Mantras are sound manifestation
coming from emptiness. They are the authentic sound of emptiness.
From the point of view of the absolute truth and of emptiness itself, the mantra
does not have any existence. There is neither sound nor mantra. Sound and mantras,
as well as other forms of manifestation, are located in the relative realm that
arises from emptiness. In the relative realm, sounds, although devoid of their
own entity, have the power to designate name, and act on the mind. When, for
instance, someone tells us "You are a fine person" or "You are
very disagreeable," the words "fine" or "disagreeable"
are not "things." They are only sounds that are not either "fine"
or "disagreeable" in themselves, but simply evoke the thoughts of
"fine" and "disagreeable" and produce an effect on our mind.
Similarly, in the relative domain mantras are endowed with an infallible power
of action.
Mantras are very often the names of buddhas, bodhisattvas [those who have developed
bodhicitta, the aspiration to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient
beings] or deities. For instance, OM MANE PADME HUNG is a way of naming Chenrezig.
From an absolute point of view, Chenrezig does not have a name, but he is designated
by names in the domain of the relative or literal meaning. These names are the
vector of his compassion, grace and the strength of the wishes he makes for
the benefit of beings. In this way the recitation of his name transmits these
qualities of his mind. Herein lies the explanation for the beneficial power
of his mantra, which is also his name.
As we assimilate ourselves to our own name and are at one with it, in the same
way, on the relative level, the mantra is identical with the deity. They form
a single reality. When one recites the mantra, this is not other than the deity
himself. By reciting the mantra, one receives the grace of the deity; by visualizing
the deity, one receives the same grace without any difference
.
The deity and the mantra being one in essence means that one may recite the
mantra without necessarily doing the visualization. The recitation still retains
its effectiveness.