Question asked by Lee
I have given up mantra chanting. Why is it that I always get negative results after I chant mantras ? Are Buddhas not here to help us when they listen to our cries for help? However I still do virtuous deeds, speech and thoughts because I believe in karma and what we do will come back to us in future. It's just that my belief in the Buddhas is not so strong as before. Any suggestions why this is happening to me ?
Dear Lee,
I am sorry to hear that you have been going through tough times. When we experience difficulties in our life, it is due to our negative karma manifesting. This karma is immeasurable, having been accumulated over many countless lifetimes, and we experience the obstacles because a set of conditions has triggered this negative karma. Sometimes when reciting mantras, negative karma can open up, as mantras are effective in purifying negative karma. When our negative karma manifests however and we experience difficulties, instead of being frustrated or upset, the high lamas teach us to rejoice that this karma is manifesting and therefore we never have to experience it again. What’s more, this negative karma manifests while we are under the protection of our Guru and the Three Jewels, so we do not experience it as severely as we otherwise might have.
For example, if we have the karma to meet with a fatal car accident, perhaps we do get into a car accident. But thanks to the merit accumulated from our mantra recitation (which connects us to the protection of, for example Dorje Shugden), we only walk away with a few cuts and bruises, but we do not die. The karma was there and had to be purified; we would have to experience it in some way and at some point but what is worse, to experience the karma as a minor car accident in this life, or to experience it in our next life where we may be reborn in a hell realm?
Hence relying on the Buddhas and engaging in the recitation of mantras does not mean that our entire life will immediately be free from negative experiences. Relying on the Buddhas means that we learn the methods to stop ourselves from creating futher negative karma, as well as the methods to purify negative karma. One such method is that of mantra recitations which are recommended by the Buddha himself, as well as every other attained master since then. It does not make sense that they would recommend to us any activity that is ultimately harmful to us. The Buddhas are by definition compassionate beings and mantras are actually the energies of the Buddhas in the form of sound. Therefore according to Buddhist logic, the use of mantras can never truly harm you. In fact they will always try to benefit you, but can only do so depending on our karma.
Buddhist practitioners, rather than see difficulties as something negative, actually take these experiences to train the mind to become centred and withstand various circumstances so we can experience personal growth. Therefore in essence, it is not that the Buddhas are not strong any more, but that one’s own negative karma can stop the Buddhas from helping us. Therefore the purification of karma is very important.
I am glad that you believe in karma and so are living virtuously. This is something everyone should aspire to, regardless of the level of conviction they have in the Buddhas. If you would like to start reciting the mantra again, can I suggestion that you recite the mantra of Dorje Shugden: OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA. As Dorje Shugden is a Dharma protector, his energies actually make our life smoother, and significantly lessen the negative effects of our karma. I really hope this short explanation helps.
You may also find this link useful in explaining the purpose and benefits of reciting mantras, to aid in your learning: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/mantras-holy-words-of-power.html.