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{{Short description|Spiritual discipline involving the meditative repetition of a mantra or name of a divine power}}
{{other uses}}
[[File:Bhutan - Flickr - babasteve (53).jpg|thumb|A [[Bhutan]]ese Buddhist woman doing Japa, with [[Japamala]]]]
'''''Japa'''''  ({{langx|sa|जप}}) is the meditative repetition of a [[mantra]] or a divine name. It is a practice found in [[Hinduism]],{{sfnp|Beck|1995|pp=92-23, 132-134}} [[Jainism]],{{sfnp|Chapple|2015|pp=311-312}} [[Sikhism]],{{sfnp|Deol|1998|p=11}}{{sfnp|Kohli|1993|pp=33-34}} and [[Buddhism]],{{sfnp|Dasgupta|Dasgupta|1958|pp=167-168}} with parallels found in other [[religion]]s.
{{Hinduism}}
''Japa'' may be performed while sitting in a [[Meditative postures|meditation posture]], while performing other activities,{{sfnp|SSRF|n.d.}} or as part of formal worship in group settings. The mantra or name may be spoken softly, loud enough for the practitioner to hear it, or it may be recited silently within the practitioner's mind.{{sfnp|Easwaran|2008}}

== Etymology ==
The Sanskrit word ''japa'' is derived from the root ''jap-'', meaning "to utter in a low voice, repeat internally, mutter".{{sfnp|Apte|1890|p=447}} It can be further defined as ''ja'' to destroy birth, death, and [[reincarnation]] and ''pa'' meaning to destroy ones sins.{{sfnp|Ashley|2006|p=11}}{{sfnp|Keshavadas|1990|p=16}}

Monier-Williams states that the term appears in Vedic literature such as in the [[Aitareya Brahmana]] ([[Rigveda]]) and the [[Shatapatha Brahmana]] ([[Yajurveda]]).{{sfnp|Monier-Williams|2005|p=412}} The term means muttering, whispering or murmuring passages from the scripture, or charms, or names of deity.{{sfnp|Monier-Williams|2005|p=412}} Often it is the repetitive singing of a verse or mantra, sometimes counted with the help of a rosary which is called ''[[japamala]]''.{{sfnp|Monier-Williams|2005|p=412}} A related word, ''japana'' appears in Book 12 of the [[Mahabharata]], where muttering prayers is described as a form of religious offering.{{sfnp|Monier-Williams|2005|p=412}}

The concept of ''japa'' is also found in early Buddhist texts, and is very common in Tibetan Buddhism literature.{{sfnp|Padoux|2011|pp=31-53}}

According to the sage [[Patanjali]] (400 CE), ''Japa'' is not the repetition of word or phase but rather contemplation on the meaning of the mantra,{{sfnp|Saraswati|1986}} this definition sometimes persists across different sources.{{sfnp|Padoux|2011|p=32}}{{sfnp|Raghavan|2011|p=43}}

== Varieties ==
[[File:Japa mala (prayer beads) of Tulasi wood with 108 beads - 20040101-02.jpg|thumb|''[[Japamala]]'', ''Japa'' beads, consisting of 108 beads plus the head bead]]

=== Beads ===
{{Main|Japamala}}
In some forms of ''japa'', the repetitions are counted using a string of beads known as a ''[[japamala]]''. Many different types of materials are used for ''japa''. The number of beads in the ''japamala'' is generally [[number 108|108]]. It is not uncommon for people to wear ''japa'' beads around their neck, although some practitioners prefer to carry them in a bead-bag in order to keep them clean.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

=== Degrees of loudness ===
''Japa'' may be performed in varying degrees of loudness:

* '''''Vaikhari japa''''' is spoken loud enough so that, although this is not why it is so loud (unless it is a group ''japa'' session), nearby people can hear it recited. It may be useful when there are other sounds nearby (though some consider this to be a mistake){{sfnp|BhaktiratnaSadhu|2020}} or when concentration is difficult and is thus considered most suitable for beginners.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

* '''''Upamshu japa''''' is said quietly, at a whisper. It is said to be one hundred times more effective than ''vaikhari japa''. During ''upamshu japa'' the practitioner's lips should barely move so it is difficult for an observer to see that anything is being said.{{sfnp|BhaktiratnaSadhu|2020}}

* '''''Manasika japa''''' is recited in the mind. It is said to be one thousand times more effective than ''upamshu japa'' and thus 100 000 times more effective than ''vaikhari japa''. It is also said to be difficult or  impossible to practice for those who are not already grounded in ''vaikhari japa'' practice.{{sfnp|Saraswati|1981}}{{sfnp|BhaktiratnaSadhu|2020}}

=== ''Likhita japa'' ===
''Likhita japa'' is the writing of a mantra while, usually, reciting it aloud at the same time.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2021-02-01 |title=Likita Japa - a Practical Way of Meditation |url=https://articles.sivananda.org/meditation-and-the-mind/likita-japa-a-practical-way-of-meditation/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres |language=en-US}}</ref> Proponents say it is more effective than simply reciting the mantra aloud.<ref name=":0" /> ''Likhita japa'' is often written in a book dedicated to the purpose. Books intended for shorter mantras have a grid of rectangular cells with each cell holding one instance of the mantra. Practitioners may use different coloured ink to write in certain cells in order to make a decorative or symbolic pattern.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

=== ''Mantracakra''s ===
[[Tibetan Buddhists]] include ''japa'' [[meditation]] as a large part of their religious practices. In Tibet, states Harvey Alper, the prayer wheels are instruments for ''japa''.{{sfnp|Alper|1991|p=440}} The practice of ''[[nembutsu]]'' in [[Pure Land Buddhism]] is analogous to ''japa''.{{cn|date=July 2025}}

== Aims ==

The stated aim, or goal of ''japa'' may vary greatly depending on the mantra involved and the religious philosophy of the practitioner. In both [[Buddhist]] and [[Hindu]] traditions mantras may be given to aspirants by their [[guru]], after some form of [[initiation]]. The stated goal could be [[moksha]], [[nirvana]], [[bhakti]], or simple personal communion with a divine power in a similar way to prayer. Many [[gurus]] and other spiritual teachers, and other religious leaders, especially Hindu and Buddhist, teach that these represent different names for the same transformed state of consciousness. However, this claim is not made about mantras that are not intended for spiritual growth and self-realization.{{efn|For example, when used for [[magic (paranormal)|magical]] or [[occult]] purposes.}}

After long use of a mantra that is intended to foster self-realization or intimacy with a divine power, an individual may reach a state of ''[[ajapa japa]]'', or {{lit|repetitionless repetition}}, wherein the mantra "repeats itself" in the mind.{{sfnp|Easwaran|2008}} Similar states have been reached by adherents to other major faith traditions, using prayers from their own traditions.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

== Analogues in other traditions ==
Some [[Catholic]] prayer forms that involve repetition, such as the use of the [[Rosary]] or one of various [[Chaplet (Prayer)|chaplets]], are similar to ''japa'', such as [[Hesychasm]] in [[Eastern Christianity]], although the practices are not identical because their aims differ. Mental methods of repeated short prayers, very similar to ''japa'' are also used in Christian traditions, most notably the practice of repeating the [[Jesus Prayer]] found in the [[Eastern Orthodox]] Church.{{sfnp|Oman|Driskill|2003|pp=5-19}}{{sfnp|Sjögren|1996}} Moreover, the goal of ''ajapa japa'' is quite similar to the Christian aim of "unceasing prayer". The practice of ''[[dhikr]]'' by [[Sufis]] is similar to ''japa''.{{Citation needed|date=February 2016}} The two main Sikh scriptures open with sections named after the term, and these are called [[Japji Sahib]] and [[Jaap Sahib]].{{sfnp|Singha|2009|p=110}}

== See also ==
{{commons category|Japa}}
'''Popular Japa mantras'''
{{div col|colwidth=15em}} 
*[[Om]]
*[[Mahamrityunjaya Mantra|Mahamrityunjaya (mantra)]]
*[[Om Namah Sivaya]]
*[[Gayatri Mantra|Gayatri (mantra)]]
*[[Hare Krishna (mantra)]]
*[[Daimoku|Nam-myōhō-renge-kyō]]
*[[Om Mani Padme Hum]]
*[[Vishnu|Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya]]
*[[Narayana|Om Namo Narayanaya]]
*[[Tara (Buddhism)|Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha]]
*[[Ram Nam|Sri Ram Jay Ram Jay Jay Ram]]
*[[Swaminarayan Mantra|Swaminarayan (mantra)]]
{{div col end}}

'''General'''
{{div col|colwidth=15em}} 
*[[Ajapa japa]]
*[[Japamala]]
*[[Nama sankeerthanam]]
*[[Nembutsu]]
*[[Pranava yoga]]
*[[Dhikr]]
*[[Hesychasm]]
*[[Jesus Prayer]]
*[[Meditation]]
*[[Prayer]]
{{div col end}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|15em}}

== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin|2}}
* {{cite book |last1=Alper |first1=Harvey P. |title=Understanding Mantras |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V8Upy4ApG_oC |year=1991 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass | isbn=978-81-208-0746-4| page=440}}
* {{cite book |last1=Apte |first1=Vaman Shivaram |title=A Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary |year=1890 |page=447}}
* {{cite book |last1=Ashley |first1=Thomas |title=Chakra Mantras: Liberate Your Spiritual Genius Through Chanting |edition=1 |date=2006 |publisher=Farrand Weiser Books |location=San Francisco |isbn=9781578633678 |page=11}}
* {{cite book |last1=Beck |first1=Guy L. |title=Sonic Theology: Hinduism and Sacred Sound |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZgybmMnWpaUC |year=1995 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-1261-1|pages=92–93, 132–134}}
* {{cite web |author=BhaktiratnaSadhu |url=https://raadhaa.com/d/119-harinam-japa-and-nityananda-gunjan-should-be-upamshu-or-very-soft |website=raadhaa.com |title=Hare Krishna Japa Should be Upamshu or Very Soft |date=17 January 2020 |access-date=2020-02-09 |archive-date=2020-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024143149/https://raadhaa.com/d/119-harinam-japa-and-nityananda-gunjan-should-be-upamshu-or-very-soft |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |last1=Chapple |first1=Christopher Key |title=Yoga in Jainism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1TrbCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT311 |year=2015 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-317-57217-6 |pages=311–312}}
* {{cite book |last1=Dasgupta |first1=Shashi Bhushan |last2=Dasgupta |first2=Sashibhusan |title=An Introduction to Tāntric Buddhism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UwMLAAAAYAAJ |year=1958 |publisher=Calcutta University Press |pages=167–168}}
* {{cite book |last1=Deol |first1=S |year=1998 |title=Japji: The Path of Devotional Meditation |isbn=978-0966102703 |page=11|publisher=Mount Meru Books }}
* {{cite book |last1=Easwaran |first1=Eknath |author-link=Eknath Easwaran |year=2008 |orig-year=1977 |title=[[Mantram Handbook]] |edition=5th |location=Tomales, CA |publisher=Nilgiri Press |isbn=978-1-58638-028-1}}
* {{cite book |last1=Keshavadas |first1=Sant |title=Gāyatrī, the Highest Meditation |date=1990 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=9788120806979 |page=16}}
* {{cite book |last1=Kohli |first1=S.S. |title=The Sikh and Sikhism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ED0syBKqafMC&pg=PA33 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers |pages=33–34 |year=1993}}
* {{cite book |last1=Monier-Williams |first1=Monier |author-link=Monier Monier-Williams |title=Sanskṛit-English dictionary: etymologically and philologically arranged with special reference to cognate Indo-European languages |year=2005 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |location=Delhi |isbn=978-8120831056 |edition=Corrected |page=412 |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/mw/0400/mw__0445.html}}
* {{cite book |last1=Padoux |first1=Andre |title=Tantric Mantras: Studies on Mantrasastra |edition=1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OtqrAgAAQBAJ |year=2011 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-70757-5 |pages=31–53}}
* {{cite book |last1=Sjögren |first1=Per-Olof |orig-year=1966 |year=1996 |title=The Jesus prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy upon me |edition=3 |location=London |publisher=Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge |isbn=0-281-04957-2}}
* {{cite book |last1=Poddar |first1=Hanumanprasad |year=1975 |title=The divine name and its practice |edition=13th |location=Gorakhpur, India |publisher=Gita Press |asin=B0007ALM2S}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Oman |first1=Doug |last2=Driskill |first2=Joseph D. |year=2003 |url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hlh&AN=9548050&site=ehost-live |title=Holy name repetition as a spiritual exercise and therapeutic technique |journal=[[Journal of Psychology and Christianity]] |volume=22 |issue=1 |pages=5–19}}
* {{cite book |last1=Raghavan |first1=V. |title=The Power of the Sacred Name: Indian Spirituality Inspired by Mantras |date=2011 |publisher=World Wisdom, Inc |isbn=9781935493969 |page=43}}
* {{cite book |last1=Saraswati |first1=Krishnananda |author-link=Krishnananda Saraswati |title=Facets of Spirituality: Dialogues and Discourses of Swami Krishnananda |date=1986 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |location=Delhi |isbn=9788120800878 |page=181}}
* {{cite book |last1=Saraswati |first1=Sivananda |author-link=Sivananda Saraswati |title=Japa Yoga: a comprehensive treatise on mantra-sastra |date=1981 |publisher=Divine Life Society |location=Shivanandanagar, India |isbn=81-7052-018-5 |url=http://www.dlshq.org/teachings/japayoga.htm}}
* {{cite book |last1=Singha |first1=HS |year=2009 |title=The Encyclopedia of Sikhism |publisher=Hemkunt Press |page=110 |isbn=978-8170103011}}
* {{cite book |last1=Tulpule |first1=Shankar Gopal |year=1991 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X37XAAAAMAAJ&q=8185182507 |title=The Divine name in the Indian tradition |location=New Delhi, India |publisher=Indus Publishing Company / Indian Institute of Advanced Study |isbn=81-85182-50-7}}
* {{cite web |title=How is It Possible to Chant While Performing Various Activities? |url=https://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/spiritual-practice/steps-of-spiritual-practice/chanting/chanting-while-performing-activities |website=www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org |publisher=Spiritual Science Research Foundation |date=n.d. |access-date=14 August 2020 |ref={{harvid|SSRF|n.d.}}}}
{{refend}}

{{Worship in Hinduism}}
{{Vaishnava philosophy}}

[[Category:Hindu prayer and meditation]]
[[Category:Language and mysticism]]
[[Category:Mantras]]
[[Category:Meditation]]
[[Category:Tantric practices]]