Q: Master Lu has mentioned that if we wish to make a vow to recite 100,000 times of a particular Buddhist scripture, the effects will be especially good. May I ask which Buddhist scriptures may be considered for such a vow? How should we perform and count the recitation, and how do we state our prayers?
A:
You may make a vow to recite 100,000 times of the following Buddhist scriptures: the Great Compassion Mantra, the Heart Sutra, the Qi Fo Mie Zui Zhen Yan, the Xiao Zai Ji Xiang Shen Zhou, the Cundi Dharani, and the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots. Among these scriptures, it is recommended to make a vow to recite the Great Compassion Mantra and Heart Sutra 100,000 times, respectively, as the spiritual energy will be especially powerful.
Do not make a vow to recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance 10,000 times. If you encounter a serious situation that requires you to repent, you may make vows to recite the scripture in batches of 108 times (unless under special circumstances, it is not recommended to make a vow to recite this scripture in large quantities to prevent activating karmic obstacles). Recite in accordance with the recommended number of daily recitations. For example, one should not recite more than 7 times on a normal day, and should not exceed the recommended number of recitations on special days (please refer to Q&A 161. Reciting the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance on special days and Buddhist commemorative days).
Do not make a vow to recite the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra 100,000 times. You may only make vows to recite the scripture in batches of 10,000 times.
When you make a vow to recite a particular Buddhist scripture 100,000 times, it is best not to count these recitations as part of the daily recitation, Self-Cultivation Record Forms, or Little Houses. It is recommended that you make a separate vow and count the number of recitations separately. For example, if you have made a vow to recite a particular short mantra 100,000 times, e.g. the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots to resolve karmic conflicts with your spouse and you have been making this prayer in your daily recitation, then you may combine your daily recitation with the vow to recite 100,000 times of the said mantra. If the prayer for their daily recitation differs from that of the vow, the recitations should be performed separately.
The vow to recite a particular Buddhist scripture 100,000 times must be made before a Buddhist altar. State a deadline and corresponding prayer in front of the Bodhisattva. For instance, you may pray to gain wisdom when making a vow to recite the Heart Sutra; pray for good health when making a vow to recite the Great Compassion Mantra; pray for elimination of karmic obstacles when reciting the Qi Fo Mie Zui Zhen Yan; pray for a certain situation to proceed smoothly when reciting the Cundi Dharani; pray for the resolution of karmic conflicts between you and another party, or pray to resolve your personal karmic conflicts in general when reciting the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots.
The effects of reciting the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots 100,000 times (and above) are immense. You may pray to alleviate various types of chronic illnesses, intractable and complicated diseases such as dementia. People of all ages may recite this to treat or prevent any illnesses. You may pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva or Nanjing Bodhisattva. Nanjing Bodhisattva specialises in treating illnesses and Guan Yin Bodhisattva blesses us with compassion and protection. You may also make a vow to recite the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots 100,000 times to resolve the “3, 6, 9” karmic calamities (that is, predestined hardships or even calamites when the last digit of our age ends with a 3, 6 or 9.) It can also help children who do not like studying. You can pray to the Bodhisattva to protect and bless the child, resolving their karmic knots, granting them wisdom, and helping them improve academic performance.
After making a vow to recite a Buddhist scripture 100,000 times, there is no limit to the number of recitations you can do per day. With a vow to recite the Great Compassion Mantra or the Heart Sutra, for example, after completing your daily recitation, you may continue reciting these Buddhist scriptures as many times as you like.
You must keep track of the number of recitations performed. Once you have completed the recitation, you must keep the Bodhisattva informed about it.
Generally, there is no risk of activating karmic obstacles when one makes a vow to recite a Buddhist scripture 100,000 times. Hence, it is not necessary to complement the vow with Little Houses.
You may also make a vow to recite a large number of Buddhist scriptures for your family members, after which, you may recite the scripture for an unlimited number of times each day. You must keep track of the number of recitations performed for the respective family members. However, you may risk bearing the burden of others’ karma when you pray on their behalf. For example, a person may make a vow to recite the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots 100,000 times on behalf of their parent to resolve problems such as dementia. If the parent is about to show signs of dementia, this person is likely to suffer from dementia themselves, too. This would lead the person to bear the burden of hefty karmic debts. Therefore, it is important that you must act according to your ability.
Most people could make this kind of vow, including children, pregnant women, and those suffering from serious illnesses. As long as the recitation is performed sincerely, it will be effective.
You may also make a vow to recite the holy name of Guan Yin Bodhisattva 100,000 times. However, the spiritual power derived from the vow to recite a particular Buddhist scripture is greater.
发表于 2021-9-5 15:20:17