| 释义 |
‖ mantra Indian.|ˈmæntrə|
Also 9 mantram.
[Skr. mantra, lit. ‘instrument of thought’, f. man to think.]
A sacred text or passage, esp. one from the Vedas used as a prayer or incantation. Also, a holy name, for inward meditation. Also attrib. and fig.
1808Colebrooke Vedas in Asiat. Res. VIII. 391 The import of any mantra in the Indian scriptures, is generally found to be a prayer, containing either a petition to a deity, or else thanksgiving, praise, and adoration. 1817tr. Dubois' Mann. People India xi. 77 The pretended virtues of the Mantra or Mantram. 1883Monier-Williams Relig. Th. & Life India i. 8 These Mantras or hymns were arranged in three principal collections. 1900W. Maxwell in W. W. Skeat Malay Magic v. 116 Numerous mantra, or charms..are in use among the Pawangs. 1931G. B. Sansom Japan iii. xii. 222 Recitation of the formulae known as mantra. 1956E. Wood Yoga Dict. 93 Mantras, forms of speech which carry a material effect upon the mind, emotions or body, or even on things... The scriptures contain many great mantras, of which the greatest is the word Om. Ibid., If these [sounds] are arranged by some person competent in this matter, words..and sentences of power can be formed. Such a person was called a mantramaker (mantrakāra) in ancient India. 1962Brahmacharini Usha Ramakrishna-Vedanta Wordbk. 47 Mantra,..also mantram... The particular name of God... The mantra, regarded as one with God, represents the essence of the guru's instruction to his disciple, who is enjoined to keep it sacred and secret, and to meditate on the aspect of God which it symbolizes for the rest of his life. 1964V. S. Naipaul Area of Darkness x. 249 The Tibetans..were suffering because they had forgotten the mantras, charms, which might have repelled their enemies. 1965New Statesman 16 Apr. 616/3 He is less happy when defending the mantra, or holy names on which one must meditate. 1967Singha & Massey Indian Dances iv. 56 The priest lit the sacred fire, recited the mantras (sacred texts), and tied the tali round the girl's neck. 1969Enactment (Delhi) Nov. 18/1 You used to chant his name like a mantra. 1971Daily Tel. 19 Aug. 10/4 People who ever have dinner in English country hotels know the mantra, or holy formula: ‘Coffee will be served in the lounge.’ 1972Language XLVIII. 174 Secondly, the Brahmanas cannot be regarded far removed in time from the mantras, and therefore their authors might not render a particular mantra word..which..was not altogether unintelligible in their times. 1972Village Voice (N.Y.) 1 June 76/3 The birds were placed in cardboard boxes..and rushed to a building where teams of hippies, chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, worked into the dawn of the next day to save their lives. 1973Times 22 Jan. 20 The Maharishi uses a technique based on a mantra, a sound which each meditator is given to intone inwardly. |