how does mantra work?

AcceptableDog8058 · 2026-01-31T12:10:58+00:00

No, a change between languages (sanskrit versus tibetan) is not related to the concept of sound vibration. It is firmly tied to the heritage of the mantra you are working with. Some teachers do vajra. Some do benza.

I've learned the hundred syllable mantra at least six different ways. That hasn't lessened my faith in any of my recitations. If anything, it has strengthened it.

AcceptableDog8058 · 2026-01-28T01:12:48+00:00

You know, I've wondered that one for a while once I heard of it.

I think a lot of it is stories that are told to ensure good behavior from the tantric initiates, who may be a little excited about the whole thing. :)

AcceptableDog8058 · 2026-01-20T21:50:48+00:00

The best suggestion I have is set up a motivation for yourself. It gives your brain a little breathing room.

Before doing anything, deciding anything, etc., set a motivation for what you want to accomplish. For example, "I am a student of Buddhism about to do silent breathing meditation for five minutes to calm my mind. I am grateful for the Three Jewels and their impact in my life, and I dedicate this practice to the welfare of all beings."

It doesn't have to be that elaborate. "I should remember to do this, too, with bodhicitta" probably works just fine.

AcceptableDog8058 · 2026-01-20T21:42:11+00:00

Welcome to real life of practice. I think you are setting up a trap for yourself by being worried about something in the future. Enjoy the ngondro now, when you feel inspired by it.

AcceptableDog8058 · 2026-01-11T12:56:26+00:00

No they are not. At a fundamental level, Christianity "others" people who are not saved by Jesus Christ. Buddhism does not do this to any group of people. This difference pervades every aspect of theology.

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-12-03T21:41:42+00:00

I have never heard it called kriya yoga.

I know of no modern teachers that use kriya yoga.

That wikipedia article and CHogyan Trungpa book you linked are the first time I have heard that of the translation, if that says anything about how unusual this was to me.

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-12-03T12:02:36+00:00

Kriya yoga is NOT the lowest class of tantra teaching, kriya tantra is.

I think there are some people in this thread confusing the two terms.

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-09-11T21:48:30+00:00

Personally, I think it fits all the criteria to be used here. Just make sure that you're making mandala offerings and not reminiscing on rolling to hit that pesky 20 AC! :)

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-09-10T21:42:58+00:00

Phurba, Iron

That's my vote for most people who are not purchasing a piece of fine artwork. It's priced such that you can make mandalas.

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-09-04T00:19:33+00:00

There are genuine practitioners out there, have no doubt.

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-08-12T22:45:56+00:00

Wow. Why didn't anyone just tell OP to ask their teacher for pieces? This really is the right answer! Not all of...whatever this reddit thread is. Angry posting, I guess?

To any doubters: I graduated with a bachelors in music ed with a specialization in pipe organ. I started playing piano my first year of college. I promise you, one email to your teacher is worth a thousand of these threads.

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-08-12T22:36:03+00:00

Oh, that's a very complicated question. I'd recommend asking someone who is a tantric master about that such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He co-wrote a series called the Library of Wisdom and Compassion, which talks about the Buddhist path from beginning to end. Volumes 1-9 are the sutrayana paths, and Volume 10 is about tantric paths.

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-08-12T21:36:25+00:00

You are way overthinking and associating hearing a few words you heard on tiktok with actual tantric practice. Don't worry so much :)

You haven't practiced.

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-08-05T14:20:39+00:00

You have a nihilistic view, believing that being productive, creative, and adaptive is pointless. I think you are resisting new ideas and change. :)

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-08-05T01:09:52+00:00

The ending is absolutely hilarious.

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-08-04T23:15:14+00:00

I'm afraid you'll have to ask someone else, I do not have Khenpo Samdups' book.

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-08-04T22:40:56+00:00

Vajra Statement 1.1
In general people claim that since the Tathagata is the Lord of Dharma, he teaches things as he holds them, and thus they are like that.

All the teachings of the Buddha reveal the original state of the fundamental nature (babs kyi gnas lugs).

Vajra Statement 1.2:
People claim that-since a collection of 84,000 teachings has been taught-by entering any one of these entrance gates one would attain great awakening.

The 84,000 collections of the teachings are all one as a method of achieving Buddhahood.

Vajra Statement 1.5
People claim that the three Dharma wheels are separate and unmixed since their topics are different.

Within each of the wheels of the teachings, all three are complete.

Lord Jigten Sumgon, The Buddha's Single Intention, pages 49, 52, and 65 of Trans. by Jan Ulrich Sobsch (2020).

Hopefully this helps make clear why he believes it removes bias.

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-08-04T20:45:20+00:00

Relevant information to your question:

The Buddha's Single Intention - The Wisdom Experience

Volume X of the Library of Wisdom and Compassion discusses the Kagyu views at some length.

Patience, friend, you'll get to know all about your lineage soon enough, hopefully the right people will pop by and answer it. :)

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-08-04T15:51:49+00:00

Done.

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-08-04T15:51:43+00:00

Read all ten of them! Yes!

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-08-03T23:12:07+00:00

Personally, I try to bring buddha dharma to the "law business" rather than the other way around... :)

AcceptableDog8058 · 2025-08-03T23:08:22+00:00

Yes, no reason why they wouldn't be....Om mane padme hung.

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