Changes

In [[English]] language usage, the term "mantra" has a colloquial meaning quite distinct from [[prayer]], and carries the interpretive (or misinteretive) and derogatory connotations based in [[monotheism]]'s negative view of [[polytheism]] and many of its [[concept]]s. In short, "mantra" in English carries a negative connotation of 'mindless or thoughtless repetition of a concept,' similar to the negative connotations associated with the term "[[dogma]]."  

In [[English]] language usage, the term "mantra" has a colloquial meaning quite distinct from [[prayer]], and carries the interpretive (or misinteretive) and derogatory connotations based in [[monotheism]]'s negative view of [[polytheism]] and many of its [[concept]]s. In short, "mantra" in English carries a negative connotation of 'mindless or thoughtless repetition of a concept,' similar to the negative connotations associated with the term "[[dogma]]."  

 

==Background==

==Background==

In the context of the [[Vedas]], the term ''mantra'' refers to the entire portion which contains the texts called [[Rigveda]], Yajur or Saam, that is, the metrical]] part as opposed to the prose [[Brahmana]] commentary. With the transition from [[ritual]]istic Vedic traditions to [[mysticism|mystical]] and egalitarian Hindu schools of [[Yoga]], [[Vedanta]], [[Tantra]] and [[Bhakti]], the orthodox attitude of the elite nature of mantra knowledge gave way to spiritual interpretations of mantras as a translation of the human will or desire into a form of action, with some features in common with spells in general.

In the context of the [[Vedas]], the term ''mantra'' refers to the entire portion which contains the texts called [[Rigveda]], Yajur or Saam, that is, the metrical]] part as opposed to the prose [[Brahmana]] commentary. With the transition from [[ritual]]istic Vedic traditions to [[mysticism|mystical]] and egalitarian Hindu schools of [[Yoga]], [[Vedanta]], [[Tantra]] and [[Bhakti]], the orthodox attitude of the elite nature of mantra knowledge gave way to spiritual interpretations of mantras as a translation of the human will or desire into a form of action, with some features in common with spells in general.

Another explanation is that the suffix ''-tra'' means "protection".   

Another explanation is that the suffix ''-tra'' means "protection".   

The  Chinese translation is '''zhenyan''' 眞言, 真言, literally "true words", the Japanese on'yomi reading of the Chinese being ''shingon'' (which is also used as the proper name for the prominent esoteric Shingon sect).[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantra]

The  Chinese translation is '''zhenyan''' 眞言, 真言, literally "true words", the Japanese on'yomi reading of the Chinese being ''shingon'' (which is also used as the proper name for the prominent esoteric Shingon sect).[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantra]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Anthropology]]

[[Category: Anthropology]]