Question asked by Demian
Thank you for the answers.
What would happen if someone chanted a mantra that needed empowerment or initiation, but chanted without a guru's permission? I chanted the Vajrasattva and Yamantaka mantra without initiation when I first started Buddhism without knowing anything about initiation.
What happens if you mispronounced a mantra or sutra?
Is it possible to receive initiation or empowerment in dreams? I had a strange dream of a mustached man who claimed to be a guy named Lotus Born who showed me a strange vision of a flood.
Did Shakyamuni Buddha ever teach about Tantra or wrathful practices of dharmapalas? Did he even teach about using vajras and bells? I don't know any of his teachings on those.
Do enlightened beings like Yama and Begtse have mantras? I know deities that are enlightened like Palden Lhamo, Mahakala, Kalarupa, Dorje Shugden, Setrap, Amitabha, Vairocana, and others have mantras, but do all of them have mantras?
As for yidams, how does one obtain one?
Dear Demian,
Thank you for your questions, you seem to be learning a lot. There are some mantras that require initiation to recite, while there are others that do not necessarily need initiation. For example there is an initiation for Vajrasattva practice, but one can recite the mantra without having received the initiation. However, there are others that require initiation such as Yamantaka, as it belongs to the Highest Yoga class of Tantra. While there is nothing bad that will happen, I suggest that you stop reciting the Yamantaka mantra and continue reciting the Vajrasattva mantra. In fact it is very beneficial to recite the Vajrasattva mantra coupled with the four opponent powers 21 times at the end of the day. This will stop the negative karma you have accumulated over the course of the day from multiplying. When you mispronounce a mantra and sutra without having been taught the correct pronunciation, there is no negative effects. However, if possible you should learn the correct pronunciation from your Guru.
There are many methods of initiation, however I have never come across an account of an initiation being given in a dream. Apart from the normal method of initiation, the other forms require very special teachers and already advanced students. For most people these days, we would need to receive the initiation physically in person from a qualified Guru.
Buddha Shakyamuni did indeed teach the tantras. In fact the tantric practices existing today trace back to Buddha Shakyamuni and other enlightened beings. Buddha Shakyamuni arose in the form of Buddha Vajradhara to teach the tantras. In another example Buddha Shakyamuni arose in the form of Heruka to teach the Chakrasamvara tantras. As part of teaching these tantras, he did teach about Dharma protectors as they are included in tantric practice, as is the use of the Vajra and bell.
The Dharma protectors you have mentioned do indeed have mantras. In fact all Buddhas and enlightened Dharma protectors will have their own mantra. Mantras are actually the energies of the enlightened beings in the form of sound, therefore as the Buddhas emanate in various forms that we can see, they also emanate in the form of mantras as well.
As for obtaining the mantra of your Yidam, you should first find a qualified Guru. Keeping your Guru devotion strong, you should request your Guru to tell you your Yidam and if possible give you an oral transmission of the mantra. As you progress on your spiritual path, you may then request initiation for this particular deity’s practice. I hope this helps.
Thank you.