I found this website on Tendai Buddhism in California (kindly posted on e-sangha by another member), that had a nice summary explanation* of why mantras feature so prominently in Buddhism. I particularly thought this was helpful:
And the recitation of mantra has many other uses and benefits as well. If one with faith in the teacher takes up repetition practice (JAPA), the meaning may not become clear until after 100,000 repetitions, even a million repetitions. However, other benefits will be quickly discovered, things like calming, awareness, becoming concentrated, turning inward and see your thoughts as in a mirror, seeing how quickly thoughts change, and how the two sides of the brain exchange places on center stage. By diligent effort, you will experience how to slow down and stop the replay of the day’s conversations, allowing deeper layers of the mind to become visible, and allowing the Buddhadharma to manifest its power to overcome suffering.
I think this is a great explanation because it helps to demystify mantras somewhat, without compromising their meaning. It has a short-term value in helping to calm the mind and leave it open to reflection, but also has a long-term value in revealing deeper truths. Also it was interesting to note that the article listed the nembutsu (Namu Amida Butsu) as a mantra, which in this definition probably does make sense. In Jodo Shinshu, the nembutsu is treated as a recitation of faith, or more appropriately, an expression of gratitude, but I suppose that it also fits the definitely above if you look at it from another angle.
Anyways, something interesting to pass along.
Namuamidabu
* – The website sadly uses HTML frames, and in a way that’s kind of awkward, so be patient. 
I’ve noticed that Buddhist masters generally aren’t proficient web designers, which leads me to suspect that HTML 4.01 is not on the path to Enlightenment. Oh well.
Hello, this blog is about my life as a father, Buddhist and Japanophile / Koreaphile. Any useful information I can pass along will hopefully make the 
Hi Gerald,
I know what you mean about backward Buddhists. Bunch of Luddites. I design to HTML 4.01 (transitional). I must get onto “strict” – I think only my tables fail. But there’s no excuse for frames in this day and age
I wonder whether this demystification of mantras might not have gone a little too far. The benefits you mention are equally applicable to any form of meditation, but also just deep breathing. There is something about the use of sounds which *creates* an experience rather than simply opening the mind to the possibility. I think it doesn’t do justice to the possibility of invoking qualities like compassion via a mantra. Mantras function as archetypal symbols as well – this is not mysticism, but related to the two sides of the brain thing. Which reminds me… have you seen this:
I’d be interested to hear/read your thoughts on it.
Best Wishes
Jayarava
Hi Jayarava,
Always good to see you.
You’re probably right, in that one can demystify too much, but I think at an introductory level of Buddhism, it’s good to present a concrete application to mantra reciting, beyond the esoteric stuff. The article I cited actually does say that most mantras are provided by a trained master of a lineage, implying that there’s more to the mindfulness stuff. But at the same time, one can approach mantras from a short-term and longer-term set of benefits. Since Buddhism is about investigation, I think the article is right in saying that if you want to investigate mantras, try out a public mantra, and see if it helps you focus and such. From there, as your practice deepens, then one can delve into deeper mysteries.
By the way, the Youtube video grossed me out in a way. I am really squeamish, but it was pretty interesting to see her experience of a stroke. I think her interpretation of Nirvana is a little off (Bhikkhu Bodhi explains is better than anyone I’ve ever heard), but it was pretty fascinating.
P.S. I finally forced myself to learn HTML 4.01 strict, and once I got the hang of it, it’s kind of cool. Worth trying to transition to.