Clarification｜ Chanting Mantras: Permissible or Stealing Dharma?
Unlocking the Right Way to Benefit Beings Through Sacred Sounds
Om a guru shakyashasanashri hum pat
To the Buddhas, the True Dharma, and the Noble Sangha, the Three Jewels,
I take refuge from now until enlightenment forever.
With the merits accumulated through generosity and other practices,
For the benefit of all sentient beings, I aspire to attain great awakening.
Quotation：
“ If chanted with right mindfulness and bodhicitta (the altruistic intention to attain enlightenment for the sake of all beings), there is no significant fault. ”
Main Text：
◎ Question: Respected Guru Shakya, I would like to ask about certain mantras, such as the Rebirth Mantra, Great Compassion Mantra, Shurangama Mantra, and mantras for liberation. Reciting these can benefit sentient beings. Is it permissible to chant them, and does it constitute the offense of stealing Dharma?
● Guru Shakya: Strictly speaking, these mantras belong to Esoteric Buddhism, which encompasses the secrets of body, speech, and mind. Mantras are classified as speech secrets. As part of esoteric practices, they require authentic transmission from a qualified master. However, some mantras are more oriented toward benefiting others. If chanted with right mindfulness and bodhicitta (the altruistic intention to attain enlightenment for the sake of all beings), there is no significant fault. Nonetheless, without proper transmission, one cannot fully realize the true merits of these mantras.
This distinction is emphasized to ensure authentic accomplishment, not merely to accumulate superficial merits. The merits of all mantras are immense, but many practitioners do not experience their full power. This is often because they lack esoteric initiation and the samaya vows (commitments of esoteric practice). In Buddhist practice, without the foundation of precepts, there can be no corresponding spiritual achievement.
Regarding the issue of stealing Dharma, the widespread availability of esoteric mantras on the internet is highly inappropriate. Mantras have specific functions, and some require strict recitation conditions and rituals. Without these, issues such as spiritual obstacles or demonic disturbances may arise, constituting the offense of stealing Dharma.
I have also chanted many mantras, and in esoteric traditions, there are specific practices for the Shurangama Mantra. However, in Chinese Buddhism, the Shurangama Mantra is often considered part of exoteric teachings, so we will not delve into esoteric details here.
Generally, it is permissible to chant the Ten Small Mantras and the heart mantras of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in daily practice.
The key condition is that recitation must be guided by bodhicitta, not driven by a desire to accumulate personal merits. For practitioners, seeking merits in this way is no different from worldly people chasing wealth—this mindset is incorrect.
Auspicious and Wish-Fulfilling
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May all sentient beings forever possess happiness and its causes.
May all sentient beings forever be free from suffering and its causes.
May all sentient beings forever enjoy the bliss free from suffering, bringing joy to my heart.
May all sentient beings abide in equanimity, far from greed and anger.
Origin｜Guru Shakya
Theme｜Right Understanding
Fascinating subject. In-between all the noise of useless positive affirmations us westerners seem to be so fond of without any relevance and the ridiculous notion of finding success in four easy steps! I honestly don't think we'd know if we were stealing or not at this point 🤔
By practicing mantra recitation for the benefit of others and in accordance with the proper method, one can avoid mistakes and maximize benefits.