[Veveseinlep]

I think some background on the meaning of chants and their purpose in practice is very beneficial. That said, my first time chanting was at a weeklong shamatha retreat. I had no idea what I was doing or what the names signified... or how to pronounce them. (We were free not to chant if we felt uncomfortable - I decided to try it). The leader gave a brief introduction to chanting which was helpful, I found the larger course even more helpful.

[Dndjzirw]

Ohhh...

Now I get it. As I read other books, I got to know that chanting is also meditation. As we chant, we are actually concentrating on the tone, the words and the feeling of it. If an amateur were to join in, then it may break the flow of the environment and it might even disrupt concentration of others. Wow, it is rather sacred but I think this is rather selfish as well. Maybe there is other explanation for it.

Thanks JadeRabbit for the the link. Very interesting word, feel the chant. But why do you start chanting? Do you mind sharing?

Dear SwamiMike, can you explain to me what kinda larger course you are referring to? I would like to know, thank you.

Peace be with all of you.

[obHQNsY2]

Thanks JadeRabbit for the the link. Very interesting word, feel the chant. But why do you start chanting? Do you mind sharing?

Hi again,

My decision to start chanting came from the decision to follow one particular tradition and dedicate myself to that. It wasn't the motivator to start, but chanting is an integral part of the Thai Forest tradition.

I went to a local monastary (Cittaviveka) in West Sussex and enjoyed listening to the chanting in the evenings. Without understanding or really knowing what they meant, it was enough just to absorb the lovely words and atmosphere. It felt like coming home.

As my faith in the triple gem (Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha) increased, I thought I would like to form some sort of commitment to this tradtion by formally going for refuge, part of which is chanting a request to the fourfold Sangha (monks, nuns, laymen, & laywomen)

Link to the Refuges and Precepts ->

http://www.buddhanet.net/cmdsg/path6.htm

By acting in this way, one 'officially' becomes a Buddhist as a lay person. I now do the morning and evening chanting in Pali and English before I meditate.

[KaterinaNJq]

Thank you JadeRabbit...

I think I will also do my best in my part.
Might even follow your footstep.

Peace be with you.