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Chapter VIII. Mantra in Other Religions
A. Mantras in Christianity, Islam, and other religions
The practice of mantra recitation, while deeply rooted in Eastern traditions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, is not exclusive to these faiths. Many other religions have similar practices that serve comparable purposes. Let’s explore how mantras or mantra-like practices manifest in Christianity, Islam, and other religions.
Christianity:
In Christianity, the use of repetitive prayer or short phrases bears similarities to mantra practice. While not typically referred to as mantras, these practices serve similar spiritual functions:
1. The Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” This short prayer, popular in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, is often repeated continuously as a form of contemplative prayer.
2. Rosary Prayers: In Catholicism, the repetition of prayers like the “Hail Mary” while using rosary beads is a practice that resembles mantra recitation.
3. Taizé Chants: These simple, meditative songs repeated many times are used in the Taizé community and other Christian settings as a form of prayer and meditation.
Islam:
In Islam, the practice of dhikr (remembrance of God) involves the repetition…
