By Lee Kane

In many Buddhist disciplines we are taught and value the practice of reciting sutras. Often this is done from memory, in a mantra-like chant, which begs the question why do we recite sutras?

Sutras are the teachings of the Buddha. To speak them is to put us in touch with Buddha's enlightened understanding and to connect our consciousness with the seeds for our own ultimate enlightenment. Of course, some drop the practice because they believe it has become too robotic, without meaning, chanted so fast that we're not really absorbing the "message," but that isn't the point of recitation. Even if the conscious mind is not directly connecting with the "repetitive chant" the subconscious certainly is. And, many spiritual travellers believe the subconscious is where the seeds of enlightenment flourish first. 

Sutras help disengage the "bogged down" conscious mind

The conscious mind is often bogged down with daily stress, the struggle to survive, the latest gossip at work, the need to pay the mortgage, and a thousand other anchors that create barriers to our need for spiritual fulfilment. We seek to still the mind with meditation, sutra recitation, prayer, communing with the sangha and many other methods. Meditation, if done correctly, can still the mind, allowing the daily battle to survive to fall away sufficiently to allow us to contemplate the teachings of Buddha.

Sutras help us remain mindful of the teachings

In a more direct way, actively contemplating sutras helps us remain mindful of the teachings. Even if we've recited them so many thousands of times they become robotic, the practice of actively repeating the teachings is, in some ways, the ultimate "prayer." The teachings can be likened to seeds. The recitation to planting and fertilizer. The daily watering to the daily recitation. 

But what to do if it becomes too robotic, almost to the point where the conscious mind grumbles and complains." The rational conscious mind tends to complain about little things like daily offerings, prayers and sutra recitations. It's easy to dismiss these practices after a time if they appear to be less meaningful, or too "robotic." 

Recite the sutra, rather than read them

Some of the keys to retaining the conscious mind's engagement with sutras is to recite them, rather than read them. To recite them in your native language rather than the original language will also keep the mind engaged. Some teachers, however, would argue that allowing the mind to become disengaged is the point. As with mantra practice, repeated sutra recitation in Tibetan, Sanskrit or Pali, ultimately from memory, can allow the conscious mind to detach, one of the goals of mindfulness.

There is also comfort in the sutras. In times of stress, when the conscious mind can't cope, reciting a sutra, mentally or aloud, can bring instant comfort and strength.

The words are then linked to daily practice—and don't kid yourself, daily recitation of a sutra will cause the teachings to become part of your daily life over time. Repeated sutra recitation does tend to lead towards practices of generosity, merit, honouring of the three jewels and other ways to help put an end to the obstacles of karma.