Why Do We Chant Mantras?

Why are mantras chanted in Buddhism?In this short talk, Shingon Buddhist nun Mika explores the meaning of mantras, sacred words of prayer preserved in Sanskrit for centuries. Learn why these words are treasured, why their sound is important, and how they continue to be used in Buddhist practice today.Keywords: mantra, Shingon Buddhism, Buddhist chanting, sacred words, prayer, Sanskrit, meditation, spirituality

Transcript

Hello and thank you for being here today. My name is Miko. And I am a Shingon Buddhist nun from Japan. Today I'd like to share a little about mantras and why they are important in Shingon Buddhism. When we play, Whether for ourselves or for someone else, The words that else are often different from our ordinary conversation. Words of prayer are among the purest words we can speak. Beyond the differences in religion and faith. When people pray, They pray their purest feelings into those words. Buddhism was born in India. For this reason, Many sacred words of prayer have been. Preserved in Sanskrit. The ancient language of India. These are called mantras. A mantra is a sacred expression of our wishes and prayers. That is why Buddhism has treasured mantras for centuries. In Shingon Buddhism, The sacred words are called Shingon. The words, Shingon means true words. When we chant a mantra, We value not only its meaning but also its sound. It is because sacred words or phrases are believed to carry power. That is why mantra continue to be chanted today. The sound on. Which is often used in yoga and meditation as one example of a mantra. The next time you pray. Perhaps you can do so with a deeper awareness of the meaning and tradition behind the sacred words. I hope that awareness may become a sound of strength in your life. Thank you for spending this time with me. May your day be peaceful and well.