Blessings

[Kendra Jory]

I listen to various Buddhist podcasts and in one I learned about blessing cords or threads. I hadn't heard about them before. Do the monks here offer such services? I am just curious. I realize that the cord or thread wouldn't really do much but it would serve as a valuable reminder to wear. I would love one.

Please let me know,

Thanks

Kendra

[Ajahn Brahmali]

Dear Kendra,

Yes, there are such things as "blessing cords". This is mostly a Sri Lankan tradition, known as "pirit strings". Pirit is the Sri Lankan word for paritta, "protection", which is also the same word used for the chanting that Buddhist monks often do. So the blessing strings are protection strings that usually have been blessed by monks (or nuns) chanting over them.

I would say you are quite right that the main value of such thread is as a reminder of the principles we are supposed to practice. In this sense they serve a similar purpose to Buddha statues, with the added advantage that you can carry them with you wherever you are.

And yes, sometimes we do give out pirit strings at Bodhinyana Monastery. Perhaps you can find a local monastery (preferably a Sri Lankan one) where you might be able to get such string. It doesn't really matter where you get it from as long as it fulfills its symbolic value.

With metta.