The essence of Buddhist Prayers is the fact that our thoughts can directly influence and help the other sentient beings. Buddhist prayers are a way to express good wishes as Buddhism is based on a non-theistic tradition. The word for prayer in Tibetan is ‘Mantra’ meaning an intention that is focused.
The prayer books that Buddhists use as guides are called Sadhanas. ‘Sadhana’ means the method of attainment.
Buddhism is based on a very practical philosophy. Like everything else, Prayers also have a very practical purpose of transforming one’s neutral or negative state into a positive state of being. Prayers aim at increasing the positivities in life including compassion, love and wisdom. In Buddhism, meditation is silently practiced while prayers are chanted aloud.
