CHANTING SERVICES

Chanting Shurangama Mantra (Private Session)

We start a day by chanting the Shurangama Mantra (Unsurpassed Spiritual Mantra), and the heart of the mantra one hundred eight times to pray for world peace, prosperity and happiness in the midst of tragedy and violence, and for those who are suffering through oppression or natural disaster throughout the world.

The Shurangama Mantra (Unsurpassed Spiritual Mantra) is the longest and most important mantra in the Chinese Tripitaka. According to Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, a monk of Chan Buddhism and a contributing figure in bringing Chinese Buddhism to the United States, Shakyamuni Buddha proclaimed the Shurangama Mantra in order to protect of all of us who have brought forth the initial resolve to study the Way; to aid us in attaining samadhi; to help us be at peace in body and mind; and to keep us out of trouble. Therefore we should never forget this Dharma.

When you memory and recite this mantra, you can attain the mantra-recitation samadhi. Those who recite the Shurangama Mantra must be proper in their behavior, proper in their intent; must not have defiled thoughts, and must not do impure deeds. They should be very attentive to cultivating purity.

Chanting Mantra of Avalokiteshva

We chant the Great Compassion mantra of Avalokitesvara twenty-one times and dedicate the merit from the meditation to the benefit of all sentient beings. Meditating on or visualizing Avalokitesvara can bring compassion into your life—compassion for others, as well as compassion for you from others. The immediate benefits are purification of negative karmas, protection and healing.

Avalokitesvara (pronounced Av-ah-low-key-tesh-vah-ra) is also known as Guan Yin (Kuan Shi Yin) in China, Kanon in Japan, Chenrezig in Tibet, Natha in Sri Lanka, Lokanat in Burma, Lokesvara in Thailand, Quan Am in Viet Nam, and by many other names.

Reciting sutras or mantras daily can help us relieve daily stress, focus on the teachings, and plant the seeds of Enlightenment in our subconscious. Moreover, we recite mantras to educate our subconscious since our conscious mind is influenced by our subconscious; indeed, that our subconscious operates absolute control over our character.