If the key repeated mantra of one’s life is not based on goodness and truth, how can one attain greater compassion and wisdom through it?
— Stonepeace | Get Books
In an interview with Lee Kuan Yew by ‘The New York Times’, he spoke of being impressed by a friend’s serenity despite the illness and death of his wife, which led him to learn to meditate from his Catholic teacher. In Lee’s words, ‘The discipline is to have a mantra which you keep repeating in your innermost heart; no need to voice it over and over again [verbally] throughout the whole period of meditation. The mantra they recommended was a religious one. Ma-Ra-Na-Tha (Maranatha), four syllables. Come To Me Oh Lord Jesus [which should be ‘Come, O Lord’]. So I said okay, I am not a Catholic but I will try. He said you can take any other mantra, Buddhist “Om Mi Tuo Fo” [which should be ‘Āmítuófó‘: Ah-Mi-Tuo-Fo’: 阿弥陀佛], and keep repeating it… You must be disciplined. I find it helps me go to sleep after that. A certain tranquillity settles over you. The day’s pressures and worries are pushed out.’ [Note: Original biblical teachings do not contain mantra or meditation practices, which some believe were created to mimic Buddhist mindfulness practices.]
In Buddhism, mindful chanting, be it verbal or silent, is indeed a form of meditation, that helps to cultivate calmness (concentration) and clarity (insight). But is spiritual faith in the meaning of the words chanted arbitrary or optional? Yes… but that chanted should be soothing to one, or it is not going to work – if the goal is only to create some peace of mind. (Even chanting ‘Namo Coca Cola’ is alright for this goal if it sounds pleasing!) No… as that chanted should be understood and believed in, or it is not going to work – if the goal is to nurture right faith that leads to liberation or a better rebirth.
This is not to say all ‘mantras’ based on faith are also rooted in reality. (‘Namo Coca Cola’ promises no liberation!) Although used as if it is one, ‘Āmítuófó’ is not only a supreme mantra in Buddhism (like many other Buddhist mantras), but also the name of Amitā[bha/ayus] Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life, the faithful wholehearted (single-minded) mindfulness of whom, coupled with the right aspiration, leads to rebirth in his Pure Land, a blissful school (without worldly pressures, worries and other obstacles), where one can definitely ‘graduate’ enlightened, to better help all others still in suffering.
Lee also said the following, which is not entirely true – ‘I am an agnostic… Well, what is next, I do not know. Nobody has ever come back… The Buddhists believe in transmigration of the soul. If you live a good life, the reward is in your next migration, you will be a good being, not an ugly animal… but… I do not believe in it… You can’t choose how you go unless you are going to take an overdose of sleeping pills…’
However, many great Buddhist masters have the practice of returning with proof of intact memories, also recognised by other masters. They return out of compassion to resume their good works to guide other beings to liberation. Buddhists do not teach ‘transmigration of the soul’ as everyone’s consciousness continues to change within this life, and from life to life, which is how we can /devolve spiritually, also karmically taking forms of hell-beings, hungry ghosts, asuras and devas. Some positive results of doing good can be experienced in this life too. We can choose to depart peacefully when we practise the Dharma well, and it is a misconception that dying in one’s sleep will surely be ‘peaceful’ unconsciously, as death is when one’s consciousness consciously leaves the body. Suicide often leads to unfortunate rebirths too, as it is killing done with strong aversion.
Assumption with worldly intelligence is often far apart from realisation with spiritual wisdom.
— Stonepeace | Get Books
Related Courses:
Desination Pureland: How To Have The Best Rebirth
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/?s=Destination+Pureland%3A+How+To+Have+The+Best+Rebirth+run
The Faith Factor: Strengthening Faith Through The Treatise On Ten Doubts About Pure Land
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2016/05/the-faith-factor-strengthening-faith-through-the-treatise-on-ten-doubts-about-pure-land-6th-run
Related Articles:
Meditation by Catholic & Buddhist Chanting
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/09/meditation-by-catholic-buddhist-chanting
Differences Between Buddhas & ‘God’ (Are Buddhas Omnipotent, Omnibenevolent & Omniscient?)
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2013/11/are-buddhas-omnipotent-omnibenevolent-omniscient
The Middle Path Between Nihilism & Eternalism
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2011/09/the-middle-path-between-nihilism-eternalism
How to Easier Accept a Loved One’s Suffering
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/09/how-to-easier-accept-a-loved-ones-suffering
What the Buddha Really Taught
http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/06/what-the-buddha-really-taught
The Four Assurances
http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/05/why-be-good
The way this topic is written may not be understood by layman in the street like me. I would appreciate it if you can write it in simple paragraphing and what is good or no good, or what is the opinion suggested so that readers can differentiate the differences. Thank you for your prompt reply.
I think it all pivots upon knowing what a mantra is. A mantra is a string of words which are repeated for various reasons – such as attaining calmness, wisdom, compassion or even a good rebirth. With this understand, if you reread the above, does it make sense?
(C)
If chanting Om Mi Tuo Fo will lead one to the Pure Land , then where will ‘Om Mani Padme Hom’ lead to? I am a beginner.
There is a follow-up of this article at https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/09/meditation-by-catholic-buddhist-chanting
Chanting ‘Amituofo’ with the right faith and aspiration will lead to Pure Land. If one chants ‘Om Mani Padme Hung’ with similar faith and aspiration, it will lead to Pure Land too, as it is the mantra of Guanyin Bodhisattva, who assists Amituofo to guide beings to his Pureland.
It’s good to look out for new Pureland classes in the Events section. Amituofo
Neither a Catholic nor a Buddhist, in fact neither a religious person, what’s the use of believing and reciting any mantras then? Its just solely for temporal peace. Very contradicting!
Very happy to read this article and in gratitude of our dhamma friends who took the efforts to fine tune those adhamma concepts they perceive in Buddhism.