How to Quickly Memorize the Śūraṅgama Mantra

The Śūraṅgama Mantra has an immense power of blessing: it can increase merit, enable perfect observance of the precepts without violation, make the mind single-pointed and free of scattered thoughts, and foster diligence in the practice of the Dharma. It strengthens one's resolve for the Path, grants the eye for discerning the Dharma, and keeps demonic disturbances far away. For details, see the various benefits of upholding the Śūraṅgama Mantra that the World-Honored One expounds in the seventh volume of the Śūraṅgama Sūtra. Therefore, for those who study Buddhism, it is highly worthwhile to recite and memorize the Śūraṅgama Mantra every day from the very beginning of their practice. With the blessings of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma-protecting deities, one can be spared many disturbances and distortions, transform the worldly mind into a mind set on cultivating the Path, and make rapid progress in practice. How can one memorize the Śūraṅgama Mantra quickly? This depends on one's memory. If, while reciting the mantra, one can be single-minded, free of scattered thoughts, with all one's attention fixed on the Śūraṅgama Mantra, then by the time one has read it until familiar, one will almost be able to recite it from memory. If, while reciting the mantra, one has many wandering thoughts and the mind cannot be single-pointed, the attention will scatter, the mantra will not be retained, and no matter how long one reads it, it will be very difficult to memorize. To keep stray thoughts from creeping in, one may choose to read aloud quickly or recite rapidly, completing it in one breath. But this has a drawback: it easily depletes one's vital energy. For a short time there may be no ill effect, but over a long period it will take a toll. If one can truly recite with full concentration, it is possible to memorize it in a short time. To concentrate the attention, one may choose to strike a wooden fish as an auxiliary method; those without a wooden fish may tap the table with the hand instead. The rhythm should be even and have a cadence. Once interest is aroused, attention will become focused, and with a fondness for recitation, one will quickly reach the point of being able to recite it from memory.