Mantras

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The various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism each has a mantra associated with them. This is also true of the historical Buddha. A mantra is a short series of words or sounds that expresses the essence of that figure and possesses a certain spiritual power. They include seed syllables such as om, ah and hum each of which has many symbolic connotations but no conceptual meaning, and each Buddha or bodhisattva is associated with a articular seed syllable that is the core of their mantra.  

"A mantra is not meant just to concentrate one's mind. It's an archetypal sound symbol that has the function of keeping one in touch with the higher spiritual realities which it embodies.” Sangharakshita

While the mantra itself is constant, the tunes used to chant it vary. Listen to these recordings of mantras associated with different Buddha and Bodhisattva figures. 

📖 Download the musical score for these mantra settings

Akshobya

Ratnasambhava

Amitābha

Amoghasiddhi

Vairocana

Shakyamuni

White Tara 

Avalokitesvara

Manjughosa

Avalokitesvara

Manjughosa

Talks

🎧 Listen to talks around the theme of myth and symbol in Buddhism

🎧 Listen to talks about mantra and other recordings of mantras