The Role of Chanting and Prayer in Buddhism: A Multidimensional Review
International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education January 1, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.20431/2349-0381.1303002 via OpenAlex
Summary
Buddhist chanting and prayer, once overlooked by Western scholars, are now recognized as central practices that transmit doctrine, cultivate virtues, regulate mental states, and build communities. Chanting involves rhythmic recitation of canonical texts, protective formulas, and mantras, often in liturgical languages. Prayer overlaps with aspirational verses and invocations directed toward buddhas or deities, especially in Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions. Unlike theistic petitionary prayer, Buddhist prayer emphasizes aspiration for universal welfare, confession, and merit dedication, though popular practice also includes requests for protection, health, and prosperity.
Study at a glance
| Design | review |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Buddhist chanting and prayer are crucial vehicles for transmitting doctrine, cultivating virtues, regulating mental states, and constructing religious communities. |
Abstract
While early Western scholarship often portrayed Buddhism as a rational philosophy emphasizing individual meditation and ethical discipline, contemporary research increasingly recognizes vocal practices including sutta recitation, paritta chanting, mantra repetition, and devotional invocation as crucial vehicles for transmitting doctrine, cultivating virtues, regulating mental states, and constructing religious communities (Kumar, 2023;Yulianti, 2012;Perry et al., 2021).The term "chanting" in Buddhist contexts typically refers to rhythmic vocal recitation of canonical texts (Pli suttas, Sanskrit stras), protective formulas (paritta, rak), and mantras or dhras, often performed in liturgical languages not fully understood by lay participants (Kumar, 2023;Piyadassi, 1999;Payne, 2018)."Prayer" overlaps significantly with aspirational verses, bodhisattva vows, and invocations directed toward buddhas, bodhisattvas, or protective deities, particularly prominent in Mahyna and Vajrayna traditions where relational devotion and supplication are more explicitly articulated (Kumar, 2023;Jones, 2021;Beer, 2003).Unlike theistic petitionary prayer, much Buddhist prayer emphasizes aspiration for universal welfare, confession of unwholesome actions, and dedication of merit, though popular practice also includes requests for protection, health, prosperity, and favorable rebirth (