Special Topics
Dharani Recitation Practice: Learning the Spiritual Codes of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
Reciting the dharani, along with reciting the Buddha's name, is a most commonly seen Buddhist practice method for beginners. So, where did Buddhist dharanis originate? What is the significance of some of the most popular dharanis, such as the Medicine Buddha Dharani, the Pure Land Rebirth Dharani, and the Great Compassion Dharani? Actually, the contents of dharanis reflect the epithets, fundamental vows, and meritorious virtues of related Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Reciting the dharani hel...
Understanding the Structure of Dharanis
Basic Format and Key Words According to Tony Kuang-Ming Lin, a dharani scholar who wrote "Get to Know Dharanis" and the digital newsletter All about Dharanis, the content of a dharani is usually related to the original vows of a Buddha or Bodhisattva. A dharani is normally prefaced with words of reverence and homage, and ends with prayers and well-wishes. Dharanis can be roughly classified into three categories, depending on the meanings they evoke: Dharanis whos...
How to Choose Which Mantra to Recite?
Different mantras have different merits and virtues. Buddhist beginners can choose those mantras for which they have affinity to recite. For instance, many Pure Land Buddhism practitioners recite the Rebirth in the Pure Land Mantra; practitioners of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara's methods usually recite Great Compassion Mantra and the Six-syllable Brilliant Mantra; those who practice the methods of the Medicine Buddha recite the Medicine Buddha Mantra; and practitioners of Bodhisattva Ksitig...
The Methods of Reciting Mantras
When beginning to learn how to chant mantras, it's not hard at all learn to recite them provided we start by learning their structure, rules, and some keywords. Mantras, also known as sacred utterances, secret incantations, true words, or Dharanis, are referred to as secret words with special indescribable supernatural powers. Why are mantras also called Dharanis? It is because the form of Dharanis is similar to that of mantras. Hence, the later generations have mixed Dharanis and...
Q&A about Mantra Recitation: Q1: What is the difference between chanting the Buddha’s name and reciting the mantra?
Mantra recitation is one of the methods of Buddhist practices. Also known as the "secret words", mantras are often shrouded in mystery, and are therefore easily misunderstood. Former Abbot of New York Chan Meditation Center and Dharma Drum Retreat Center, Venerable Guo Xing, will clarify some common queries and doubts that we may hold about mantra recitation, and guide us towards reciting mantras using the right mindset. Venerable Guo Xing Q1: What is the difference between ch...
Q&A about Mantra Recitation: Q2: Will mispronunciation of the mantras impact its meritorious effect?
A2: Mispronunciations when reciting the mantra will not affect its merits, as sincerity and faith in mantra recitation are more important than accuracy in pronunciation. Mantras were originally recited in Sanskrit, but with the spread of Buddhism across different regions, transliterated versions in Tibetan and Chinese appeared. Still, this neither changes the meaning nor affects the merits stemming the mantra itself. There are some folk stories about mispronunciation when reciting the mant...
Q&A about Mantra Recitation: Q3: Is the chanting of a mantra effective only when we know its meaning?
A3: No. When reciting a mantra, what matters the most is our state of mind. In his book "Master Sheng Yen on Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara's Methods", Master Sheng Yen took the Great Compassion Mantra as an example, pointing out that the mantra itself contains the merits, vows and blessings of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. Mantra recitation is a practice method based on the "spiritual responses generated from the sounds"; therefore, the mantras are recited in their orig...
Q&A about Mantra Recitation: Q4: How can reciting mantras eliminate karmic obstacles and prevent disasters?
A4: Some people believe that reciting mantras to eliminate disasters is contrary to Buddhist concept of cause and effect. In fact, when we recite the mantra, we keep our minds pure and focused, which has the same effect as keeping the precepts to reduce the chances of committing wrongdoings, developing our wholesome roots, and transforming our minds. If we persevere and treat each mantra recitation as a sincere evocation and devotional prayer, the combined effects of both the mantra and our f...
Q&A about Mantra Recitation: Q5: Can a wish be fulfilled by reciting a mantra?
A5: Reciting mantras can make people's wishes come true, but this is not the initial intention of reciting mantras for Buddhists. When practicing generosity, we must have the right mindset that the "three aspects of giving are empty": there is no giver, no receiver, and nothing that is given or received. Practicing generosity in this way is a giving without the expectation of any returns. The same also applies to mantra recitation. Reciting mantras is a means to help us attain a...