Dear Y.E.S.S.,
I go to temple with my family but I do not like to chant. I feel it is boring and I do not understand it. When I tell my parents that it is boring they tell me to keep trying because it will give me faith but all I ever feel is bothered that I have to chant. Do you think that I need to chant to be Buddhist? What is the reason and purpose for chanting of sutra?
Dear Not A Happy Chanter,
I do not believe that you must chant to be a Buddhist. However, the sutra chanting is one of the most important practices. The word Asutra@ is a Sanskrit word and literary means Athread@. It refers to words of Shakyamuni Buddha, founder of Buddhism, and it conveys the teachings of the Buddha. It is encouraged that you try to understand the words of sutra and practice the chanting because this is your religion, and the teachings are for you and you alone. English translation is available at our temple.
The purpose of chanting is to receive the teachings of the Buddha while showing an expression of one=s sincere gratitude to the Buddha. It is also to praise aloud the virtues of Buddha with one=s innermost heart. In the Pure Land Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha expounds the significance of the Nembutsu to his disciples who are seated before him. When we sit and chant the sutra, we should feel as if we are attending a gathering and listening to the teachings of the Buddha. As you chant try to contemplate that you are there with Buddha and that the teachings are just for you. It may help you to not feel bored or bothered if you remember that you are such a special person, that the Buddha would deliver you the teachings directly to you.