Question asked by ray
Dear Pastors,
Thank you for clearing my doubts previously about purification practices. Today i have a question about reciting praises to buddhas, why do we recite praises and how does reciting praises to buddhas like Tara, Dorje shugden etc. help and benefit us? Because ive seen certain prayer texts to mother tara which i think is referring to the 21 tara praises stating that :
~If this prayer is recited two, three, or seven times,
It will pacify all the sufferings of torments
Caused by spirits, fevers, and poisons,
And by other beings as well.
If you wish for a child, you will get a child;
If you wish for wealth, you will receive wealth.
All your wishes will be fulfilled
And all obstacles pacified.~
Will reciting praises to buddhas also be able to fulfill our wishes as stated?
Thank you very much.
Dear Ray,
Thank you for your question. As I am sure you are aware, there are many different types of prayers. Praises are one type of prayer, or commonly included in longer prayers. When we praise the enlightened beings, we generate merit. This is due to the power of the enlightened beings.
Generally speaking these prayers are praises of the qualities of either the enlightened being’s body, speech, mind or benefits derived from their practices. Or the praise can be a combination of these.
The merit generated from praising an enlightened being is immense. Some prayers even have the power to grant certain specific benefits due to the merits generated from the praise. Hence, some prayers even have the benefits listed in them.
So yes, if you recite the praise with strong faith and refuge in the particular enlightened being, you will generate merit which will help to achieve the benefits stated.
On a normal level, you will receive the benefits. On a higher level, you create the merit to achieve the same body, speech, mind and qualities of the enlightened being, meaning you create the causes to be enlightened yourself. I hope this helps.