Naamsangiti - One of the Most Important Preachings of Lord Buddha, says Vajracharya

Nepal Oregon News reporter

"In Vajrayana Buddhism, Manjushree Naamsangiti is one of the most important preachings of Shakyamuni Tathagata. It consists of 167 verses and mantra sentences," Pundit Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, co-founder of Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara (NMM) said at a Naamsangiti Recitation ritual in the zoom organized on Thursday, Jan 28, 2021 to mark the Full Moon Day. 

15 people from Canada, Hong Kong, Nepal, California and Oregon took part at the Naamsangiti Recitation ritual through the zoom.

It is to be noted that Nritya Mandala Mahavihara has been organizing Manjushree Naamsangiti Recitation on every full moon day of the month since July of the last year. Also, Naamsangiti is recited daily at the Mahavihara during the month of Gunla (Nepal Sambat Lunar Calendar).

At a time when a lot of heritage, historical and religious scriptures are on the verge of extinction, disseminating the sacred tantras and preachings is essential to keep them alive, said Prajwal Vajracharya adding "That's why NMM is dedicated to protect, promote and preserve these sacred things."

When we talk about about Naamsangiti, we need to offer our prayers not only to Tathagat Buddha, but also to Maha Manjushree Bodhisattva and Vajrapani Bodhisattva, said Prajwal.

Vajracharya added:"Naamsangiti is the quintessence of Buddhism because it summarizes all the Buddha's teachings."

The far-reaching importance of Naamsangiti lies on the fact that Manjushree Bodhisattva is the embodiment of all knowledge, Prajwal went on saying.

Naamsangiti was taught by Tathagata Buddha to one of his disciples Vajrapani Bodhisattva and his followers to lead them to enlightenment, Vajracharya stated.

"Reciting of Naamsangiti is useful for mitigating stress and tension and gaining health," he said.

Throwing light on the importance of Naamsangiti, Vajracharya offered a traditional lore: "There is a Khun Bahal (a Vihara of thieves) at Watu Tole in Kathmandu. The Bahal was controlled by spirits, ghosts and spooks. In ancient times, the thieves and criminals used to be sent at this Khun Bahal for the punishment. All of them were found dead the next morning inside the Bahal. Khun Bahal was just like a notorious haunted house. One day, a thief was also sent to that Bahal, but surprisingly, he was found alive and kicking the next day. The thief revealed that he was chanting Naamsangiti all night."