As we all know, the Buddha’s teaching is classified into Three Baskets (Tripitaka): Vinaya (monastic code), Suttanta (doctrinal teaching) and Abhidhamma (higher teaching). By the very name Abhidhamma, it shows that it was held in high esteem and honoured as the higher teaching and more profound than the other two.
Abhidhamma has seven books: Dhammasanganī, Vibhanga, Dhatu Katha, Katha Vatthu, Puggala Pannatti, Yamaka and 
Patthana. Among them, the Patthana, consisting of five voluminous sections which all together have 2,640 pages in the Burmese edition, is regarded as the deepest and broadest.
The Patthana is the most popular Paritta (protective text) in Myanmar. In Burmese Buddhism, the scripture is ritually recited by monks and laypeople for protection, and Burmese Buddhists believe this Paritta can guard against threats and dangers, please helpful gods, and ward off evil spirits.
Spiritual rays
According to Theravada Buddhist sources, the Buddha’s body and mind were so purified when he pondered on the Book of Relations – Patthana, the seventh treatise of the Abhidhamma, that six coloured rays emitted from his body.
As per the Theravada teachings, the essence of the Abhidhamma was formulated by the Buddha during the fourth week after his Enlightenment. The fourth week, the Buddha spent in a Jewelled Chamber (Rathana – ghara) contemplating the intricacies of the Abhidhamma. Buddha’s body and mind were so purified when he pondered on the Book of Relations, Patthana the seventh treatise of the Abhidhamma, which six coloured rays emitted from his body.
Reciting and listening to the Patthana is very important; it makes our minds calm, peaceful and serene. Patthana chanting also protects us all around, warding off dangers, calamities and disasters and bringing in success, prosperity, good health, peace and harmony.
Chanting and listening to the Patthana also helps us to repeat our reflections on them, preventing our minds from unwholesome and evil tendencies related to greed, hatred and delusion. Chanting Patthana guides us to reflect on the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha and thus gain a true understanding of the path to Peace and Happiness.
Most profound book
Ven Deniyaye Upasama Thera who studied the Abhidhamma with specialisation in the Patthanappakarana, the seventh and most profound book in the basket of Abhidhamma and had taught Abhidhamma in Burmese language in Myanmar and also in Sinhala at several Sri Lankan monastic education institutes said that it is beneficial for every Buddhist to recite daily at least a few verses from the Patthana Vandanā, recalling the sublime qualities of the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha.
“Listening to Patthana can even bring the animal to Nibbana.” Referring to the story about the hanging bats in a cave where a monk was meditating and reciting the Patthana, Venerable Thera said that 500 wild bats were living in a certain dark cave during Kassapa Sammasambuddha time. Two Theras, having lived in the cave too, recite Abhidhamma scriptures, question each other, and discuss about Abhidhamma.
These bats, though not knowing the human language, caught the voice of recitation and listened to it. Every day the two Theras recite Abhidhamma, these bats stop all their activities and listen to the voice attentively and grow fond of it. Eventually, these 500 bats died. Immediately they were reborn as 500 mighty Devas. These 500 glorious Devas, when they investigate their cause of rebirth, find out that it was the Abhidhamma recitation that caused this Heavenly rebirth. It was due to their acquired interest and faith in that Abhidhamma voice, that instill peace and merits in their minds.
Divine bliss
There in heaven, these 500 Devas make an aspiration that in their coming lives, they shall fulfil the Paramitas and become the Receivers and Masters of Abhidhamma teachings taught by Lord Buddha. Eventually, after many lives, they were reborn as 500 disciples of Arahant Sariputta Thera. Having learned Abhidhamma from Arahant Sariputta Thera, these 500 disciples attained Arahantship and since then preserved the Abhidhamma teachings.
“If we can recite the Patthana, we can concentrate on all things. Normally, we are thinking about this or that. And we are quite occupied with our workload, job-related things, and emotions, but when we recite the Patthana we can focus on the nature of the Dhamma, the conditions, and if we do good deeds we will get good returns or things like that. And also, we feel secure, during the recitation and after the recitation.” He said.
In particular, the Patthana, the last and most complex volume of the Abhidhamma, is envisioned as a keystone in the long-term preservation of the Buddha’s teachings, which are also understood to inevitably disappear.
Ishara Mudugamuwa