Many wonder how to make their Buddhist chanting truly impactful. A well-known story illustrates this point perfectly:
The Story of the Old Woman and Her Buddhist Chant
A monk, during his travels, noticed a radiant light emanating from a humble hut. Thinking that a great practitioner resided there, he went to pay his respects. Instead, he found an old woman, reciting the mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” while using her prayer beads. However, she mispronounced it as “Om Mani Padme Moo.” Out of compassion, the monk corrected her, saying, “Old woman, you’re mistaken. It’s ‘Om Mani Padme Hum (hong),’ not ‘Om Mani Padme Moo.'” The old woman was thankful and began to chant the mantra correctly.
As the monk walked away, he looked back and noticed the light from the hut had disappeared. He realized the woman’s doubt and sense of division had caused this, so he quickly went back. He apologized, saying, “I was wrong. ‘Om Mani Padme Moo’ is correct for you. You’ve been chanting it so long, just continue that way.” The old woman’s worries and remorse vanished instantly, and she smiled, saying, “Monk, you’re such a jokester!” As she chanted the way she had been, the light returned to the hut.
The Importance of Sincere Faith in Buddhist Chanting
This story teaches us that to have truly powerful Buddhist chanting, one must have faith and sincerity. Our connection with the Buddha is not just about reciting words; it’s about having a heartfelt, genuine intention. Only by chanting with this profound sincerity can we truly connect with the Buddha. This highlights that the power of Buddhist chanting is derived from the state of mind.
Here are some key points to further enhance your practice:
The Three Superior Principles of Practice
First, regardless of the practice, we must have three superior principles:
- Superior Preliminary Motivation: Begin with the motivation of Bodhicitta.
- Superior Concluding Dedication: Dedicate the merit properly.
- Superior Main Practice: Practice with non-attachment, wisdom, and the understanding of emptiness.
Our motivation and dedication should follow proper rituals.
Mindfulness and Contemplation
Second, when reciting mantras, sutras, or rituals, chant from your heart and contemplate the meaning. Many chant casually, just reciting words without thinking about their meaning or visualizing. This is ineffective. Focus your entire attention on the content of the ritual, from beginning to end. This is also a form of meditation. If your words don’t align with your thoughts, there is no power. If they do, you can achieve your goals. When we chant and practice from the heart, it becomes a joy, and this is essential for effective practice.
Quality Over Quantity
Third, don’t only pursue quantity, focus on quality. It’s better to chant for shorter periods with sincerity, especially at the beginning. If your mind is too chaotic, stop and do something else such as prostrations, walking meditation, or chores, rather than continue with a distracted mind. Many are chanting mantras while thinking about daily concerns, and even reciting hundreds of thousands of mantras this way will have no benefit. We must be strict with ourselves, ensuring each chant has merit, without pursuing speed or quantity.
Harmonizing Body, Speech, and Mind
Fourth, when chanting, relax your body, speech, and mind. Your body should be relaxed, sitting comfortably. Your voice should be natural, neither too loud nor too soft. Your mind should be relaxed as well and should visualize. If visualizations are unclear, don’t be stressed or too relaxed. This harmonious balance between body, speech, and mind allows you to connect with the Buddhas during Buddhist chanting.
Integrating Practice into Daily Life
Fifth, integrate practice into daily life. Many Buddhist practitioners are unbalanced, becoming confused and lazy, preferring to sit and chant without physical activity. Such a practice causes illness. We need both stillness and movement, because without both, the body will suffer. Therefore, be wise in your Buddhist practice.
Importance of Foundational Practices
Sixth, establish a foundation through practices like the four outer and five inner preliminary practices. Without renunciation, Bodhicitta, or understanding emptiness, your Buddhist chanting cannot eliminate suffering or liberate you from the cycle of rebirth. With the correct understanding, you can overcome ignorance and avoid creating bad karma, which will eventually lead to the end of suffering.
The Power of Mindful Connection
As the Great Strength Bodhisattva’s Chapter on Perfect Enlightenment Through Mindfulness of the Buddha states, “It is like two people: one who is always thinking of the other, and one who has completely forgotten the other. If these two people meet, they will not recognize each other. However, if these two people are always thinking of each other, they will never be separated, like a shadow to a form, even from life to life. The Buddhas, out of compassion, are always thinking of beings, like a mother thinking of her lost child. But what does it matter if the child has forgotten his mother? However, if the child thinks of his mother, then the mother and child are close in every life and not far apart. If all sentient beings think of the Buddhas and chant the Buddhas’ names, then they are sure to see the Buddha, now or in the future. They will not be far from the Buddha. They don’t need to employ any method, and their hearts will be opened.”
The Buddhas are always compassionate, thinking of us like a mother who thinks of her lost child. We should also think of the Buddhas with deep faith and sincerity, so that we can connect with their mind. Then the connection between us and the Buddhas will naturally become a miracle.
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