Mantra meditation
Introduction to and History of Mantra Meditation
Mantras are words or phrases that are chanted out loud or internally as objects of meditation. Often these mantras are associated with particular Buddhist figures, whose qualities can be cultivated by the repetition of the relevant mantra.
Mantra meditation predates Buddhism, probably by hundreds of years. The origins of mantras go back at least to the Vedic tradition that preceded the Buddha, where mantras were used as incantations to influence, or even to control, the gods.
In this section of our site, you can explore how we define mantra meditation, learn how mantra meditation works, and read about the various figures that mantras are associated with and what their mantras mean.
Throughout history, cultures have believed in the sacred power of words, and have believed that uttering certain words or names could control the external world, or control the unseen forces, like gods or spirits, that they believed acted upon the world. We can see that in the English word “spell”, which can mean simply to put letters together to make words, or to use words in order to control the world.
Throughout history, cultures have believed in the sacred power of words…
The words grammar and glamour have the same original meanings. Gramma-techne was the Greek term for the science or art of letters. This came into English as the word grammar, but also came in Scots (as “glammer”) to mean “to cast a spell upon”. The word glammer was anglicized as glamour, and came to have its more contemporary romantic and aesthetic associations. So the English language contains fossilized notions that words can have magical powers.
This was particularly so for the words that we call “names”. In ancient India it was believed that if you knew the true names of the gods, then you could call upon them and compel them to do your bidding. If this sounds primitive, then imagine how you would feel if you discovered that someone had written your name of a piece of paper, put it in the toilet bowl before using the bathroom, and then flushed your name away. Most of us still, it seems, have a lingering belief in the special nature of names.
Although early Buddhism used chanting as a means of practice, and used the recitation of verses as a way of cultivating an awareness of the qualities of the Buddha (Buddhanusati), the use of mantras doesn’t seem to have come into Buddhism until the rise of the Mahayana traditions, which incorporated elements of the non-Buddhist approach to spirituality known as “Tantra.”
Tantra made extensive use of mantras as ways of communing with and influencing the gods, and Buddhism co-opted this methodology as a way of getting in touch with the qualities of enlightenment. The Mahayana had already developed a “pantheon” of symbolical figures in human form to represent the diversity of the enlightened state. Given the close contact with the Tantric traditions, it was natural that these archetypal Buddhas and Bodhisattvas came to be associated with particular syllables and mantras.
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Comments
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: September 13, 2007, 12:59 pm
Hi Alice,
I’m not aware of any CDs with that chant on them, although Sunada and I have been talking about doing a mantra CD. She’s a trained singer so at least some of it (i.e. the bits she does) should be worth listening to!
Take care,
Bodhipaksa
Comment from alice chesler
Time: September 13, 2007, 12:46 pm
is the pali chant “sabbe saata sohki hunto”
available on any cd’s
thanks
Comment from Kay
Time: May 24, 2008, 1:17 pm
In chanting names of bodhisatta, using rosary for mediation, do we have to recite the transferrance of merits at the end of the session.
I understand any humble/noble buddhist act be transferred for better catalyst results. Kindly advice.
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: May 24, 2008, 8:09 pm
Hi Kay,
There aren’t many “have to’s” in Buddhism — it’s really up to us what which practices we want to undertake. But I’d wholeheartedly encourage anyone to consider transferring the merit not just of mantra practice but of any formal practice whatsoever.
For those not in the know, transferring or dedicating merit means that at the end of the practice you reflect that you’re not doing this as a selfish act purely to benefit yourself, but you’re hoping that whatever benefits you’ve gained as a result of the practice (any wisdom, compassion, or peace that you’ve found) will help others as well.
I sometimes end a period of meditation by reciting the following verses from Shantideva:
May the merit gained
In my acting thus
Go to the alleviation
of the suffering of all beings.
My personality throughout my existences,
My possessions,
And my merit in all three ways, [body, speech, and mind]
I give up without regard to myself
For the benefit of all beings.
Just as the earth and other elements
Are serviceable in many ways
To the infinite number of beings
Inhabiting limitless space;
So may I become
That which maintains all beings
Situated throughout space,
So long as all have not attained
To peace.
Comment from Alex
Time: June 1, 2008, 7:27 am
Thats an excellent few verses from Shantideva i must say!
May i ask which particular script/book/etc it came from so i can look at the full text/extrapolation?
Alex.
(as a little ps, ive found this site just today and it looks extremely helpful and sincerely so at that. )
…thank you…
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: June 1, 2008, 7:38 am
Hi Alex,
The verses are from (wait for it) the Bodhisattvacaryavatara, also known as the Bodhicaryavatara, which translates as “The Guide to the Bodisattva’s Way of Life.” There are good translations by Stephen Batchelor, Kate Crosby & Andrew Skilton, and the Padmakara Translation Group. There’s also a version online.
The lines quoted above are verses 6, 10, 20, and 21 from a much more extended transference of merits in Chapter III. The whole of chapters II and III of the Bodhicaryavatara constitute a devotional ritual called the sevenfold puja.
Comment from Jayarava
Time: October 31, 2008, 9:54 am
Hi Bodhipaksa. Finally got around to reading your update of this page. It reads much better than before! I particularly like the grammar/glamour link! The two words are seldom used together in a sentence, if ever. Good work as always. Love Jayarava.
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: October 31, 2008, 1:39 pm
Thanks for your kind comments, Jayarava. Did you take a look at the page on How Mantra Meditation Works? I took account of some of the shortcomings you pointed out in an email and made substantial changes. I’d be interested in your thoughts.
Comment from Jordana
Time: February 12, 2009, 11:28 am
Dear Bodhipaksa
TXS for the explanation on the mantra OM AMOGHA VAIROCANA MAHA-MUDRA MANI PADMA SUBHRA PRAVARTAYA HUM
I got this mantra in from my Korean teacher and maybe the pronunciation was in korean where k some times is g.
Now is more easy.
In the Dharma,
Jordana
Comment from gianna
Time: March 10, 2009, 8:46 pm
whats a good short mantra i can use for school and whats the meaning of it?
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: March 11, 2009, 12:13 pm
Hi Gianna,
I’m afraid that’s too general a question for me to answer. Feel free to be more specific about what your needs are.
Comment from Mandy
Time: May 8, 2009, 2:06 pm
Hi Bodhipaksa
Have just come back from a Tara retreat and was interested to see that the ‘tune’ of the Tara mantra on the retreat was different to the one you chant here. Is it common that the mantras are chanted to different tunes? A friend has also told me that on a retreat she went to, the Tara mantra was sung in harmony.
Best wishes
Mandy
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: May 8, 2009, 2:14 pm
Hi Mandy,
Yes, there are lots of different tunes that one mantra can be chanted to. The way that the Avalokiteshvara mantra, for example, was chanted in the FWBO changed because with the “old” way it tended to lack energy and turn into a dirge. We now use a tune that (as far as I know) has a Tibetan origin — at least I heard it being used in the soundtrack of a Tibetan movie. I’ve heard a few different versions of tunes for the Tara mantra, and I wish I could hear the one you were doing. Can you hum it for me? Seriously, if you phone our Skype number you can leave a message with the mantra on it. The number’s +1-603-292-3960. I’d love to hear from you!
Comment from Mandy
Time: May 8, 2009, 2:40 pm
Ok! I’ll give it a go!
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: May 8, 2009, 3:09 pm
Awesome! I’m looking forward to checking the voicemail instead of loathing the task, as I usually do.
Comment from chery
Time: September 21, 2009, 1:19 pm
Hi, can you recommend a mantra for “language” study, I can recall what I see(through concentration exercises for a l 1/2 or so, it worked). However, what I hear is another problem. Any exercieses you heard of for that? I love languages and music. With music its the same issue, you have to know what you hear(chords, scales) and repeat it. Than\k you. chery
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: September 21, 2009, 2:21 pm
Hi Chery,
Traditionally, the Manjusri mantra (om arapacanadhih) is said to help with learning and memorization generally, but whether it actually does this is something I don’t know. Good luck!
Comment from Derek Gale
Time: November 2, 2009, 1:37 pm
I found that when doing a Chant or Mantra in a low vocal, so that there is a deep vibration of the bass tone of the vocal chords…..
I Say the Vowels of the Alphabet….AAAAAA, EEEEEE, IIIIIII, OOOOOO, UUUUUU, YYYYYYYYYY….. then for the ending I chant ZEEEEEEEE and ZEEEEEDDDD (for the left and right side of the brain… I think!!!!!)
anyways.. I came up with this because of the 7 Chakras and how to awaken them.
please try and see what you think.. I have found strange sensations as I Chant..
Comment from Sandhya
Time: January 11, 2010, 4:29 am
Hi,
I just got to know about the Usnisa Vijaya Dharani Mantra. I somehow feel attracted to it and want to chant it. The information given about the mantra states that a proper method has to be followed in order to chant the mantra. I.e., one has to created a square mandala, place flowers and variety of grass on it, burn incense sticks and then recite the mantra. I would like to know is it important to do the above in order to learn and recite the mantra?
Can we not just chant it? Pls help.
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: January 12, 2010, 6:21 pm
Hi Sandhya,
I’m quite sure that chanting the mantra without the creation of a mandala and the making of offerings will have a beneficial effect. At the same time, physical and mental, as well as verbal, engagement will deepen the effect of the practice, assuming that the physical acts of mandala-creation and the making of offerings are done mindfully and with reverence, so any aspect of that that you can bring into your practice will be beneficial.
Where possible, I’d suggest doing the mantra in front of an image of Ushnisha Vijaya, bowing, making offerings and lighting incense. There needs to be as much as possible an attitude of gratitude and of openness to the deity.
All the best,
Bodhipaksa
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