The Difference in Chanting Between Northern and Southern Buddhist – Venerable Thich Phap Hoa

The Difference in Chanting Buddha’s Name

In Northern Buddhism (Mahayana), particularly in countries such as Vietnam, China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet, practitioners often chant the names of Buddha and Bodhisattvas to build connections and cultivate good karma.

The common chants include:

“Homage to Amitabha Buddha”

Chanting to pray for rebirth in the Pure Land.

Homage to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva

or

Homage to Guanyin Bodhisattva

Praying for Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara’s blessings, seeking liberation from suffering.

In contrast, in Southern Buddhism (Theravāda), practitioners do not chant Buddha’s names in the same manner. Instead, they chant the virtues of the Buddha.

For example:

“Homage to the Tathāgata, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One,
the Possessor of True Knowledge and Conduct, the Well-Gone One,
the Knower of the World, the Incomparable Leader,
the Supreme Trainer of Beings, the Teacher of Gods and Humans, the Buddha.”

The last one have a shorter version:

“Homage to the Buddha, the Fully Enlightened One.”

These are the ten honored epithets of the Buddha, each representing a perfect virtue and wisdom of the Buddha.

Why Does the Southern Tradition Chant the Buddha’s Virtues?

The reason they chant the virtues of the Buddha instead of merely chanting His name is:

1. To reflect on and emulate each of the Buddha’s virtues.
2. To understand that the true nature of the Buddha is not just a name, but a fully enlightened being.
3. To inspire respect and encourage practitioners to embody these qualities in their own lives.

For example:

• The One Who Has Thus Gone and Thus Come (Tathāgata) – The one who has realized the ultimate truth.
• The One Who is Worthy of Reverence (Arahat) – The one worthy of offerings.
• he Fully Awakened Buddha (Sammāsambuddha) – The fully enlightened one, free from delusion.
• The One Perfect in Wisdom and Virtue (Vijjācaranasampanno) – Fully endowed with wisdom and virtue.

They don’t just chant Buddha’s name, but deeply reflect on His actions and qualities, striving to cultivate them within themselves.

Which Method of Chanting is Better?

In truth, neither method is better than the other, as what truly matters is the intention and mindset of the practitioner.

• The Northern tradition chants Buddha’s names (e.g., Homage to Amitabha Buddha, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva) → to pray for rebirth, seek blessings, and establish a connection with the Dharma.
• The Southern tradition chants the Buddha’s virtues → to learn from and cultivate one’s own virtues in accordance with the Buddha’s path.

Each method has its own value, but what matters most is whether we direct our hearts towards the Buddha’s teachings and live according to His instructions.

Final Thought

1. The Northern tradition often chants the names of Buddha and Bodhisattvas to offer prayers, seek rebirth, and receive blessings.
2. The Southern tradition focuses on chanting the Buddha’s virtues to reflect on and cultivate virtuous qualities.
3. There is no superior method of chanting; the key is how we practice and apply the teachings in our lives.
4. Regardless of the method we use, the most important thing is to transform our minds, live according to the Buddha’s teachings, and reduce greed, hatred, and delusion.

What matters is not which Buddha’s name you chant, but whether you truly practice the Buddha’s virtues!

This article is compiled based on a sermon by Venerable Thích Pháp Hoà

The Original Dharma Talk

The Difference in Chanting Between Mahayana and Theravāda – Venerable Thich Phap Hoa

Below is his original lesson:

Cách Phật Giáo Nam Tông niệm Phật – Thầy Thích Pháp Hoà