Zen buddhism and mantra repetition
Hello everyone !
I have been attending a Zen dojo in Europe for less than a year. Before that, I attended a Tibetan Buddhist temple, and I really loved the chanting, the colors, and the very sacred atmosphere of that tradition. However, I found it difficult to follow a particular teacher or commit myself to one specific teacher.
At the Zen dojo, the monk gives teachings and we are able to ask questions. This practice has changed my everyday life enormously. I am trying to let go, and I am becoming more aware of the importance of simply being where I am in the present moment. I try to do things as they need to be done, and even when I set myself a goal, I try not to become attached to that goal.
It has also changed my relationship with art. I am a musician, and I realized that I often used to compose with a very specific goal in mind: getting concert opportunities, receiving recognition from other people, etc., rather than simply composing for the sake of composing. In short, Zen has been extremely beneficial to me, and I am considering taking the precepts very soon.
However, part of me is still very attracted to certain aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. I think they feed a certain aspect of my ego, or perhaps a certain idea of spirituality that I simply enjoy. I find Zen very interesting, and I think this simplicity is actually the point: it is very direct and gets to the essence of things. I also think this is exactly what my restless mind needs.
There is one thing I have noticed, though. Repeating a mantra — for example, Om Mani Padme Hum — continuously throughout the day really helps me quiet the inner voice that is constantly talking. It prevents me from getting caught up in a long chain of inner dialogue and thoughts.
Instead of:
thought → scenario → another thought → another scenario → etc.
it becomes more like:
mantra → thought → mantra → thought → etc.
However, I sometimes feel that this practice may not really be in accordance with the Soto Zen tradition. My understanding is that the practice is more about seeing and observing thoughts and inner dialogue, then letting them pass without considering them fundamentally good or bad. When I use a mantra, I sometimes feel that I am doing the opposite, because I am using it to avoid or interrupt the inner monologue.
I’ve always had the feeling that I’m somewhere between the two: Tibetan Buddhism and Zen. I’m fascinated by India and I dream of going there one day, etc. On the other hand, I’m not particularly drawn to Japan, its culture, its atmosphere, etc. It may sound silly to say, but I do think that a country’s culture has an important influence on the way a tradition is lived and experienced.
What do you think about this? In your opinion, is it compatible with Zen practice to use a mantra to occupy the space normally taken up by inner monologue, even when practicing within the Soto Zen tradition?
Thank you in advance for your answers, and take care of yourselves and each other !