Buddhist chanting

Chanting is one of the oldest Buddhist practices. Before the teachings were written down, monks and nuns preserved them by reciting them together from memory. Today Buddhists of every tradition chant, in temples and at home.

Why Buddhists chant

Chanting is not mainly a request for help from outside. It serves several purposes at once. It recalls the qualities of the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. It keeps important teachings fresh in the mind. It calms and gathers attention, which makes it a natural lead-in to meditation. When done with others, it creates a sense of shared practice. And the rhythm and sound can lift the heart.

What is chanted

What is chanted differs by tradition, and each form has its own long history:

• Theravada chanting is usually in Pali. Common texts are the homage to the Buddha (Namo tassa…), the three refuges, the five precepts, verses on the qualities of the Triple Gem, and discourses such as the discourse on loving-kindness.
• Mahayana traditions in East Asia often chant the Heart Sutra, the name of the Buddha Amitābha, or passages from the Lotus Sutra, in Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Vietnamese.
• Tibetan practitioners recite prayers and mantras such as oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ, associated with Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.
• Nichiren Buddhists chant the title of the Lotus Sutra.

Many communities also chant in English translation.

How to chant at home

You do not need a good voice. Choose one short text, such as the refuges and precepts, and learn it slowly. Sit or kneel comfortably in front of a shrine if you have one. Chant at an even pace, clearly and not too fast. Let the attention rest on the sound and the meaning.

If you are using a language you do not know, read a translation first so that you understand what you are saying. Over time many people come to know the main chants by heart.

Chanting and meditation

Chanting can be a practice of mindfulness in itself. When the mind wanders, return to the next word. A few minutes of chanting before sitting meditation often helps the mind settle. At the end of your practice, some people chant a short dedication, sharing any goodness that has come from the practice with all beings.