Ten Small Mantras
Mantra: Ten Small Mantras
Ten Small Mantras are ten short mantras that are typically recited in morning recitation at Budhism temples. Each mantra has its function, and it is recited for receiving merits and protection from Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and other Devas.
Mantra 1, “Wish Fulfilling Wheel Turning Dharani”, is recited to provide wealth, cure illness and prevent disasters for the practitioners. This mantra comes from one of Guan Yin’s manifestations, Wish Fulfilling Guan Yin. This form is usually associated with holding a wheel and a wish fulfilling jewel in hands. In Buddhism, a wheel is often used to signify the Dharma. By turning the wheel, it symbolizes that one is setting the wheel of law in motion.
Mantra 2, “Quelling Calamity and Bringing Auspicious Good Will Spiritual Mantra”, can prevent practitioners from calamities and misfortunes, so Buddhists can focus in their cultivation.
Mantra 3, “Meritorious Precious Mountain Mantra”, helps practitioners accumulate positive karma, virtue and merit, as well as eliminate obstacles and negative karma. This is a powerful mantra that can help those who have little merit.
Mantra 4, “Great Cundi-Durgha Spiritual Mantra”, is a mantra from Cundi, and she is recognized as one of the many forms of Guan Yin, the Bodhisattva of compassion. “Cundi” represents the “Supreme Purity”. Chanting this mantra purifies negative karma, which helps practitioners find their true nature and develop Samadhi.
Mantra 5, “Holy and Infinite Life Illuminating Light King Dharani”, is recited for a life with wisdom.
Mantra 6, “Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Radiant Tathagata Consecration True Words”, or “Medicine Master Mantra”, is found in the “Sutra of the Original Vows of Seven Medicine Buddhas”. This mantra is proclaimed by Medicine Master and King of Lapis Lazuli Light, the seventh Medicine Buddha, after he has pronounced his twelve great vows. This mantra is used to help patients with physical or mental illnesses.
Mantra 7, “Noble Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Response Eliciting True Words”, helps practitioner to learn Avalokitesvara’s efficacious ear Dharma and receive boundless magical responses.
Mantra 8, “Seven Buddhas Blame Dispersing True Words”, helps Buddhists to eliminate karmic obstacles due to negative karmas. For major karmic obstacles, it is best to recite “Eighty-eight Buddhas Great Repentance”.
Mantra 9, “Pure Land Rebirth Spiritual Mantra”, is associated with Amitabha Buddha, and it is a mantra asking for rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Amitabha. This mantra is usually recited three times after chanting “Buddha Speaks of Amitabha Sutra” or “Heart of Prajna Paramita Sutra”.
Mantra 10, “Virtuous Goddess Mantra”, helps Buddhists to solve their basic survival need, so that they will not be distracted by the outside conditions during practicing Buddhism. By chanting this wonderful mantra, one will accumulate abundance of shells, gold, jewels, wealth, grain, medicine, healing substances, tools, provisions, necessities, ease and happiness.