Master Ji Qun: Spells play an important role in Brahmanism in India. In Brahmanism's Adamaveda, as a way of communication between man and god, its main function is to pray and curse, thus achieving the satisfaction of wishes. However, in early Buddhist agama, there was basically a negative attitude towards incantations. It was not until the Mahayana classics such as Shurangama Sutra and Pharmacist Sutra that the spell had its place. There are two main aspects of the spells we see now. The first is the names of Buddha, Bodhisattva and Dharma Protector, and the second is the problems that spells can solve. We know that incantations play a very important role in the practice of Tibetan Buddhism. So apart from what we said earlier, what special role do spells have in Tibetan Buddhism? In other words, what is the difference between the spells used by Tibetan Buddhism and those used by other religions such as traditional Brahmanism?
Sodagi Kampo: Spells really occupy a very important position in Tibetan Buddhism. In Tibet, almost everyone has a rosary in his hand. Whether at home or becoming a monk, people's rosary is used to count spells. Many Tibetans have been chanting incantations all their lives, and some of them have recited their God's incantations more than one billion times. What is more commendable is that Tibetans basically hold a correct view of gods and their mantras, which is a rare character and trait compared with other ethnic groups. Personally, many people of other nationalities who believe in Buddhism or don't believe in Buddhism, some of them will also wrap their hands around prayer beads or hang a string of big beads on their chests. However, a closer look reveals that many people regard rosary as a decoration or a simple talisman to ward off evil spirits. This deviation from the original function of rosary always makes people feel a little sorry.
In fact, chanting is not a unique invention of Tibetans. This kind of behavior is in line with the teachings declared by the Buddha and the rules of practice. "Manjusri Warriors Continuation" says: "The Buddha now shows a secret spell and gives him all the places he knows. Those who practice the secret method will achieve if they become that one. " "I want to ask the wonderful arm sutra" says: "Knowing different industries in the world, along with all sentient beings, shines with the secret spell and is honored by the secret spell teacher." The first Shurangama Sutra also said: "If you sit in the Dojo without magic, your body and mind will be far away from all magical things." "The Secret Collection of Guanyin Sutra" also said: "Whoever is cursed by God will achieve something no matter what he does, but he must be convinced and not suspicious." The Book of Light clearly points out: "Ten Bodhisattvas still have magical protection, let alone ordinary people?" The Little Prajna Sutra introduces in detail the extraordinary merits and demerits of Sakyamuni's mantra: "With the power of this mantra, the Buddha will become a Buddha, and Guanyin will prove a bodhisattva. If you only smell this mantra, you will get infinite blessings and remove all karma. "
From this point of view, the spell actually has incredible merits and blessings. Investigate its reason, as the omniscient Mai Peng Rinpoche said: "In winning righteousness, all laws are equal to unbiased and clean dharma bodies;" In the secular world, whether it is the true body of the saint or the secret spell, it is an illusory wisdom commitment in front of the transformed person. If you know there is no difference between the two, you should accept the secret spell as the Lord. " In other words, the great wisdom of the saints, blessed by their great compassion and great wishes, manifests itself in various secret spells, handprints, etc., just like being influenced by habits, the self-mind can be manifested in the external world and body. Therefore, this secret spell handprint is no different from obtaining an intellectual icon. Since the secret mantra is an illusion of the Tathagata, it will certainly achieve the Tathagata's career and give it fruit, so it is extremely important to recite it.
Not only chanting spells can bring such great benefits, but even just watching spells can bring endless merits to the parties. "Manjusri Fundamental Continuation" says: "It's called the secret mantra of reciting good deeds and death. If all the mantras have true meaning, all beings can look at the secret mantras sideways and accept them if they come. " The merit of the mantra is so incredible because it was not invented by a certain mage in his History of Indian Buddhism: "There is no doubt that the secret mantra can produce effects. If you read the truth, you can become a Buddha. What kind of Buddha is this? There is still room for investigation. " If even the function of the spell is to be doubted, then the Mahayana doctrine of "all beings are like Buddha" should also be marked with a big question mark. Because when we say a spell, we just take the spell as the deity; At the same time, we know very well in our hearts that all this is not for us to firmly grasp an external god or its spells. It is clear to all that the wisdom of the caster, that is, the wisdom of being good at death, changes, and there is no essential difference between our mind and the wisdom of Buddha and Bodhisattva. Therefore, as the illusory and unreal stains in our hearts become cleaner and cleaner, what we can see, such as the changes and blessings of the Tathagata, becomes more and more obvious. Finally, when all the dirt and stains are washed away and the former reality is presented, all buddhas are themselves, and they are all buddhas, so that the practitioner obtains a dharma-body wisdom body that is no different from the other ten Buddhas in the Third World. If you lack a firm understanding of this deity, magic and your own Buddha nature; The blessings of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are integrated into their own hearts, and he is no different from the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the end. It is worth exploring whether such a yogi and mage can prove the Buddha's fruit.
In Tibetan Buddhism, there are not only mantras of buddhas, bodhisattvas and saints, but also mantras that can make the holders rich, live long and healthy, as well as mantras dedicated to crossing over, accepting and soliciting customers. In the Tantric classics, especially in the Sanzang Sequel, there is also a special spell set, which contains almost all the Tantric spells. When we open the Tripitaka, we will find that all the mantras about the four great career laws in Tantric Buddhism come from this collection of Buddhist scriptures.
Another thing to note about incantations is that incantations are usually transliterated and their meanings are often untranslated. According to the well-known truth, the spell itself is 40%: it is made by the law, determined by the law, determined by the blessing, and determined by the blessing of the ability. Therefore, major translators basically do not translate incantations, so as not to misinterpret or simplify or vulgarize incantations full of infinite secrets of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Therefore, the incantations in the classics such as the Heart Sutra that we have seen have not been translated freely.
The meaning of the secret spell mentioned above can only be possessed by heretical spells or brahmin spells? It is generally difficult to distinguish their differences only from words, so the most important way to judge them is to look at their own opinions. There are also many spells in heretics, which are used to repent of sins, get rid of karma or seek happiness. They also emphasize the idea of doing good by holding a curse. On the surface, pagans and Buddhism have eleven similarities. However, after in-depth observation, it will be found that the starting point, purpose, method of holding spells and final result of Buddhism are essentially different from those of heretics. From the ultimate point of view, you can't find any correspondence between the principle of holding spells mentioned above. So, how can we say that the Buddhist mantra is like a heresy that comes from nothing and Buddhism can't find a place to live?
If we discuss it in detail, we can distinguish Buddhism from heretics in terms of seeing, acting, acting and forbearance, especially in terms of opinions. This is the most important criterion to judge the difference between Brahmins and other heresies and Buddhism. Compare the difference between conversion and initiation before holding a spell; There is a difference between the guidance of visualization and emptiness by holding spells; Finally, the difference between Buddhism and Taoism in holding spells is completely different.
In fact, there is also a saying of giving in the heretics. Because there is also charity in Buddhism, is it necessary to put Buddhism under heresy again? The similarity in words is not surprising, let alone the basis of judgment. It is important to look at the inner nature and the nature of God. The view that the Buddhist mantra method originated from Brahmanism has a long history. Most of those who hold these views are people who have little practical experience in studying and practicing the secret dharma, like the author of the History of Indian Buddhism, although he is famous. People's misunderstanding of secret law is getting deeper and deeper. If we don't change this research method, thinking and style from the superficial words or historical data of death, instead of practicing and studying the classics rigorously and deeply, will future generations mistakenly think that this is a heretical classic when they see the incantations in the pharmacologists' classics? There are more than twenty letters in the Tripitaka that are related to sequels, many of which are about magic. There are also many places involving incantations in Xian Zong's Confucian classics. If we think that all spells come from pagans, aren't these classics regarded as pagan opium? Whether this practice promotes Buddhism or destroys Buddhism with ignorance and prejudice, wise people should think deeply.
According to the Mahayana Zhuangyanbao Buddhist Scripture, the Buddha himself told the Bodhisattva that in order to obtain the mantra of "Hum, Eight Beautiful States", the Buddha provided countless Tathagata in infinite time, but it was not until the servant provided Tathagata that the Tathagata obtained this mantra. Not to mention the net karma and six degrees of merit of the six-character mantra, can we still despise, despise or even doubt it and jump to judgment on this mantra and all the secret spells just by looking at the countless days it took the Buddha to get it?
Cherish our potentially indestructible human body, just as we should cherish the same spell as the Buddha and Bodhisattva.