About Forms and Sounds Practice
(Hình tướng & Âm thanh by Dianichi on 07 November 2008, 09:12)
In The Diamond Sutra, the Buddha’s statement, “Someone who looks for me in form or seeks me in sound is on a mistaken path and cannot see the Tathagata,”
Explanation:
The saying suggests that searching for the divine through physical forms or auditory experiences leads one astray from perceiving the true essence of enlightenment. Given that heavenly Buddhas, saints, and celestial beings lack physical forms or spoken language, representations such as Buddha statues or Sanskrit Dharanis do not embody the true essence of these spiritual entities. Instead, they serve as symbolic representations intended to aid beginners in grasping abstract spiritual concepts. Therefore, the act of bowing down to Buddha statues or reciting Buddha’s Dharanis should not be mistaken as the core practice in following the heavenly Path.
Some Old_Guru Secret Teaching practitioners emphasize the significance of chanting Dharanis in Sanskrit, believing it to be the correct and effective method. They suggest that sounds possess vibrational frequencies capable of inducing unique changes in both body and mind. However, this emphasis arises from a misunderstanding of the Dharanis’ meaning, with practitioners mistaking them for the divine sounds of the Buddhas. Consequently, Buddhist individuals may experience ecstasy while chanting Dharanis, similar to Catholics praying in Latin despite not understanding the language. Participating in rituals or practices without understanding their meaning or purpose is considered superstition.
Sanskrit mantras are ancient Hindu praises dedicated to the Buddha, but they are not sacred utterances of the Buddha nor formulas to command lower spirits. Chanting these mantras grants no special spiritual power beyond invoking the names of celestial beings like Kwan Shi Yin Bodhisattva or Amitabha Buddha, or reciting religious prayers. Devotional prayers, regardless of language or form, are accepted by celestial deities and may bring blessings to the practitioner. It is the sincerity and faith behind the prayer, not the Sanskrit sounds themselves, that invite divine blessings.
This story serves as a clear illustration of the principle mentioned earlier. A Vietnamese disciple administered the Old_Guru Secret Teaching’s Initiation Rite to a 60-year-old Nepalese man who couldn’t speak Vietnamese. Understanding the language barrier, the disciple instructed the Nepalese man to pray to the Creator in his native language while the disciple prayed to Buddha in Vietnamese. As they continued, each prayed in their respective languages. After some time, the Nepalese man experienced a profound spiritual awakening, attributing it to his simple prayer to the Creator. Despite having previously chanted the Five Dharanis in Sanskrit, he found greater efficacy in this direct prayer. Encouraged by this experience, the Nepalese man began successfully administering the Initiation Rite to others in his community, guiding them simply to pray to the Creator.
Kwan Shih Yin – compassion Dharani
(revised 2/23/24)
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