Clearing the Misconceptions ::: Part III
by Yun Xing (Lin Ai Wei)

Here we will discuss Mantra cultivation. We must first understand the function of a Mantra, what it is, generally, and why it is cultivated. When we speak, we use sounds, words to match the quality of the sound, and then there comes an understanding from the phrase, sentence spoken. Before there is a sound from the body, there is a sound from the mind. We hear the sound of the word we wish to say in the mind, then the word comes which matches the quality of the sound.

What is before the sound in the mind? A desire to express, a feeling to express, and then it becomes the object of what is expressed, and thus it becomes something that must be expressed. Let's say it is love. We feel love, hear the sound in which we wish to say the word, or perform the actions associated with it (which has become a culture of expression) and then we find the words which correlate to the feeling and sound in our mind.

A mantra works in the same manner, and goes a bit deeper. Yet its function is unlike the prayers of other religions. A mantra is a sound which correlates to the realm, mind, and situation either at hand, or in future moments, as well as past ones. Where does a mantra come from? It comes from everywhere, and it originates from nowhere. That means, though I can make a mantra right here, it will be based on my conditions, and be used to either strengthen my conditions, or transform them. Thus it is only existent when there are conditions in which it is utilized for. This is why it originates from nowhere, but since conditions are numerous, and everywhere, a mantra comes from everywhere.

But it isn't that simple either. The functions of different mantras vary. Just like the meanings of the words in the dictionary. Some definitions are similar, but overall have a different context when the word is used. A mantra has many functions, and is used according to the situations, conditions at hand. Now that there is a good distinction between the similarities of Mantras and language, let us go into a little bit more deeply, the realm of mantra.

A mantra is a key, and its sounds resonate to the numerous realms. This means it influences the most subtle of all conscious reality. When a mantra is spoken, generally, it is for the transforming of the conditions at hand which a person may be experiencing or witnessing. Each mantra has a purpose and specific function, but they are not fixed, which means the context in which they are utilized is numerous. The sounds of a mantra resonate with the conditions present, and work to transform them to a more "lighter" vibration. If there is a heavy presence of anger, there are mantras which can transform the anger into a more stable energy, thus influencing the situation.

In the Buddhist school, chanting a mantra, or many of them, is for eradicating heavy obstacles in one's path, and making way for clearer understanding, wisdom, compassion, and patience. It is not limited to just these few uses. When a monk/nun or layperson-cultivator chants a mantra, it is for many reasons; Personal cultivation for revealing the pure mind, healing oneself or others, extending the function of the mantra, to the environment around them (planet, universe, other worlds, and realms) for the uplifting of the energy/mind towards peace, harmony, wisdom, patience, compassion, and thus revealing the pure mind.

When we say "environment" in Buddhism, we do not mean only the trees, and lakes, mountains, Nature, or even only one's immediate surroundings. We actually mean the immediate surroundings and all those included such as peoples, animals, trees, insects, birds, buildings, and the whole country, other countries, islands, oceans, lakes, rivers, the living beings there, other world systems, realms and the universe. The environment is much bigger than many of us living beings have even imagined.

So, the function of a mantra is sent out in sincere concentration to everywhere. Some functions of mantras are for calling on Buddhas and Bodhisatvas to come and assist in cultivation, protection, defeating demons both in the mind and external ones, the list can go on. The mantras are not something to depend on when in fear of situations and conditions, but something that is cultivated to strengthen one's mind, revealing one's inherent wisdom so as to eradicate negative and positive karma and anchor positive karma.

Confused? One who has karma of any sort will constantly be on the wheel of birth and death. Coming and going, whether it is good or bad that they have done, they are in the cycle of receiving and giving, cause and effect. We say bad and good karma only as a manner of distinguishing that which is pleasing to living beings, and that which isn't. Having bad karma results in one being more and more upset, angry and that just causes more unpleasant experiences, unless one is wise and learns how to stop adding on more situations which result in unpleasantness.

Good karma results in living beings wanting to feel more of the good they receive. That wanting results in more wanting or greed, and that just brings on karma of being greedy and experiencing a reality of wanting and needing. Those who are wise can tell the difference between needing, wanting and a choice of having. Regardless of the karma they create and experience, they are unmoved, neither going with the good or bad, but utilizing the good for more good. Isn't such a contradiction a wonderful expedient? To utilize the good in order to keep the good steady, this results in neither wanting, nor needing, and diminishes the bad. Because it is all mind anyway.

Here is a basic idea, a general meaning of mantras and their functions. The benefits and functions of mantra cultivation are endless. I can never label them all even in millions of years. Living beings are numerous; therefore fixed teaching will never serve them properly. I hope this short explanation of the expedient of mantra cultivation serves its purpose. The purpose of this writing is to shed light on the misconceptions that mantra recitation/chanting is similar to other religious prayer work.

Though it serves similar purposes as other religious prayer work, similar in a small percentage, it is not limited to those functions, or depend on the same realm of origin, and it does not depend. Remember, mantra cultivation is also a personal cultivation. Therefore this expedient assists one in transforming the mind, turning the mind inward from the external focuses which exhaust one's energy and deteriorate one's wisdom and virtue. Some call on the power of other beings, yet still all mantras assist one in cultivating their own mind, own abilities, which can never hold too much strength when borrowed, but do good anyway.

The Buddhist school always cultivates one's own abilities, even when borrowing from other beings. It is this way because in the Buddhist school, The Buddha is the main teacher, the principle of the university, and the Bodhisattvas are equivalent to seniors, deans and caretakers of the university. They are our elders in cultivation, and teachers as well. Though there have been numerous Buddhas in the past, the being who has taught such teachings in our world is named Sakyamuni Buddha. Therefore we take this Buddha as our original teacher of the methods towards attaining pure complete enlightenment, and take his disciples, the numerous Bodhisattvas, as our elders whom we can look to for guidance along our path of the cultivation of the Buddha Dharma which are the teachings which lead one to attain complete pure enlightenment = Buddha hood.

Part Four of Clearing the Misperceptions