Back in the Buddha’s time, when the Venerable Mahākassapa was suffering from a severe illness caused by fever, the Buddha visited him in a cave and recited the Bojjhaṅga Paritta (Discourse on the Factors of Enlightenment). As a result, Mahākassapa recovered from his illness.
On another occasion, when the Venerable Moggallāna was seriously ill, the Buddha went to visit him at Gijjhakūṭa Mountain and again recited the Bojjhaṅga Paritta, which led to Moggallāna’s recovery as well.
Because of these events, later generations of Buddhists came to believe that “chanting can aid in healing from illness.” It is not just the meaning of the chant that brings peace and recovery to body and mind, but also the vibrational energy generated by chanting itself.
Dr. Richard Gerber, a specialist in sound therapy, once explained that while some illnesses disrupt the normal functioning of certain organs, those organs may begin to heal themselves if they are exposed to consistent and sustained vibrational frequencies from chanting. The steady rhythm and sound can stimulate those areas, encouraging self-repair and overall healing.
