A Complete and Detailed Exposition on the True Buddha Tantric Dharma

By Living Buddha Sheng-yen Lu
Translated by Janny Chow

Reciting the Purification Mantras

       At the beginning of the practice, one recites the Purification Mantras to purify one's speech, body, and mind: "Om, syo-lee, syo-lee, ma-ha syo-lee, syo-syo-lee, so-ha," "Om, syo-do-lee, syo-do-lee, syo-mo-lee, syo-mo-lee, so-ha," and "Om, fo ri la dam, ho ho hum." One also recites the Local Earth Spirit Mantra, "Namo sam-man-do, moo-toh-nam, om, do-lo do-lo de-wei, so-ha" to invite all earth spirits to come and guard and support one during the practice. Question has been raised as to whether these mantras need to be accompanied by mudras and visualizations. Actually in Tantric rituals, mantras are, indeed, often recited simultaneously with mudras and visualizations. This is referred to as the Unification of the Three Secrets. 
        In our school, the recitation of the Purification Mantras, is done without any mudras or visualizations because, prior to the chanting of the Purification Mantras, one already has purified the body, mind, and speech. By taking ablution and consuming only a simple meal, one has already purified the body. By rinsing one's mouth and brushing one's teeth, one has already purified the speech. By leaving worries, wrath, and turbulent thoughts at the door of the Tantric shrine, one has already prepared and purified one's mind. Therefore, when one actually enters the Tantric shrine, the body and mind are completely relaxed, and the mind does not harbor any thoughts. 
        At the end of each complete step (the recitation of the Purification Mantras is considered as one complete step), one may ring the bell to signify its completion.