In Buddhism, prayer is a practice that is intended to awaken the inherent inner capacities of strength, compassion, and wisdom of the practitioner.
Unlike petitionary prayers that are based on fear, idolization, or worldly gain, Buddhist prayers serve as a form of meditation and inner reconditioning. Rather than asking an external force for favors, Buddhist prayer is about connecting with one's own inner potential.
There are three basic types of Buddhist prayer: Mantras, Sutras, and the visualization of deities.
Mantras are short but powerful phrases or syllables with specific meanings. Repeating a mantra helps to focus the mind, purify negative emotions, and invoke blessings. Besides Buddhism, mantras are also used in Hinduism, Jainism, and Hare Krishna traditions.
The recitation of Sutras is another form of Buddhist prayer. These Sutras contain teachings attributed to the Buddha and other enlightened beings. By reciting the Sutras, practitioners connect with the wisdom and compassion expressed in these texts. Sutras are also practiced in Hinduism and Jainism.
In some Buddhist practices, practitioners visualize enlightened beings, such as Buddhas or bodhisattvas, and aspire to embody their qualities. Visualization serves as a form of prayer, inspiring practitioners to cultivate compassion, patience, and other positive qualities.
Physical gestures, like prostration, are often used in prayer to express reverence and humility. Prostrating to Buddhas, bodhisattvas, or sacred objects symbolizes the Buddhist's respect and desire to follow their example. At other times, silent meditation or contemplation on specific qualities, such as compassion, can be a powerful form of prayer, as it involves turning inward and connecting with the inner potential. Buddhists make offerings of incense, flowers, candles, and other symbolic items, representing the practitioner's generosity and devotion.
Various Buddhist traditions differ somewhat in form and emphasis. In Theravada, prayer often involves reciting Pali scriptures and paying homage to Buddha. Monks and laypeople engage in meditation and chanting. Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes compassion and aspiration to become a bodhisattva. Mahayana devotional practices include chanting sutras, reciting mantras, and visualizing enlightened beings. Zen practitioners focus on direct experience and meditation. Formal prayers are minimal, and silent contemplation is emphasized. Pure Land devotees chant the name of Amitabha Buddha, aspiring to be reborn in his Pure Land. Nichiren Buddhists chant the mantra "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" as a central practice. Practitioners of Northern Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism) tend to engage in elaborate rituals, including mantra recitation, visualization, and offerings. Bon is the indigenous relation of Tibet. Bon prayers involve rituals, offerings, and invocations to spirits and deities.
A Buddhist prayer wheel is installed on a spindle made from metal, wood, stone, leather, or coarse cotton. Prayer wheels are common in Tibet and other areas where Tibetan culture is predominant. Traditionally, a mantra is written in Ranjana or Tibetan script on the outside of the wheel. According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, spinning a prayer wheel will have much the same meritorious effect as orally reciting the prayers.
Buddhist prayer isn't about asking for external intervention; it's about awakening inner potential and aligning actions with wisdom and compassion.
This portion of our web guide focuses on Buddhist prayer.
Recommended Resources
Buddha Weekly: An Introduction to Buddhist Prayer
Buddha Weekly is a non-profit association dedicated to freeing Buddha Dharma education and spreading the Dharma. In Western countries, people don't usually associate Buddhism and prayer, viewing Buddhism as a tradition that teaches quiet sitting meditation. It is that, but Buddhism also has a great deal of prayer. The nature and types of prayer in Buddhism are highlighted, along with the benefits to be found in prayer and the possibility of benefiting others through prayer.
https://buddhaweekly.com/what-is-buddhist-prayer-a-wish-an-activity-an-aspiration-an-act-of-love-a-form-of-meditation/
Jeff Lindquist is a microfilm expert with over forty years of experience who uses his talents to bring Buddhist sutras and mantras to microfilm so they can be used in prayer wheels, statues, stupas, and other Buddhist artwork. Several microfilms are available for purchase online. Directions are presented, including information on how to fill a prayer wheel, the benefit of making prayer wheels, and an overview of Buddhist mantras. An online contact form is available.
https://www.buddhistmicrofilmmantras.com/
Built according to traditional Tibetan Buddhist specifications and made in accordance with the instructions of the Venerable Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the prayer wheels are also known as Mani wheels. They contain millions and even billions of the Tibetan Buddhist mantra, "Om Mani Padme Hung," carefully reproduced on microfilm to allow a large number of mantras to fit inside each prayer wheel. Each wheel is handmade from black walnut hardwood and includes stainless steel bearings.
https://www.heartwoodprayerwheels.com/
Mönlam is a Buddhist prayer. The term means "wish-path," the Buddhist path of helping others through kind prayers. Buddhist prayers are performed daily at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery in Boudhanath, Kathmandu, where about 500 monks are, and at Nagi Nunnery on Shivapuri Hill, where about 200 nuns are. Buddhists have always relied on the power of prayers chanted by monks and nuns. They develop great compassion and deep wisdom through years of study, contemplation, and meditation.
https://monlam.org/
Monk Mala is a Thailand-based provider of real and authentic 108 Mala beads, Monk beads, and Buddhist prayer beads and necklaces. Monks bless these beads for use in Japa meditation and personal protection when worn as a Buddhist necklace. Informational articles about their use are provided, and an online catalog features its Buddhist prayer beads, Buddhist Mala beads, and Yoga beads necklace. Each of these includes a certificate of authenticity and a Thai silk bag, included for free.
https://monkmala.com/
New Kadampa Tradition: Prayers for Meditation
This section of the website features several Buddhist prayers for meditation, compled from traditional sources by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. It is owned and managed by New Kadampa Tradition, International Kadampa Buddhist Union, an international association of Mahayana Buddhist study and meditation centers. Information about Buddha, Dharma, Tantra, and Buddhist art is available in English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and a glossary of Buddhist terms.
https://kadampa.org/buddhism/prayers-for-meditation
Spiritual Life, The: Buddhist Prayers
Hosted on the website for The Spiritual Life LLC, a for-profit organization with an interfaith, non-profit mission. Buddhism is the world's fourth-largest religion, encompassing various traditions, beliefs, and practices. Its collection of Buddhist prayers includes the Golden Chain Prayer, Traditional Buddhist Prayer, Tibetan Dying Prayer, Buddhist Prayer for Peace, Praise to Buddha Shakyamuni, Traditional Buddhist Blessing and Healing Chant, Meal Time Prayer, and others.
https://slife.org/buddhist-prayers/
This portion of the website highlights the words of Buddha from the 6th century BC and features Buddhist prayers, including the Bodhisattva Prayer for Humanity, Offering the Mandala, Harmony, Giving to Those in Need, Prayer for Youth, and An Invocation of Metta/Compassion. Other sections of the site cover topics such as contemplation, wisdom, and Dhammapada. An online form allows readers to submit prayer requests, questions, suggestions, or comments.
https://www.wordsofbuddha.com/prayers
