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Editorial

Beyond Science:

The Efficacy of Chanting

Chanting is an important practice in all schools of In 2019, a research published in Scientific Reports
Buddhism, though the contents may be different. When on chanting the name of Amitābha Buddha, a core
the chants are in ancient languages such as Pāli and Mahāyāna Buddhist practice, revealed that chanting can
Sanskrit, many Buddhists, when asked what they are quieten fears and transcend the mind, thereby helping
chanting, or what the monks and nuns in the temples individuals to cope with hardship. Chanting “Amitābha
are chanting, often do not know the meaning of the Buddha” faithfully on a long-term basis is therefore
chants. As a result, many among us, especially non- regarded as an effective meditational technique that
Buddhists, have come to think of chanting as a pointless can elicit blissful sensations and transcendental
vestige of an earlier, more superstitious, time. experiences. It is similar to the Theravāda
Buddhists’ chanting the nine qualities of the Buddha
Yet, chanting is a universal characteristic in all Buddhist (buddhānussati).
traditions. Some chants allow us to recall the qualities
of the Buddha, while others are about remembering the A more recent study in Brain Sciences Journal published
spoken teachings of the historical Shakamuni Buddha. by the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
Overall, Buddhists believe that chanting, which can of Switzerland on Oct 27, 2022 also concurred on the
be regarded as both meditation and prayer, will bring beneficial effects of chanting to a person’s cognitive
meaning and purpose into one’s life. function, leading to positive altered states, and
improved quality of life.
At this stage, scientific research on the neural
correlates of religious chanting is in a nascent stage, It is hoped that with more scientific research on
compared with studies on various forms of meditation, the efficacy of chanting on one’s well-bring and
especially mindfulness meditation, which has attracted health, chanting will gain the same respectability as
extensive research. Over the past 50 years, ample meditation, and will no longer be regarded as another
research has highlighted the efficacy of meditation, superstitious practice.
especially with regards to mindfulness, on one’s health
and well-being. As a result, compared to meditation, Nevertheless, we should also remind ourselves that
religious chanting doesn’t have the same kind of the practice of chanting is merely a means, and not
appreciation or respectability. something we should attach to in its form. It is merely
a process of gradually training oneself, evolving
However, studies on the effectiveness of chanting have spiritually towards Enlightenment. EH
begun to appear lately.

A study published in The BMJ Journal (of the British
Medical Association) in 2001 (Volume 323, December
Benny Liow
22-29) highlighted two randomized controlled trials
which tested the effect of regular chanting in patients at August 24, 2023
an intensive coronary care unit. And both trials showed
a beneficial effect of chanting on these patients.