Lesson 4: Na Mo Ta Mo Ta Mo Da Ra Houng – No-Self and Humility

Theme: No-Self and Humility

1. Humility as Truth

​Humility is often misunderstood as self-deprecation or weakness. In the Buddhist sense, humility is truth — the recognition that there is no separate “self” to elevate or defend.

When the personal mind opens into the vast, universal mind, the illusion of separateness begins to dissolve. The small self that clings, competes, and wants recognition gives way to the clear, compassionate awareness that simply is.

“When my mind opens to the universal mind, the wisdom that unfolds can touch the universal truth in others.”
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Humility, then, is the fragrance of awakening — the natural state of a mind that no longer needs to grasp at being “the one who knows.”

2. Inspiration vs. Ownership

​When preparing a teaching about Mu A Mu Sa and childhood healing, inspiration flowed freely. The topic aligned beautifully with the teacher, and the lesson touched many hearts. But afterward, when praise arose, so did the subtle desire to take credit.

This is the dance between wisdom and ego, inspiration and pride. Inspiration comes from beyond — from the universal field of awareness. We are the instruments, not the composers.

Many years ago, I saw a movie called Amadeus about Mozart. At some point in the movie, he was asked, “Where do you get your ideas, your inspiration for the music you compose?” He answered, “I just hear it in my mind, and write down what I hear.”

Dharma, the wisdom and knowledge of universal compassion, is always speaking, playing, and awakening. We just need to be aware.

“It’s like listening to music and knowing when the note is right — as if I am listening to someone else composing through me.”

When we try to claim the song as “mine,” the music falters. When we surrender, the melody flows again. Similarly, when we are critical of others, thinking, “They did it wrong, or I could do it better” — that is another example. But it could be that we are being inspired to do things differently, and each of us is playing our own melody from which the music can be heard.

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3. We Are the Instruments

Think of yourself as a handcrafted instrument — the product of many lifetimes of effort.
Some instruments are finely tuned; others still rough. Yet the music — the Dharma — comes from beyond all instruments.

Through Na Mo Ta Mo Ta Mo Da Ra Houng, we learn to hear when we play a “flat note.” Moments of irritation, pride, or self-importance are signals that we need to tune our strings again — with mindfulness, compassion, and honesty.
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“Na Mo Ta Mo Ta Mo Da Ra Houng helps us hear when we hit a bad note — helping us see where we need to tune our instrument.”

Group Reflection

Discussion Prompts

1. What does humility look like when there is “no I” to defend or promote?
2. Can you recall a time when inspiration flowed freely through you? How did it feel different from when the “I” took over?
3. How does the mantra Na Mo Ta Mo Ta Mo Da Ra Houng help you recognize or release pride, attachment, or self-clinging?
4. In your daily life, what are some ways to “tune” your instrument when you notice a flat note?

Practice Exercise: “Swapping the I"

Invite participants to choose a simple activity this week — perhaps preparing food, speaking in a group, or writing something creative.

As they do it, silently repeat the mantra:
Na Mo Ta Mo Ta Mo Da Ra Houng.

Then observe:

• When does the thought “I am doing this” or perhaps more often, the thought “He/she is doing it wrong” appear?
• What happens when that thought dissolves, and the action flows naturally?

Afterward, reflect:
“When I disappear, what remains is just the doing — calm, humble, complete.”

Closing Meditation

Sit together in silence, holding the mantra softly in the heart.

Visualize your mind as a simple, beautiful instrument being tuned by the gentle vibration of the mantra.

Each note — pride, anger, or confusion — is adjusted back into harmony with the universal sound.
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End with a collective recitation:
🕉 Na Mo Ta Mo Ta Mo Da Ra Houng
“May I dissolve into the music of truth.”