THE BUDDHIST PATH TO OVERCOMING OBSTACLES: A CASE STUDY OF THE BUDDHAJAYAMAṄGALA GĀTHĀ (THE PHAHUNG CHANT)

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to analyze the path to overcoming obstacles according to Buddhist principles through a study of the Buddhajayamaṅgala Gāthā (the Phahung chant), a set of verses compiling the Buddha's eight auspicious victories. The study found that each victory was achieved not through force, but by overcoming challenges with virtues specific to each situation. The analysis revealed that the Buddha employed eight key principles as a path to confront different symbolic obstacles: 1) Perfections (Pāramī) to overcome life's adversities (Māra), 2) Patience (Khanti) to overcome a cruel being (Yakkha), 3) Loving - kindness (Mettā) to subdue physical violence (Elephant), 4) Wisdom (Paññā) to overcome a misguided person (Bandit), 5) Concentration (Samādhi) to overcome slander (Woman), 6) Liberating Wisdom (Vimutti - ñāṇa) to overcome one attached to his own views (Ascetic), 7) Faith accompanied by wisdom (Saddhā) to overcome one infatuated with psychic powers (Nāga), and 8) Right View (Sammā - diṭṭhi) to overcome one with wrong views (Brahmā). These approaches demonstrated that true victory over obstacles begins with cultivating internal virtues, transforming problems into wisdom, and leading to sustainable personal development in accordance with Buddhist principles.