Japa is a spiritual discipline involving the meditative repetition of a
mantraFor secular and business interpretation, see Motto.A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that are considered capable of "creating transformation"...
or name of
GodGod is a deity in theistic and deistic religions and other belief systems, representing either the sole deity in monotheism, or a principal deity in polytheism....
. The mantra or
name-Hinduism:Within Hinduism, there are number of names of God which are generally in Sanskrit, each supported by a different tradition within the religion...
may be spoken softly, enough for the practitioner to hear it, or it may be spoken purely within the recitor's mind.
Japa may be performed while sitting in a meditation posture, while performing other activities, or as part of formal worship in group settings. The practice of repetitive prayer is present in varied forms within most religions in the world, although the religions of India generally give more emphasis to it as a specific discipline.
The Sanskrit word
japa is derived from the root
jap-, meaning "to utter in a low voice, repeat internally, mutter".
In most forms of
japa, the repetitions are counted using a string of beads known as a
japa malaA Japa mala or mala is a set of beads commonly used by Hindus and Buddhists, usually made from 108 beads, though other numbers, usually divisible by 9, are also used. Malas are used for keeping count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra or the name or names of a deity...
.
Japa is a spiritual discipline involving the meditative repetition of a
mantraFor secular and business interpretation, see Motto.A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that are considered capable of "creating transformation"...
or name of
GodGod is a deity in theistic and deistic religions and other belief systems, representing either the sole deity in monotheism, or a principal deity in polytheism....
. The mantra or
name-Hinduism:Within Hinduism, there are number of names of God which are generally in Sanskrit, each supported by a different tradition within the religion...
may be spoken softly, enough for the practitioner to hear it, or it may be spoken purely within the recitor's mind.
Japa may be performed while sitting in a meditation posture, while performing other activities, or as part of formal worship in group settings. The practice of repetitive prayer is present in varied forms within most religions in the world, although the religions of India generally give more emphasis to it as a specific discipline.
Etymology
The Sanskrit word
japa is derived from the root
jap-, meaning "to utter in a low voice, repeat internally, mutter".
Varieties of Japa
In most forms of
japa, the repetitions are counted using a string of beads known as a
japa malaA Japa mala or mala is a set of beads commonly used by Hindus and Buddhists, usually made from 108 beads, though other numbers, usually divisible by 9, are also used. Malas are used for keeping count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra or the name or names of a deity...
. Within
HinduA Hindu is an adherent of Hinduism, a set of religious, philosophical and cultural systems that originated in the Indian subcontinent. The vast body of Hindu scriptures, divided into Śruti and Smriti , lay the foundation of Hindu beliefs which primarily include dhárma, kárma, ahimsa and saṃsāra...
traditions Vaishnava devotees commonly chant on beads made from the Tulsi plant (
Holy BasilOcimum tenuiflorum is an aromatic plant in the family Lamiaceae...
), held as a sacred manifestation of Tulsidevi; whereas Shaivites use
RudrakshaRudraksha is a large evergreen broad-leaved tree whose seed is traditionally used for prayer beads in Hinduism. The seed is borne by several species of Elaeocarpus, with E. ganitrus being the principal species used in the making of a bead chain or mala...
beads. The number of beads in the japa mala is generally 108, which has great significance in both traditions. It is not uncommon for people to wear japa beads around their neck, although some practitioners prefer to carry them in a bead-bag in order to keep them clean.
Independent of all beads or prayer devices, many Hindus will recite mantras, either under their breath or in mental introspection, at any given time of the day. This sort of casual chanting is said to be a way of inspiring reflection on either the
selfThe Ātman is a philosophical term used within Hinduism and Vedanta to identify the soul. It is one's true self beyond identification with the phenomenal reality of worldly existence.-Etymology:The word ātman is connected with the Indo-European root *ēt-men and is cognate with Old English "æþm",...
or
GodIn the Hindu religion, Brahman is the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe. The nature of Brahman is described as transpersonal, personal and impersonal by different...
at all times, thereby attaining a life which, though interrupted by daily chores and concerns, is a constant flow of prayer.
Some
CatholicThe word Catholic is derived from the Greek adjective , meaning "universal". In the context of Christian ecclesiology, it has a rich history and several usages. For some, the term "Catholic Church" refers to the church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, made up of the Latin Rite and the 22...
prayer forms that involve repetition of prayers, such as use of the
RosaryThe Rosary or "garland of roses" is a popular and traditional Roman Catholic devotion. The term denotes both a set of prayer beads and the devotional prayer itself, which combines vocal prayer and meditation...
or one of various
chapletsThe term Chaplet is used commonly to designate Roman Catholic prayer forms which use prayer beads, but are not necessarily related to the Rosary. Some of these chaplets have a strong Marian connotation, others are more directly related to Jesus or the Saints. Chaplets are considered "personal...
, could be classified as forms of
japa, as with other
ChristianA Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic, religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, who Christians believe was the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, and the Son of God.The term "Christian" is also used adjectivally to...
prayer forms (see
HesychasmHesychasm is an eremitic tradition of prayer in the Eastern Orthodox Church, and some other Eastern Churches of the Byzantine Rite, practised by the Hesychast Hesychasm is an eremitic tradition of prayer in the Eastern Orthodox...
). Also Tibetan Buddhists include
japa meditationMeditation is used here as a broad term for practices done by a sole practitioner without much, if any, external aide, often for the purpose of self-transformation...
as a large part of their religious practices.
Aims
The aim, or goal of
japa varies greatly depending on the mantra involved and the religious philosophy of the practitioner. In both Buddhist and
HinduA Hindu is an adherent of Hinduism, a set of religious, philosophical and cultural systems that originated in the Indian subcontinent. The vast body of Hindu scriptures, divided into Śruti and Smriti , lay the foundation of Hindu beliefs which primarily include dhárma, kárma, ahimsa and saṃsāra...
traditions mantras may be given to aspirants by their
guruA guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . As a principle for the development of consciousness it leads the creation from unreality to reality, from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge...
, after some form of
initiationInitiation is a rite of passage ceremony marking entrance or acceptance into a group or society. It could also be a formal admission to adulthood in a community or one of its formal components...
. The goal could be
mokshaIn Indian religions, Moksha or Mukti , literally "release" , is the liberation from samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth or reincarnation and all of the suffering and limitation of worldly existence after realization of God...
,
nirvanaIn sramanic thought, Nirvana is the state of being free from suffering. It is an important concept in Buddhism and Jainism....
,
bhaktiBhakti in practice signifies an active involvement by the devotee in divine worship. The term is often translated as "devotion", though increasingly "participation" is being used as a more accurate rendering, since it conveys a fully engaged relationship with God...
, or simple personal communion with
GodGod is a deity in theistic and deistic religions and other belief systems, representing either the sole deity in monotheism, or a principal deity in polytheism....
in a similar way to prayer.
Popular Japa mantras
- Hare Krishna
The Hare Krishna mantra, also referred to reverentially as the Maha Mantra , is a sixteen-word Vaishnava mantra which first appears in the Kali-Santarana Upanishad, and which from the 16th century rises to importance in the Bhakti movement following the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.According...
- Aum Namah Sivaya
Aum Namaḥ Śivāya is among the foremost mantras. Its general translation is "adoration to Śiva", preceded by the mystical syllable Aum. It is called Panchakshara, or "having five syllables"...
- Gayatri
Gayatri is the feminine form of , a Sanskrit word for a song or a hymn.Originally the personification of the Gayatri mantra, revered by both Buddhists and Hindus worldwide, the goddess Gāyatrī is considered the veda mata, the mother of all Vedas and also the personification of the all-pervading...
- Om
Aum Aum Aum (also Om, written in Devanagari as , in Chinese and Japanese as , in Tibetan as , in Sanskrit known as lit. "to sound out loudly" or lit...
- Om Mani Padme Hum
Om mani padme hum ,mani meaning the jewel and Padma-the lotus. The six syllabled mantra of the bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteshvara...
- Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Vishnu , , is the Supreme God in Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God...
- Om Namo Narayanaya
Narayana or Narayan is an important Sanskrit name for Vishnu, and in many contemporary vernaculars a common Indian name. Narayana is also identified as the original man, Purusha. The Puranas present divergent views on Narayana...
- Om Sri Ram Jay Ram Jay Jay Ram
Ram Nam means "the name Rama", which can imply either devotion to Rama, the avatar of Vishnu, or as a name to the ultimately formless, all-embracing Absolute Brahman. Rama's name is often chanted or sung within the many traditions of Hinduism...
- Om Tare Tuttare Ture Swaha
Tara or Ārya Tārā, also known as Jetsun Dolma in Tibetan Buddhism, is a female Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism who appears as a female Buddha in Vajrayana Buddhism.. She is known as the "mother of liberation", and represents the virtues of success in work and achievements...
See also
- Ajapa
Ajapa is the Sanskrit term used to describe "total awareness" in Hindu philosophy. Ajapa is the practice of Japa , concentrating and developing awareness with the least effort. Ajapa is an exercise in yoga that can be mastered through intense, personal concentration and focusing on mental exercise....
- Hail Mary
The Angelic Salutation, Hail Mary, or Ave Maria is a traditional Catholic prayer asking for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Hail Mary is used within Roman Catholicism, and it forms the basis of the Rosary...
- Hesychasm
Hesychasm is an eremitic tradition of prayer in the Eastern Orthodox Church, and some other Eastern Churches of the Byzantine Rite, practised by the Hesychast Hesychasm is an eremitic tradition of prayer in the Eastern Orthodox...
- Japa mala
A Japa mala or mala is a set of beads commonly used by Hindus and Buddhists, usually made from 108 beads, though other numbers, usually divisible by 9, are also used. Malas are used for keeping count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra or the name or names of a deity...
- Jesus Prayer
The Jesus Prayer or "The Prayer" , also called the Prayer of the Heart and "Prayer of the Mind " , is a short, formulaic prayer often uttered repeatedly. It has been widely used, taught and discussed throughout the history of the Eastern Churches...
- Maha Mantra
Maha Mantra may refer to the following:*Any thought to be "great" mantra in Hinduism and other Dharmic Religions.*A common name for the Hare Krishna mantra; see Hare Krishna ....
- Meditation
Meditation is used here as a broad term for practices done by a sole practitioner without much, if any, external aide, often for the purpose of self-transformation...
- Nembutsu
- Pranava yoga
Pranava yoga is a name given to the classical method of meditation outlined in the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. It is also called Om yoga and Om yoga meditation...
- Prayer
Prayer is the act of addressing a god or spirit for the purpose of worship or petition. Specific forms of this may include praise, requesting guidance or assistance, confessing sins, as an act of reparation or an expression of one's thoughts and emotions...
- Svayam bhagavan
Svayam Bhagavan , "The Lord" or Lord Himself, is a Sanskrit theological term. The term refers to the concept of absolute representation of the monotheistic God as Bhagavan within Hinduism....
External links