Book Title: Harmony of All Religions
Author(s): Parmahans Maharaj, Veena Rani Howard
Publisher: USA Santmat Society of North America

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Page 167
________________ visualization of a sacred form, the yoga of vision (intense focus) and the yoga of sound. However, Buddhists are not all in agreement with certain aspects of mantra meditation, and they do not all recite the same mantra. Tibetan Buddhists recite “Om Mani Padme Hum” whereas Japanese Buddhists (SGI sect) recite: "Namyo Harenge Kyo”. Most Buddhists use the “OM” or “Namo tasya bhagavato arhato samma sambuddhas (Honor to Him the Blessed One, Who Conquered all Obstacles, and the Fully Enlightened One”) mantra. Many also recite the triple gem: “I Take Refuge in Buddha, Dhamma and Samgha.” Another practice that is common to both traditions is mental concentration on a physical form. Buddhist texts elaborate on this in a similar way to mānas dhyāna of Santmat. In the Buddhist text Digha Nikaya, mendicants are given these instructions: A bhikkhu should sit in a crossed legged posture, keeping the back and neck erect, and become mindful of all directions. He should then collect the wandering mind which is scattered in all four directions By focusing within, the aspirant purifies the mind. This text, Digha Nikaya, notes various details concerning concentration on a physical form: The aspirant focuses mentally on a physical 158

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