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The Role of Chanting in Zen Practice - by Bill Smart
Zen has many teaching techniques and tools which
are employed to assist you in realizing Buddha Nature.
Zen meditation (zazen) is the primary technique, but all of
the techniques/tools are employed to help you cease the seemingly
incessant activity of your discriminating/rational mind (sometimes
called ‘monkey mind’) which tends to obscure the underlying and
ever-present Buddha Nature.
Chanting is one of these techniques/tools.
Merriam-Webster Online defines ‘chant’ as:
“1. to make melodic sounds with the voice
2. to sing a chant to recite something in a monotonous repetitive
tone”
This definition corresponds with my experience of chanting as
employed in zen practice.
It is important to point out that it doesn’t
matter what these words or sounds are. Chants can be anything from
single-syllable or short multi-syllable chants (also called
‘mantras’) to memorization and recitation of complete works such as
sutras. Examples of
some short chants that I believe are suitable for use in zen
practice are:
1.‘Aum’ - or ‘Om’, an important Hindu mantra
2. ‘Only Don’t Know’ - mantra of contemporary Korean Zen Master
Seung Sahn
3. ‘Coca-Cola’ - brand name of a carbonated soft drink sold in
stores, restaurants and vending machines
4. ‘Gate! Gate! Paragate Parasamgate BodhiSvaha!’ - the last phrases
in the Heart Sutra
5. ‘Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama
Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare’ - The ‘Great Mantra’ from the
Vendantic Upanishads
6. ‘Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art
thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy
Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our
death. Amen.’ - Catholic Christian petition/mantra used in saying
the Rosary
7. ‘Mu’ – the reply of the historical Zen Master
Joshu to a question from one of his students about Buddha Nature.
This sound is often used as a mantra while working on this
koan.
There are no ‘magical’ or ‘holy’ or ‘mystical’ words or sounds that
make a chant any more or less effective.
Some believe words or sounds that are especially sonorous
(produce a full, deep,
or rich sound) are better because the resultant vibrations can be
felt in the body and assist in diverting the mind from rational
thought.
In my opinion it is best if
using actual words that the words NOT BE MEANINGFUL to the chanter.
This will help prevent the
chanter from thinking about the meaning of the words while chanting.
Chanting using foreign words such as examples 1, 4, 5
or 7 above might prove best
for an English-only speaker.
If using words known to the chanter, such as examples 2, 3 and 6
above, there is a tendency to try to ‘understand’ what the words or
the entire chant means.
This is counterproductive since the object is to cease the
activity of your discriminating/rational mind.
Chants using familiar words or phrases only become effective
when the chant is repeated enough that the discriminating/rational
mind ceases to process them as words or phrases, but only sounds.
At this point the discriminating/rational mind’s activity
will cease and only the sound experienced.
It is then that Buddha Nature can be realized.
Good luck with your chanting!
Good luck with your chanting!
Good luck with your chanting!
Good luck with your chanting!
Good luck with your chanting!
Good luck with your chanting!
Good luck with your chanting!
Good luck with your chanting!
Good luck with your chanting!
Good luck with your chanting!
Good luck with your chanting!
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Copyright © 2012 Bill Smart. All rights reserved. Reproductions permitted.