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 100,000 times of the Great Compassion Mantra and Heart Sutra, as the spiritual energy will be especially powerful.
- Do not make a vow to recite 10,000 times of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance. 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 triggering off karmic obstacles). Recite in accordance with the recommended number of daily recitation. 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 100,000 times of the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra. You may only make vows to recite the scripture in batches of 10,000 times.
- When you make a vow to recite 100,000 times of a particular Buddhist scripture, 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 the recitation be counted under the vow separately. For example, if you have made a vow to recite 100,000 times of a particular short mantra, e.g., 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 100,000 times of a particular Buddhist scripture 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 yourself 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 100,000 times (and above) of the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots 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 100,000 times of the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots 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.) The vow to recite 100,000 times of the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots could also help children who do not like to study. Pray to resolve the karmic knots for the child, protect and bless them so that they may gain wisdom and improve in his studies.
- After making a vow to recite 100,000 times of a Buddhist scripture, you may perform the recitation without limit each 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 under the vow 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 triggering off karmic obstacles when one makes a vow to recite 100,000 times of a Buddhist scripture. 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 run the risk of shouldering the karmic obstacles of others when you state prayers on their behalf. For example, children may make a vow to recite 100,000 times of the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots on behalf of their elders to resolve issues regarding dementia. If the elder has already begun to show signs of dementia, the children may suffer from dementia themselves, as a result of shouldering hefty karmic debts. Hence, it is important that one must only perform according to one’s ability.
- Generally, most people could make this vow, including children, pregnant women, and those suffering from serious illnesses. As long as the recitation is performed sincerely, it will be efficacious.
- You may also make a vow to recite 100,000 times of Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s holy name. However, the spiritual power derived from a vow to recite a particular Buddhist scripture is greater.