ON ABOKYA BEIROSHANŌ MAKABODARA MANIHANDOMA JIMBARA HARABARITAYA UN
The mantra above, the Kōmyō Shingon (光明真言 - Light Mantra) is one of the most common elements of Shingon services and liturgies used on the Henro. In addition, it's one that's long been considered appropriate for practice both by lay and ordained people. Shinnen, the 17th-century author of an influential guidebook on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, recommends this as one of the central prayers of his simple prayer routine for pilgrims.
Walking the pilgrimage, you may also notice stone monuments engraved with "One Million Recitations of the Light Mantra (光明真言百万遍). These stones, most of which date from the Edo to the Meiji Period (17th-20th centuries), were often the collaborative efforts of Practice Groups (講). The names of the participants and sometimes even the number of their individual recitations are listed on the back, a testament to the faith of the participants.
But what does the mantra mean? Why has it been so special to people for so many hundreds of years?
Below you'll find a translation of "the Hymn of the Light Mantra" (光明真言和讃 - Kōmyō Shingon Wasan), a Japanese poem from the medieval period. It was composed, like other such hymns of the time, to provide Buddhist teachings in a pithy, memorable way that was accessible to normal people. As such, it still serves as a wonderful introduction to the mantra's meaning and gives some clue as to its depth and the reason for its special place within the Shingon tradition.
The Hymn of the Light Mantra
I take refuge in the Radiant One,
The Consecrating Light Mantra,
Its twenty-three letters a maṇḍala
Of benefit beyond compare.
"Oṃ" seals an endless offering
To every enlightened Being.
"Amogha" is our karmic tie
To the Teacher, Shakyamuni.
The Radiant One, "Vairocana,"
Whose Great Light shines upon the world
Holds all merit to himself
And is Shingon's most Honored One.
"Mahāmudrā" is Akshobya;
Between Buddhas and us there is no difference.
The old and young all join as one
And swiftly gain Awakening.
"Maṇi" is the Precious Gem,
Bringing every wish to pass
By the mind of unlimited joy and life,
The one called Ratnasambhava.
"Padma," Lotus Amitābha
Who washes off our every stain.
Eternally unmarked by filth,
The lotus dais blooms fragrantly.
Intoning "jvāla" wisdom light
Clears the mist of ignorance.
"Pravarttaya" is to swiftly
Wield Buddhas' powers as our own.
And oh! the single letter “hūṃ,”
Rends asunder every hindrance.
Unending joy, eternal ease
In the Secret-Splendor Buddha Land.
You'll notice that syllables introduced in each stanza differ slightly from the ones in the mantra at the beginning of the article. This is because over time, pronunciation of Sanskrit shifted as people in Japan used the mantras. I've provided the Sanskrit syllables in the poem to make it easier for you to use them to do more research, but I personally chant the pronunciation used in Japan, since that's what I've been taught by my teachers.
Inspired by the efforts of past practice groups, I decided to start an international Kōmyō Shingon practice group called One Million Lights. Anyone interested in incorporating this mantra into their practice and joining their efforts with others is welcome to participate.
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