The tradition that was before Buddha, when mantras were used at this time as a way of appeasing the Gods.
Cultures have believed throughout history that words hold sacred powers and that by uttering certain words or names, especially those of Gods or spirits, they could control unforeseen forces. In ancient India it was thought that if you knew the true names of the Gods you could call upon them at anytime to help you or call them to do your bidding.
Buddhists are perhaps the ones we most commonly associate chanting with, early Buddhists used to chant religiously to the deity Buddhanusati. However mantras as we know them today didn’t come into practice in Buddhism until the rise of Mahayana, which then began incorporating elements of the non Buddhist approach to spirituality know as Tantra.
Tantra made use of mantras as a way of communicating with the Gods and influencing them. Buddhists then took this method and adapted it as a way of getting in touch and obtaining enlightenment.
Buddhist mantras and their meanings
Sabbe sattaa sukhi hontu
This mantra means “may all beings be well and happy “It is more of a chant than an actual mantra and the words should be free flowing.
Om shanti shanti shanti
This mantra basically means “peace to mind, body and spirit”
Gate gate paaragate paarasamgate bodhi svaahaa
This mantra means “gone beyond, utterly beyond, enlightenment hail”, it is a mantra that is taken from Mahayana scriptures which are known as “perfection of wisdom”, which were a form of worship in Mahayana Buddhism.
Om Taare Tuttaare Ture Svaahaa
This mantra gives praise to the goddess Tara whose name means star and who is the female Bodhisattva of compassion.
The definition of mantra meditation
The word mantra means “that which protects the mind”, in Buddhist meditation mantras are used as an object to focus the mind on, a mind protector. Mantras can have a particular historical meaning or figure in mind such as a God or they may have no association other than being affirmative.
For example there are mantras which are associated with the God’s or deities as above or just life affirming statements. Whichever mantra you choose it should have some meaning to you personally and be something you are comfortable with, the mantra should be repeated in time with your breath over and over.
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The history of mantra meditation
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