Robert: > Is there any sound which isn't 'made up'? > A 'bija' mantra is whatever your guru says it is.
It could be a sound, a mental image, or a symbolic device such as a yantra, or just a thought. In deep meditation TMers only use non-semantic sounds as simple mnemonic device for transcending. A mnemonic device is just like a place-holder used as a reminder of a state of consciousness previously experienced, sort of like the proverbial string tied around one's finger. So, let's reveiw the definition of 'bija' mantra. Keep in mind that the definition of a bija mantra doesn't include any references to the purpose of bija mantra. And, any definition must be universally applicable, that is, there can be no exceptions. According to Bharati, if there is a single exception to a statement, then that statement forfeits its claim to being a definition. As there is a conceivable exception with regard to the purpose of mantra, purpose could not be included (111). Following the definition proposed by Swami Ageananda Bharati: "A mantra is a quasi-morpheme or a series of quasi-morphemes, or a series of mixed genuine and quasi-morphemes, arranged in conventional patterns, based on codified esoteric traditions, and passed on from one preceptor to one disciple in the course of a prescribed initiation ritual..." Works cited: "The Tantric Tradition" by Swami Ageananda Bharati Rider, 1965 > > At some point, we all are going to have to face the historical > > facts: the bija mantras used in both Tantric Buddhism and in > > Hindu Yoga are made-up sounds that are found in any common > > household, heard around the house every day, or from the sounds > > found in nature. Bija mantras are NOT revealed or cognized or > > 'seen' by the monad or by some mythical 'rishi'. > > > > All mantric practices stem from the ancient shamanistic practice > > of Oddiyana, that is Buddhists of Trans-Himalya, hence to India. > > > > The Mantrayna was adopted, with modifications, by the Shiva and > > Vaishanava sects as Hindu tantricism following the Gupta Age. > > > > For example, the bija mantra 'phat' is called the astra 'weapon' > > bija used as an aggressive mantra from the earliest times. The > > sound of phat, to the Indian ear, conveys the sensation of > > explosion. > > > > According to Bharati, in Hindi, 'phat' is a very common > > colloquial household term for 'burst, explode', in both > > intransitive and transitive use, as in a two wheeled, two-stroke, > > motorized rickshaw, thus a 'phata phata', heard all over Delhi! > > > > "From this, a causative verb pharna is formed. The motor-cycle > > rickshaw in Delhi is called 'phat phata' by its drivers; phatki > > is a fire-cracker. Once a syllable like this has been accepted > > into esoteric usage, analogous syllables will readily follow..." > > (116). > > > > Works cited: > > > > Sanskrit Lexicon: > > > > Phat!: (pronounced 'fot') phoneme; Buddhist Hybrid-Sanskrit; > > causative verb? 1. Crack! 2. Snap! 3. Pop! 4. Meaningless > > sound. 5. Gibberish. 6. Bija mantra - sometimes referred to > > as the weapon mantra also, in that, it destroys obstacles. > > http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/ > > > > 'The Tantric Tradition' > > by Swami Ageananda Bharati > > Rider, 1965 > > > > Subject: Its Not What You Think! > > Thread: Phat! A magic word for protection? > > Author: Willytex > > Forum: alt.meditation.transcendental, > > alt.yoga, alt.meditation > > Updated: August 26, 2003
