..续本文上一页ice those virtues, we will gain the corresponding merits. We must distinguish this properly; otherwise it will be confusing and contradictory.
(8) Question: In Buddhism, there are many mantras, such as the six syllable mantra, the hundred syllable mantra of Vajrasattva, and Casket Seal Dharani from the Secret Whole Bodies Relics of all Buddhas Hearts. Buddha said that each of them has tremendous merits, and that we should recite them many thousands of times, respectively. Since there are so many of them, how should I decide which one is best for my practice
Answer: I have had very strong faith in the mantra since my childhood, though I don”t spend much time reciting it now due to being busy. In Tibetan, we have an old saying: “When toddlers are able to pronounce the word “mother”, they already know how to recite the Cherenzig mantra—Om Mani Padme Hum.” Basically, every Tibetan child is like that. However, due to the influence of economic development, many young Tibetan people have left their home towns to study or work in other cities, and some of them are now behaving in disappointing ways.
The benefit or merits of the mantra are articulated by Buddha in various sutras and also tantras. As for which mantra you should choose, we can look at it from two situations: 1) You can choose a mantra with which you have a close connection, through your lineage gurus and certain empowerments or practices, and you can make a commitment and aspire to recite it. 2) Based on your situation. For example, if you have created many negative karmas, then you can recite Vajrasattva”s hundred syllable mantra or the short Vajrasattva mantra; If you want to open up the gate to wisdom so that you are endowed with wisdom in your present life and all future lives, to benefit sentient beings, then you can recite the Manjushri mantra; If you want to eliminate all unfavorable conditions, as well as obstacles caused by the maras, you can recite Guru Rinpoche”s mantra, and so on. Whatever mantra you think is important to you, you can recite that mantra.
In the Tibetan area, there are many practitioners who are quite unique. A while back, for example, an old monk at our institute passed away. Throughout his life, he had recited six hundred million mantras. As for my guru, H.H. Jigme Phuntsok, before he passed into nirvana he consolidated all the mantras he had recited, from short one-word mantras such as “AH” and “HUM,” and mantras of over two words. After adding up them all, they totaled about nine hundred million. My guru entered into parinirvana aged seventy-two years old. Throughout his whole life he always had prayer beads in his hand, reciting mantras continuously.
Usually, practitioners from the Tibetan area always carry prayer beads with them everywhere. Whether they are traveling in a vehicle, herding yaks, or working at a farm, they have the prayer beads with them. Some Tibetan intellectuals and cadres even bring prayer beads to the office. If their boss sees them, sometimes they are scolded. However, nowadays the situation is better, and they can use a counting device to count the mantras, which is not obvious to their boss. In fact, the benefit of reciting mantras is enormous. Not only does it bring long-term benefit and merits, it can even temporarily diminish dualistic thoughts, mental agitation, and sufferings, and settle the mind in a pure and calm state. Therefore, mantras are very constructive and useful.
(9) Question: Arhats attain liberation through hearing the Buddha”s teachings and will teach Dharma to sentient beings. However, the Pratyekabuddhas are quite strange. They attain liberation by themselves without listening to teachings, and they do not teach the Dharma to others. Why do they not teach the Dharma
Is it because their abil…
《Question and Answer Session at Shanghai Fudan University National Study Society》全文未完，请进入下页继续阅读…