August 18, 2006
Chanting Other Mantras
Ki to Revitalization
The threefold practice of Mantra Chanting {shodai}, Mandala/Icon Contemplation, and Mudra/Asana {ritual hand gesture/sitting posture} is not at all unique to Nichiren. The technique is a core teaching of Vajra; and practices combining some form of chanting or singing, meditative visualization, and ritual posture seem to be common to many religions.
Some say that chanting pretty much any mantra, with or without the visual aid of an icon or mandala, will have the same effect. Despite many years of Nichiren Shoshu and Soka Gakkai training, I was inclined to agree. My take was {and is] that Nichiren opposed what he saw as the misinformed, reckless, and sometimes deceptive use of mudras, mandalas, and mantras.
Several years ago, I decided to see for myself. This involved shedding a lot of superstition; much of which I was not even aware of. At the time I felt a strong need to develop some real compassion -- I was not even sure what real compassion was.
I was also attracted to Kuan Yin {a Chinese, female form of Bodhisattva Avaloketesvara, sort of the Buddhist Patron Saint of Compassion & Mercy}. I started with the seven {7} syllable Kuan Shih Yin Mantra. As time passed, I tried other mantras, hymns, & sutra recitations accociated with the various forms of Avaloketesvara. In order to get the pronunciation right, I limited myself to chants for which I could find recordings. I also tried to match each mantra with an appropriate visualization.
Eventually, my practice expanded to encompass a number of chants -- such as short suttas, sutras, ghathas {hymns}, short mantras, and long mantras. Due to irrational bias, I stayed away from Amida centered practices as well as most strictly Vajra practices. Meanwhile, I gave the Nichiren practice a rest; it was my {successful} intention of coming back to it with a fresh perspective.
to be continued ...
BTW, I no longer believe "that chanting pretty much any mantra, with or without the visual aid of an icon or mandala, will have the same effect."
Posted by rbeck at August 18, 2006 07:03 PM