaning. The text can also be found in Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Terminology

The meaning of ''Jinapanjara'' is 'the armor of the Buddha'. ''Jinapanjara'' is the combination of two words, ''Jina'' meaning 'the winner', which is the Buddha, and ''Panjara'' meaning 'cage'. Thus, ''Jinapanjara'' means 'the cage (which is strong as a piece of armor) that can protect from any dangers and enemies'.

History

Historians have found no evidence of the original author, nor where Jinapanjara was composed, but the text is mentioned in ancient Burmese scriptures. The scriptures state that Jinapanjara was written in

Chiang Mai Chiang Mai, sometimes written as Chiengmai or Chiangmai, is the largest city in northern Thailand, the capital of Chiang Mai province and the List of municipalities in Thailand#Largest cities by urban population, second largest city in Thailan ...

in the era of King Anawrahta Minsaw (1578–1607). Because of the popularity of

animistic Animism (from meaning 'breath, Soul, spirit, life') is the belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct Spirituality, spiritual essence. Animism perceives all things—animals, plants, Rock (geology), rocks, rivers, Weather, ...

rituals considered in violation of Buddhist principles, Anawrahta consulted with the monastic community and decreed to his citizens to chant the Jinapanjara text instead. Hence, Jinapanjara was authored by Thai monks in Chiang Mai and its chanting became widespread in Myanmar and Sri Lanka. There are two well-known adaptations of the Jinapanjara in Thailand. The first version was adapted by Somdej Toh at Wat Rakhangkhositraram Woramahavihan and was further revised by Pra Pattaramuni at Wat Thong Noppakun. Another version was adapted by Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana. Both version have the same meaning, but differ slightly in pronunciation and spelling. There also exists a Sinhalese text called the *Cūḷajinapañjara paritta*. Some Sinhalese scholars also use the title *Dasa disa piritha* while referring to the *Cūḷajinapañjara*. In total, there exist 3 recensions of the Jinapanjara Gatha.

References

External links

Full text of the Jinapanjara in Pali language, with Thai translation

Jinapanjara, rendered in Thai chanting style, with a music score

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jinapanjara Pali Buddhist texts Buddhist chants

Terminology

History

See also

References

External links