Question asked by steven
Hello dear pastors and Rinpoche,
Could you please clarify the following:
I recite the Medicine Buddha mantra (short one, not the dharani from the sutra). I have read from various reputed sources, among which lama yeshe and zopa rinpoche, that there appears to be a difference between the benefits between the two or situation in which you should recite either the mantra or the dharani.
I have read the (concise) medicine buddha sutra which lists the reasons why we should pray to Medicine Buddha and some of the benefits of the dharani.
Now my question is, could you please list the benefits of the mantra and dharani and in which situation or for what purposes we could choose between the two?
Referring to a teaching or text, sutra would be most helpful too.
I'm using it for PTSD and sometimes just can't manage to recite a whole mala of the long dharani (also due to excess wind/wind disease after a spiritual breakthrough)
Is it ok to recite both without initiation by the way?
Thanks in advance
Steven
Dear Steven,
Thank you for your question. Even though the dharani is longer than the mantra, the mantra itself contains the very essence of the dharini. The Medicine Buddha Sutra is the best resource to find the benefits of the mantra. This is because the benefits listed in the Sutra are exactly the benefits one receives when reciting either the dharini or the mantra.
In regards to PTSD, recitation of the Medicine Buddha mantra is excellent and will greatly help. Since most people cannot recite the Dharini many time, due to time constraints etc, it is excellent to recite the mantra instead. As mentioned earlier, are in essence the same. In fact mantras themselves are the enlightened Buddhas in the form of sound. As long as you know and think that by reciting the mantra you are also reciting the dharini and have faith, the effects will be exactly the same.
If you recite the mantra, you should supplement the practice by making offerings, engage in purification practices, engage in merit generating activities, and transform your mind to become a better person. When you engage in these, the efficacy of the mantra is increased manifold and will create a greater impact in your life. I hope this helps. Please do not hesitate to ask more.
Thank you.