variations of 100 syllable mantra and meaning?

[Alastair]

Hey

I'm a bit confused. As a child I learned the 100 syllable mantra by heart, not how to write it, only how to say it. when I google it now, there are so many different versions of it an none that is exactly like the one I learned. Why? Is mine wrong?

I say it like this:

[Unfortunately publishing this mantra is not appropriate at DW.]

also, can someone recommend me a good translation or explanation what it means?
Someone (a buddhist) told me the [XXX] part is in fact meant as laughing is that true? My athiest boyfriend is always very amused about that part when he hears me saying it

thank you!

[Ayu]

I know at least four different variations in my (one single) tradition. They differ throughout the various sadhanas and especially different teachers. It seems to me like that strongly.
I stick to different variations dependent on which diety/sadhana I am performing.

Don't be confused. There is no single right form.

[Ayu]

If you need to mention the mantra or parts of it, please take refuge in PM.

[pemachophel]

What Ayu said.

[White Sakura]

Here is said, that only the ... symbolizes laughter:

https://www.bodhicittasangha.org

[Danny]

Here is said, that only the ... symbolizes laughter:

https://www.bodhicittasangha.org

Nope.

[Alastair]

thanks everybody!

why is the vajrasattva mantra top secret? It's all over the internet!

[Charlie123]

thanks everybody!

why is the vajrasattva mantra top secret? It's all over the internet!

It is something that comes from the tantras, not the sutras. It cannot be practiced without some sort of transmission or empowerment. There are many mantras and images “all over the internet” that are really supposed to be secret.

[Ayu]

Yes.
I think, it is a form of respect towards the teacher-student-relationship that we do not publish secret tantra materials at DW. If anybody talks about it freely elsewhere on the internet, it's their decision.

And I think, it's a big difference, if a lama publishes certain mantras on his website or random people on the internet chat about mantras. The former takes the responsibility and knows what he's talking about exactly. The latter can lead to total confusion in worst case.

[lelopa]

Yes.
I think, it is a form of respect towards the teacher-student-relationship that we do not publish secret tantra materials at DW. If anybody talks about it freely elsewhere on the internet, it's their decision.

And I think, it's a big difference, if a lama publishes certain mantras on his website or random people on the internet chat about mantras. The former takes the responsibility and knows what he's talking about exactly. The latter can lead to total confusion in worst case.

I think I understand partly....
but maybe deleting some parts of questions & answers, etc., or do not answering at all could also lead to confusion,
or let the confusion being unresolved...

[Ayu]

Yes.
I think, it is a form of respect towards the teacher-student-relationship that we do not publish secret tantra materials at DW. If anybody talks about it freely elsewhere on the internet, it's their decision.

And I think, it's a big difference, if a lama publishes certain mantras on his website or random people on the internet chat about mantras. The former takes the responsibility and knows what he's talking about exactly. The latter can lead to total confusion in worst case.

I think I understand partly....
but maybe deleting some parts of questions & answers, etc., or do not answering at all could also lead to confusion,
or let the confusion being unresolved...

My point was not to recommend never asking but not discussing certain topics on the internet.
I deleted nothing else than the mantra, because it is again and again being critisized harshly to publish it here.

I would apprechiate, if those people who stand for this rule rigorously would come up and explain their view as well.

[kirtu]

I'm a bit confused. As a child I learned the 100 syllable mantra by heart, not how to write it, only how to say it. when I google it now, there are so many different versions of it an none that is exactly like the one I learned. Why? Is mine wrong?

There are variations between traditions and as Ayu noted even between teachers sometimes. However there is a common recitation (that nonetheless can differ between traditions mostly at the end). Normally this version is found in ngondro.


However, the Vajrasattva mantra structure is repeated in different tantras for different deities for purification. These are the Five Dhayani Buddhas (so there is a Vajrasattva structured purification mantra for each of the Five Dhyani Buddhas) but this also exists for some of the "heavy power" yidams. I don't know if this exists for all the yidams though. And it's possible that this is also a lineage thing.

also, can someone recommend me a good translation or explanation what it means?

Interestingly I asked one of my lamas this question once. To my surprise and the evident shock of everyone else in the room (several monastics), he began going through the mantra and explained all of it. So ask your lama. In the Nyingma tradition there is at least one text that does the same and I had seen that text (which is why I asked my lama [from another tradition]).

Someone (a buddhist) told me the [XXX] part is in fact meant as laughing is that true? My athiest boyfriend is always very amused about that part when he hears me saying it

The short answer is yes. But imagine what that means. This is after all the Buddha of Purification. We could use terms like "emptiness roar", etc.

Kirt

[lelopa]

.

[lelopa]

................
.................

I would apprechiate, if those people who stand for this rule rigorously would come up and explain their view as well.

Me too

[kirtu]

I'm a bit confused. As a child I learned the 100 syllable mantra by heart, not how to write it, only how to say it. when I google it now, there are so many different versions of it an none that is exactly like the one I learned. Why? Is mine wrong?

I forgot to mention that variations in the Vajrasattva mantra can also be due to differences in the Vajrasattva form - so variations are due not only to lineage, etc.

Kirt

[Danny]

I'm a bit confused. As a child I learned the 100 syllable mantra by heart, not how to write it, only how to say it. when I google it now, there are so many different versions of it an none that is exactly like the one I learned. Why? Is mine wrong?

I forgot to mention that variations in the Vajrasattva mantra can also be due to differences in the Vajrasattva form - so variations are due not only to lineage, etc.

Kirt

Yes, but the intent is more important than the intellectual understanding
as a natural expression.
The 100 syllable mantra is for purification and forgiving mistakes made in practice. In that regard one naturally, because of one’s sincerity of practice, contracts to knowing it’s real function,
and naturally will find its organic beauty, with time, and once understood knows it’s timeless.

Also purifies the karmic connections with the dead and all living things.
Homage to the Supreme Dorje Sempa.
: )

Encourage those without to receive dorje sempa empowerment.

[Ayu]

................
.................

I would apprechiate, if those people who stand for this rule rigorously would come up and explain their view as well.

Me too

At least finally I found the paragraph in the ToS :

Terms of Service wrote:
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[karmanyingpo]

I'm a bit confused. As a child I learned the 100 syllable mantra by heart, not how to write it, only how to say it. when I google it now, there are so many different versions of it an none that is exactly like the one I learned. Why? Is mine wrong?

There are variations between traditions and as Ayu noted even between teachers sometimes. However there is a common recitation (that nonetheless can differ between traditions mostly at the end). Normally this version is found in ngondro.


However, the Vajrasattva mantra structure is repeated in different tantras for different deities for purification. These are the Five Dhayani Buddhas (so there is a Vajrasattva structured purification mantra for each of the Five Dhyani Buddhas) but this also exists for some of the "heavy power" yidams. I don't know if this exists for all the yidams though. And it's possible that this is also a lineage thing.

also, can someone recommend me a good translation or explanation what it means?

Interestingly I asked one of my lamas this question once. To my surprise and the evident shock of everyone else in the room (several monastics), he began going through the mantra and explained all of it. So ask your lama. In the Nyingma tradition there is at least one text that does the same and I had seen that text (which is why I asked my lama [from another tradition]).

Someone (a buddhist) told me the [XXX] part is in fact meant as laughing is that true? My athiest boyfriend is always very amused about that part when he hears me saying it

The short answer is yes. But imagine what that means. This is after all the Buddha of Purification. We could use terms like "emptiness roar", etc.

Kirt

Funny story! Why were the monks/nuns surprised? You mentioned that i was a Nyingma text you read that explained the mantra -- were they maybe shocked because their own school doesn't have as strong of a tradition of dissecting the meaning of the mantra?

[karmanyingpo]

thanks everybody!

why is the vajrasattva mantra top secret? It's all over the internet!

It is something that comes from the tantras, not the sutras. It cannot be practiced without some sort of transmission or empowerment. There are many mantras and images “all over the internet” that are really supposed to be secret.

Hi Charlie123, I thought that at least one Vajrasattva practice was open? I tried really hard to dig up the name of the author just now but couldn't find it.

[GrapeLover]

thanks everybody!

why is the vajrasattva mantra top secret? It's all over the internet!

It is something that comes from the tantras, not the sutras. It cannot be practiced without some sort of transmission or empowerment. There are many mantras and images “all over the internet” that are really supposed to be secret.

Hi Charlie123, I thought that at least one Vajrasattva practice was open? I tried really hard to dig up the name of the author just now but couldn't find it.

Maybe Jigme Phuntsok’s pure vision practice as elaborated by Khenpo Sodargye in “Vajrasattva Meditation”.