Introduction to the Open Hearts Mantra |
聖山教育 - 台灣大地文教基金會 | |
作者 Taiwan Tati Cultural & Educational Foundation | |
2008-08-12 | |
Introduction to the Open Hearts Mantra In 1947, as the first cohort of KMT troops entered While many East Asian scholars from around the world call this event as the February 28th Incident; we, at Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation - and speaking on the behalf of our beautiful country, In the process of their endeavors for a free and independent The word “Bodhisattva” is defined as “a person who has attained prajna, or Enlightenment, but who postpones Nirvana in order to help others to attain Enlightenment.” Apparently, such action takes tremendous sacrifice, moral courage, and compassion. By peacefully fighting for freedom, the Taiwanese Martyred Spirits’ lives resemble those of Bodhisattvas’. Chanting the Open Hearts Mantra (明心咒) serves two purposes: (1) It provides a channel that links our soul to the Heaven and our Lord, the Creator of Our Universe. (2) The Mantra is also a channel for us to spiritually commune with Taiwanese Martyred Spirits. We invite all of you from around the world, regardless of your race, ethnicities, national origin, gender, and faiths to chant the Open Hearts Mantra; and to pray for a free and peaceful world. Someday, the entire world, not just Um Um Hong Hong Tsum Duo La Ba Ni Hum Mantra Chanting Guidelines Chanting of the Open Hearts Mantra is quite liberal. One can chant the Mantra out loud or silently literally anywhere. We do, however, recommend that you, gentle readers, only chant the Mantra out loud in clean and chaste places – out of respect for Taiwanese Martyred Spirits and the Lord, Our Creator. “Clean and chaste places” include anywhere except bathroom and nuptial bedroom. Correct pronunciations of the Mantra, both when chanting out loud or silently, are absolutely critical. Please keep in mind that chanting this Mantra is to spiritually commune with Taiwanese Martyred Spirits. It also provides a linkage for our soul with Heaven. In short, the Mantra connects us spiritually to the celestial world. Therefore, it is highly important that pronunciations be accurate. The Mantra is of ten-syllable in length but consists of only eight different syllables, with two of the ten syllables each being repeated once. The following are sequential pronunciation keys starting from the Mantra’s first syllable: (1) Um – IPA pronunciation key is /ʌm/ as in the “om” of “come.” This syllable is subsequently repeated once. (2) Hong – IPA pronunciation key is /hɔŋ/ as in the “h” of “home” combined with “ong” of “strong.” This syllable is subsequently repeated once. (3) Tsum – IPA pronunciation key is /tsʌm/ as in combining the “t” and “s” of “that’s,” then join the “ts” sound with “Um” syllable. (4) Duo – IPA pronunciation key is /dʊɔ/. Combine the two vowels: the “u” of “put” and “a” of “all.” Then join these two “short” vowel sounds with the consonant “d” of “do.” (5) La – IPA pronunciation key is /lɒ/ as in “lo” of “lot.” (6) Ba –IPA pronunciation key is /bɒ/. Same pronunciation as the “La” syllable above but substitute the consonant “l” with “b.” (7) Ni - IPA pronunciation key is /nɪ/ as in “ni” of “niche.” (8) Hum - IPA pronunciation key is /hʌm/ as in “hum” of “humming.” Music oriented? Listen to the Mantra with melody in this mp3 file here. For your references, a copy of IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) pronunciation keys table can be found at this link: http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/IPA_pron_key.html. In addition, a copy of the mp3 voice file of the article can be downloaded at this link: http://tda.228.net.tw/leo/Introduction_to_the_Open_Hearts_Mantra.mp3. |