Katha

Katha  is a Thai Language terminology that has become internationalized with the spread of Thai Buddhism around the world, and whose semantic origins derive from the Sanskrit/Devanaghiri ‘Ghata Poojah’. 

A Katha is in principle an Incantation, Prayer or Dharmma Sermon, or can also be Sorcerers in Nature (Black Magic). 

Katha  are used to worship The Triple Gem, certain manifestations of Buddhas and Deities, or invoke the powers within amulets, Pay reverence to Guru Monks or even ‘Sing Sathit’ inanimate objects believed to have spirits dwelling within them.

Applied Uses of Katha Chanting

Katha Chanting, is in principle the same as prayer chanting in Buddhism, with the difference that a Kahta has a specific meaning if meant as Dhamma Practice, or if used as a Magical Incantation, will have a specific goal or target. Katha Chanting is often highly misunderstood by those who are fervent about the practice, but it is said that the Lord Buddha himself recommended Chanting Sutras (Dhamma Formulas) as a Mindfulness Practice to reinforce one’s resolve and increase rapture in understanding the mantras and prayers which were used. 

There are Buddhist Katha, Khmer Katha, Animist and Black Magic Katha, all of which should be looked at in their own context and seen in a different light. Almost all Thai Buddhist Amulets have a Katha for chanting to empower and call upon its blessings, and this has led to a plethora of Katha Chants which can be found for specific amulets or specific aims. If one were to list all the Katha in existence in Thailand, one would probably need to write 5 books the size of the Holy Bible and still not complete the work. So many are the Katha from the hundreds of Magical Lineages which have passed throughout the ages.

Katha Chanting is one of the five ways which  said can lead to the cause for enlightenment, and also helps to develop Samadhi meditation and Magical Psychic power.