mantras and spells

[Guest guest]

This topic can be discussed till kingdom come but pointless doing so and

this is not a religious educational group

 

Had a look at the link you sent and quoting excerpts from there:

 

""""""" Mantras have some features in common with spells in general, in

that they are a translation of the human will or desire into a form of

action. Indeed, Dr. Edward Conze, a scholar of Buddhism, frequently

translated "mantra" as "spell". As symbols, sounds are seen to effect

what they symbolise. Vocal sounds are frequently thought of as having

magical powers, or even of representing the words or speech of a deity.

""""""""""

 

This statement is rather generalized but would not agree nor disagree

with it. To disagree with it, a Ph.D thesis would be required to prove

or disprove certain elements. Frankly, I haven't the prana.

 

However, note that Dr. Edward Conze who wrote this, is a Scholar of

Buddhism. It is his point of view that "mantra is frequently translated

as spell". (His point of view, not others' point of view. But each to

their own cup of tea that feels comfy to them.)

 

In the same paragraph of the above statement, he mentioned Kukai, the

monk who traveled to Tibet and brought Buddhism back to Japan during

ancient times. Kukai established monasteries and several sacred

sanctuaries for pilgrimage of believers (like Hindu Yatra). Associated

with Kukai is also Shingon Buddhism which amongst its practices, prays

to Ma Kali in the form of Tara. In Japan there are books derived from

Shingon Buddhism that contain "spells".

 

Personally while in Japan when young, I have witnessed one such book and

would you believe, much of its contents were borrowed from "western

mystery traditions"!

 

Our dear sister Simoneji (long absent from here due to wobbly health)

wrote a manuscript to that effect some time ago. It addressed the

differences between Shingon practices and spells, and Western mystery

traditions. Kind of like a comparative study which is a monumental task.

God knows how many years it wil take to complete such a tome. She had

also seen the same Japanese book and several others that I had no access

to. She would be able to vouch better, yay or nay. Unfortunately, she

is not able to come online for a long, long time yet.

 

As to the Hindu aspects mentioned in the same paragraph by Dr. Edward

Conze, Simone is also in a better position than I am, to clarify the

differences.

 

Anyway, this is is all OFF TOPIC. This is the last I can say of this

subject. No more

 

Ommmmm

 

 

, Ana Raguin

<ana_raguin wrote:

>

> Thanks.

>

> It's just that I read something about it here:

>

> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantra

>

> That they have their simililarity, but mantras are holy and sacred.

>

> Ana

>