Glossary
Key terms.
Clear, short definitions for the vocabulary of mantra practice.
- Mantra
- A sacred sound, syllable, or phrase repeated as spiritual practice.
- Japa
- The meditative repetition of a mantra, often using a mala.
- Kirtan
- Call-and-response devotional singing of sacred names.
- Mala
- A string of 108 prayer beads used to count mantra repetitions.
- Bija
- A single-syllable seed mantra carrying the essence of a deity or quality.
- Om
- The primordial sound; the seed of every mantra.
- Bhakti
- The path of loving devotion.
- Sanskrit
- The classical sacred language of Hindu and much of Buddhist tradition.