The Principles of Memorization

When reciting the Shurangama Mantra at an extremely fast speed, memorization becomes fundamentally effortless. Why is this so? Because recitation is the function of consciousness, while memorization is the function of the mental faculty. When consciousness becomes highly proficient in recitation, the mental faculty becomes correspondingly imbued with it. At this stage, if the mantra can be chanted at an extremely rapid pace, not only does consciousness become free from distracting thoughts and delusions, but the mental faculty also becomes free from distracting thoughts and delusions, enabling it to focus exclusively on being permeated by the mantra. Naturally, this allows the mantra to be memorized, thereby enabling consciousness to recite it proficiently without deliberate memorization practice—recitation arises spontaneously.

Moreover, this exclusive focus is samadhi. By eliminating scattered thoughts and distractions, concentrating all mental energy on a single matter without interference, that matter can be accomplished. Therefore, with samadhi, all things can be achieved, and wisdom will emerge. The union of the mental faculty and samadhi accomplishes all things; the realization of all dharmas depends on the mental faculty and samadhi. Thus, samadhi primarily refers to the stability of the mental faculty as the commander, while the six consciousnesses, as attendants, must advance, retreat, and settle in unison with the commander. When encountering a problem, if the mental faculty can deeply concentrate, disregarding all other dharmas and states, concentration rapidly intensifies, potentially reaching the root of the problem, and wisdom will surge forth.

Samadhi can arise through speed, but it can equally arise through slowness. When chanting the mantra very slowly, to the point of extreme slowness, the mind also becomes exceptionally focused. Consciousness is free from wandering thoughts, the mental faculty is free from wandering thoughts, and it can wholeheartedly receive the permeation from consciousness. The mantra gradually enters the heart of the mental faculty and becomes memorized within, enabling subsequent recitation.

Both extremely rapid chanting and reciting of mantras and sutras, and extremely slow chanting and reciting, have their respective advantages and disadvantages. Rapid chanting may lead to scatteredness, while slow chanting may lead to dullness; thus, constant adjustment is necessary. The two methods apply to different scenarios; the appropriate method must be chosen according to the situation. Each individual must personally experience and adjust flexibly to achieve the optimal result.