paritta

In Buddhism, the chanting of 29 sutras of Pali scripture by monks. The paritta accompanies many Buddhist ceremonies, such as a marriage or naming ceremony, as a blessing and healing rite. The text emphasizes the showing of metta (loving kindness) to potential carriers of threat or danger. While the text is read, the monk may sit under a specially decorated canopy, holding a thread that will run over the ritual objects present. Part of the ceremony may then involve passing the thread to the participants.