In the late Ming dynasty, Master Ou-i (1561-1626) had many experiences, but none came from meditation. All came from reading sutras. Once, in fact, he was writing a commentary on a sutra when suddenly, wisdom welled up within him. He wrote things that he had not originally intended, and it all came out spontaneously.

Reading as well as writing can lead to enlightenment, but of course, it depends on what you're reading and writing. Reading sutras without having thoughts in your mind, without analyzing their meaning, can lead to enlightenment. Do you think reading a best-seller or the comics, or writing a letter to a loved one can lead to similar experiences? It's highly doubtful. At those times, you are not in the right state of mind. Also, when you read sutras, each word and phrase is like a key which enables you to sink deeper into practice.

Mantras are different. Reciting mantras helps to calm and focus the mind. A certain amount of power can be generated from reciting a mantra as well as from reciting a sutra. But can reciting mantras alone and exclusively lead to enlightenment? The Ch'an school does not support this belief.

STUDENT:

Where does the power of the mantra come from? Do the actual words have power, or does power manifest from repeating the mantra over and over again?

SHIH-FU:

Both. The mantra is a symbol. It represents a Buddha's or bodhisattva's power, and therefore the mantra itself has power. In this sense, the power comes from the sound of the mantra. Also, people who single-mindedly recite the mantra can generate power from within, even if they have no intention of doing so.

STUDENT:

Must the mantras be recited in Sanskrit?