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Significance of Chanting

Chanting, according to Vaishnavism, involves numerous practices including the singing or reciting of holy names of the Lord, sacred verses, and mantras, particularly within a devotional context. This practice is integral to bhakti, enhancing worship and spiritual connection. It encompasses activities like chanting during rituals, repeating sacred names, and singing hymns, often accompanied by rituals like the chanting of 'Jaya Jaya.' Overall, chanting serves as a pathway to deepen devotion and spiritual experience across various traditions, including Purana, Vedanta, Mahayana, and Theravada.1
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Synonyms: Singing, Reciting, Murmuring, Repeating, Echoing, Incantation, Prayer., Mantra

In Dutch: Zingen; In Finnish: Laulaamassa; In Spanish: Cantando; In German: Singen

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Chanting'

Buddhism Books

Chanting in Buddhism is a spiritual practice of reciting names or texts for blessings and protection, enhances mental clarity, and fosters connection to Dhamma, promoting calmness and peace within individuals and groups.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)

(1) A vocal expression of spiritual practice involving repeated phrases or mantras to achieve clarity of mind and connection.[1]

From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Purvapranidhana Sutra

(1) The practice of reciting names or texts to invoke blessings, protection, and spiritual progress, particularly touching upon its significance in the Earth Store Sutra.[2]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Patipada (path of practice)

(1) Chanting is a practice where the citta is absorbed in the aspects of Dhamma, which can lead to calmness and peace, and it was a routine for Venerable Acharn and others, done individually or in groups.[3]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Hindu concept of 'Chanting'

Hinduism Books

Chanting in Hinduism encompasses the repetitive recitation of mantras and divine names, enhancing spiritual connection and devotion, embodying practices like bhakti, and serving as a vital component in rituals and worship.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) The rhythmic vocalization of religious or spiritual phrases.[4] (2) The act performed by Nityananda, likely as a form of devotion or prayer.[5] (3) The act of repetitively vocalizing or singing holy names in reverence.[6] (4) The act of vocalizing sacred words, in this case, 'Jaya Jaya,' as part of worship and celebration.[7] (5) The act of reciting or repeating sacred names or prayers, particularly in the context of devotion, which plays a crucial role in the practice of bhakti.[8]

From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

(1) The act of reciting or singing hymns or mantras, synonymous with sankirtana, which can be done alone or with others.[9] (2) The practice that the speaker engages in, during which he encounters obstacles regarding seeing the Lord.[10] (3) The act of singing or reciting the holy names of the Lord, particularly in a devotional context.[11] (4) The practice of repetitively uttering or reciting a specific mantra, which is central to deepening one's spiritual connection and experience.[12] (5) A spiritual practice involving the repetitive recitation of mantras or prayers, focused on the divine, such as Vasudeva.[13]

From: Bhajana-Rahasya

(1) The act of reciting or repeating the holy names as a form of devotion.[14] (2) The act of repetitively reciting mantras or prayers, especially using a japa-mala.[15]

From: Garga Samhita (English)

(1) The act of singing or reciting sacred verses or sounds during the bathing ritual.[16] (2) The act of reciting or repeating the mantra.[17]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu�).

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)

(1) Relates to Sama, which is the act of vocalization considered to be supported by the voice.[18]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).