Buddhist Mantra for Inner Peace
What is a mantra and are there more than one kind? If so, how does one go about chanting them? What kinds of benefit can they bring to us? In this teaching, Khenpo encourages you to develop inner peace through the chanting of mantra as a way of meditation.
While it is difficult for us to suspend all thoughts, it is not difficult for experienced practitioners. If you are not able to do this, then just sit straight and recite a mantra. This also can help us to achieve inner peace. For example, Manjushri is the embodiment of wisdom and his mantra is Om Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhih. Avalokiteshvara is the embodiment of compassion, and his mantra is Om Mani Padme Hung. You can recite these mantras, which naturally relieve suffering in your heart. In Tibet, there are many people who have recited Mani mantras hundreds of millions of times. Many people in the Han regions, including many scholars from various universities, often recite the Mani mantra, the Vajrasattva mantra and others.
Reciting mantras truly has blessing power; it is just like the potency of medicine, which is intimately understood by doctors but not by the average lay person. There are many Buddhist texts explaining the power of mantra and the relative merits of reciting them. Unfortunately, we don’t have time to quote them. Like taking medicine, it can heal your sickness. Reciting mantras can ease your suffering. I suggest we do some Mani mantras together later. It is good if you can concentrate on reciting, but even if you can’t, there are still many benefits.
It’s better to have a formal transmission before reciting. I will give you the transmission first. Then we can recite the mantra together.
First is the mantra of Guru Padmasambhava: Om Ah Hung Benza Guru Pema Siddhi Hung.
Next is the mantra of Shakyamuni Buddha: Om Muni Muni Maha Muniye Svaha.
Next is the Manjushri’s mantra for increasing wisdom: Om Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhih.
Next is the mantra of Vajrasattva for purifying obscurations: Om Benza Satto Hung.
Next is the mantra of Avalokiteshvara for increasing good fortune and merit for this and the next life: Om Mani Padme Hung, or Om Mani Padme Hung Hrih. You can recite in these two ways.
Okay, let’s do some Mani mantras together. Later you can keep reciting mantras whenever you have the time. You’ll find it will bring success in your ventures, help ease your mind and heal your sicknesses. Just as doctors accept that dietary supplements can benefit the physical body, secret mantras also have their universal benefits and power. Practicing the mantras, and furthermore, engaging in virtuous activities can bring you inner peace and true happiness.
