Detailed Introduction
The Cundi Dharani comes from the Cundi Dharani Sutra and is the core mantra of Cundi Buddha Mother. Cundi is revered as the "Mother of Seven Koti (70 Million) Buddhas," holding an exalted status. In Chinese Buddhism, the Cundi Dharani is one of the "Ten Short Mantras" and an important part of the daily liturgy. In Taiwan, many practice centers specialize in the Cundi method, and its followers are numerous.
Full Text of the Mantra
"Namah saptanam samyaksambuddha kotinam. Tadyatha: Om Cale Cule Cundi Svaha."
Meaning: "Homage to the seven million perfectly enlightened Buddhas. Thus: Om, Action, Purification, Cundi, Accomplishment!"
About Cundi Buddha Mother
Cundi Buddha Mother commonly appears with eighteen arms, each hand holding a different ritual implement (sword, mala beads, lotus, precious vase, vajra, etc.), representing the infinite skillful means by which she saves sentient beings. Her countenance is compassionate and dignified, with three eyes (including a third eye on her forehead) symbolizing clear vision of the past, present, and future. What makes Cundi uniquely special is her inclusiveness -- she does not distinguish between monastic and lay practitioners, nor between states of ritual purity or impurity. Even lay practitioners, and even those in states considered ritually impure (such as during menstruation), may recite the Cundi Dharani. This level of accessibility is extremely rare among Buddhist mantras.
Key Points of Practice
The core of Cundi practice is mantra recitation, though the complete method includes multiple elements:
- Dharmadhatu Purification Mantra: "Om Lam" -- recite several times to purify the practice environment.
- Body Protection Mantra: "Om Chiling" -- recite several times to cloak oneself in vajra armor.
- Six-Syllable Mantra: "Om Mani Padme Hum" -- recite several times to generate the mind of compassion.
- Main Cundi Dharani practice: Recite "Namah saptanam..." a set number of times, with 108, 500, or 1,000 recitations being common daily commitments.
- Dedication: Dedicate the merit of the practice to all sentient beings in the dharma realm.
For simplified daily practice, one may directly recite the core mantra without fixed formality.
Benefits and Merits
The sutras record the following benefits of reciting the Cundi Dharani:
- Sin elimination: Eliminates the ten evil deeds, five heinous crimes, and all grave transgressions.
- Blessing increase: Blessings and wisdom increase day by day.
- Wish fulfillment: All worldly wishes may be satisfied.
- Rebirth: At the moment of death, one may see Amitabha Buddha and the assembly of sages.
- Specific benefits: Seeking children, recovering from illness, winning legal disputes, passing examinations, and other worldly aspirations.
The Cundi Dharani is called the "Wish-Fulfilling Mantra" and is renowned in Taiwanese folk religion for being "effective for all prayers."
Transmission in Taiwan
The most influential figure in Taiwan's Cundi practice lineage is the lay scholar Nan Huai-jin. In his writings, Nan strongly recommended the Cundi Dharani, calling it "the most suitable mantra for practice in the Dharma-Ending Age," inspiring a large number of Taiwanese Buddhists to take up Cundi practice. Currently, multiple practice centers and group cultivation organizations in Taiwan specialize in the Cundi method, regularly holding Cundi dharma assemblies, Cundi fire offerings (a tantric ritual using fire to purify karmic obstacles), and intensive group retreats.