Mantras and Sacred Chants

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Mantras or sacred chants are often written in Sanskrit which is an ancient sacred language from India. Many of the holy books linked with Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism are written in this language.

The word ‘mala’, is from the Sanskrit language and means ‘garland of flowers’. In the East a mala is a string of beads used in meditation or prayer as each bead or ‘flower’ focuses on a prayer or mantra.

You can see mala beads in this photo where the Buddhist practitioner is about to chant mantras to Medicine Buddha.

“Creative education that empowers and embraces all Uniting the World in Peace” “Addysg greadigol sy’n grymuso ac yn cofleidio pawb Uno'r Byd mewn Heddwch” 2

The word ‘mantra’ is also from the Sanskrit language and describes a sacred sound or group of words used in chanting. Mantras are repeated in order to focus the mind or consciousness. The oldest mantras composed in Sanskrit are at least 3000 years old.

Some teachers refer to mantras as ‘mind protection’ or ‘secret speech’. This is because concentrating on mantras, and counting mala beads at the same time, helps to block out distracting thoughts. Western scientists are beginning to discover that the chanting of mantras has health benefits and helps to calm the mind and nervous system.

The word ‘mantra’ can be broken down into two parts: ‘man’, which means mind, and ‘tra’, which means transport or vehicle. In other words, a mantra is an instrument of the mind—a powerful sound or vibration that you can use to enter a deep state of meditation.

Followers of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism believe that mantras have spiritual power.

The most powerful mantra of all is Om, which is pronounced with the sounds: A, U, and M. In Hinduism OM or AUM is known as the ‘pranava mantra’, the source of all mantras. For this reason, all mantras usually begin with the sound of the sacred Om.

You can hear the Om being chanted in this link on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMmuChXra_M&t=1904s

Sacred Om

“Creative education that empowers and embraces all Uniting the World in Peace” “Addysg greadigol sy’n grymuso ac yn cofleidio pawb Uno'r Byd mewn Heddwch” 3

The sacred Om is often referred to as the sound of the universe. When chanted it produces very powerful positive vibrations and links us with the universe and the Supreme Source of everything that exists. Westerners call the Supreme Source ‘God’.

When chanting mantras we engage our body, speech and mind. The intention is to transform our mind into ‘Buddha nature’ or spiritual potential. The experience of chanting is very uplifting. Mantras need to be chanted repeatedly as transforming the mind in not easy and takes time.

Mantras have powerful vibrational energy and are claimed to ‘wake up’ and stimulate the chakras and meridians of our body. It is said that the most powerful mantras stimulate meridians in the mouth and head.

‘Chakra’ is the Sanskrit word for ‘wheel of light’. These wheels of light are energy centres in our bodies that help to keep us healthy. They are located at points along the spine.

Many Western doctors are now studying this. Some have also learned about meridians in acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Meridians are invisible energy pathways or channels that run through the physical body. They are linked with the chakras.

“Creative education that empowers and embraces all Uniting the World in Peace” “Addysg greadigol sy’n grymuso ac yn cofleidio pawb Uno'r Byd mewn Heddwch” 4

There are seven major chakras or vortexes of energy in the body.

The chart above shows the position of the energy chakras in the human body.

Each chakra has a colour and a sound. When we are balanced and healthy, these wheels of energy spin and shine brightly. You will note that the chakra colours are in the individual colours of the rainbow staring with bright red at the base and ending with violet at the crown of the head.

We can think of each chakra as a window or door that lets the power of the universe enter and flow within us.

“Creative education that empowers and embraces all Uniting the World in Peace” “Addysg greadigol sy’n grymuso ac yn cofleidio pawb Uno'r Byd mewn Heddwch” 5

Energy meridians as shown in Chinese Medicine

Followers of all the world religions teach us that we are all spiritual beings in human bodies. In other words we are not just a physical body as taught in biology. We also have an invisible energy and spiritual body.

It is claimed that mantra chanting also helps us to link more easily with our spiritual nature which some people call our ‘wisdom mind’, ‘Buddha nature’ or ‘Christ consciousness’ .

The chanting of mantras also brings peace and a special type of single-pointed concentration that is a meditation in itself.

A very powerful and much loved Tibetan mantra that everyone can learn and chant is:

Om Mani Padme Hum

“Creative education that empowers and embraces all Uniting the World in Peace” “Addysg greadigol sy’n grymuso ac yn cofleidio pawb Uno'r Byd mewn Heddwch” 6

Om Mani Padme Hum written in Tibetan

This is probably the most famous mantra in the world. When translated into English, this mantra means, “The jewel of compassion is in the heart’s lotus.” ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ is the mantra of Chenrezi, the Buddha of Compassion in the Tibetan tradition.

The mantra reminds each one of us that everything is possible when our hearts and minds are united in love for all living beings. Tibetan Buddhists will chant or sing this mantra as many times as possible.

“Creative education that empowers and embraces all Uniting the World in Peace” “Addysg greadigol sy’n grymuso ac yn cofleidio pawb Uno'r Byd mewn Heddwch” 7

Mantras and chants can also be found in Latin, Pali and many other beautiful world languages.

Gregorian chants in the Christian tradition are among the most famous in the world.

This CD is an excellent example of Christian devotional chants

Chant: Music for Paradise by the Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz, ISBN: 6-02517- 66016-8

To listen to authentic Hindu mantras listen to the following CD:

Chants of India by Ravi Shankar (produced by George Harrison), ISBN: 7243-8-55948-2-3.

Other wonderful CDs of mantras have been produced by Deva Premal and Miten. Deva and Miten's music is an expression of spiritual devotion, through song and chant. The couple have been living and playing together since 1991, releasing a string of acclaimed CDs along the way.

Explore their website to find out more: http://www.devapremalmiten.com/index.php

“Creative education that empowers and embraces all Uniting the World in Peace” “Addysg greadigol sy’n grymuso ac yn cofleidio pawb Uno'r Byd mewn Heddwch” 8

Deva Premal and Miten are in the endorsements section of the Peace Mala website.

"The Peace Mala is great reminder... every faith, every religion is unique and yet together, they create a rainbow of devotion around the planet.

In these challenging times we need all the help we can give each other to remain in the spirit of openness and oneness."

All the best with your work! With love and blessings, Deva

You can find lots of mantras by exploring YouTube. One of my favourites is the Srvesham Svastir Bhavatur (Peace Mantra) recorded by Tina Turner for the album ‘Children Beyond’ released in 2011.

“Creative education that empowers and embraces all Uniting the World in Peace” “Addysg greadigol sy’n grymuso ac yn cofleidio pawb Uno'r Byd mewn Heddwch” 9

Srvesham Svastir Bhavatur Mantra:

Om Om Om

Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu

Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu

Sarvesham Poornam Bhavatu

Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu

Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

Mantra's Meaning in English:

May there be happiness in all

May there be peace in all

May there be completeness in all

May there be success in all

Find the mantra is in this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XP-f7wPM0A&list=RD6XP- f7wPM0A&index=1

“Creative education that empowers and embraces all Uniting the World in Peace” “Addysg greadigol sy’n grymuso ac yn cofleidio pawb Uno'r Byd mewn Heddwch” 10

Questions

1 What language are mantras usually written in?

2 In which country did this language originate?

3 Which religions have their holy books written in this language?

4 What does the word ’mala’ mean?

5 What is a traditional mala used for?

6 What does the word ‘mantra’ mean?

“Creative education that empowers and embraces all Uniting the World in Peace” “Addysg greadigol sy’n grymuso ac yn cofleidio pawb Uno'r Byd mewn Heddwch” 11

7 Which is the most powerful mantra that starts all other mantras?

8 Why is this mantra so powerful?

8 Why do people chant mantras?

9 What are chakras?

“Creative education that empowers and embraces all Uniting the World in Peace” “Addysg greadigol sy’n grymuso ac yn cofleidio pawb Uno'r Byd mewn Heddwch” 12

10 What do followers of the world religions mean when they say: We are not just physical bodies?

11 Do you agree with this claim? Try to explain why you agree or disagree.

11 Which is probably the most famous mantra in the world and what does it mean?

“Creative education that empowers and embraces all Uniting the World in Peace” “Addysg greadigol sy’n grymuso ac yn cofleidio pawb Uno'r Byd mewn Heddwch”