What mantras should lay people recite?

[Gami47]

[SarathW]

There are many:
-Anicca. Dukkha,Anatta and Asubha


- “Sabbapāpassa akaraṇaṃ,kusalassa upasampadā;Sacitta pariyo dapanaṃ,etaṃ buddhāna sāsanaṃ“


-tipiso bhagava araham sammasambuddho vijjacaranasampanno sugato lokavidu anuttato purisadammasarathi sattha devamanussanam buddho bhagavati Svakkhato bhagavata dhammo sanditthiko akaliko ehipassiko opanayiko paccattam veditabbo vinnuhiti Supatipanno bhagavato savakasangho ujipatipanno bhagavato savakasangho nayapatipanno bhagavato savakasangho samicipatipannao bhagavato savakasangho Yadidam: Cattari purisayugani attha purisapuggala esa bhagavato savakasangho ahuneyyo pahuneyyo dakkhineyyo anjalikaraniyo anuttaram punnakkhettam lokassati.

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

Mantras are not really used in Theravāda Buddhism.

The only example that I know of is the one taught to Cūḷapanthaka Thera, who had difficulty remembering even a single verse. The Buddha taught him to recite: ‘Removing the dirt’ (rajoharanaṃ) while rubbing a white cloth. In time, the cloth became soiled by the dirt from his own body, and he gained insight.

Reciting verses and suttas, however, is commonly used for protection from danger, to learn the teachings, or to serve as a subject for meditation, such as reflection on the virtues of the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha as mentioned by Sarath.

After memorising the words, one should study the meaning to meditate effectively on each virtue.

[TRobinson465]

From my understanding particular mantras dont really matter that much. Its just a tool to cut thru the chatter in your head. Mantras arent found too much in the texts but established meditation traditions usually have one. I'd just use the one they recommend if you are using a technique that calls for one.

[Sha Bac]

A great mahayana mantra is CHENREZIG. it has a powerful effect on your emotions.

[Ontheway]

There is no mantra in Theravada. Strictly speaking, the word "Rajoharanam" is simply "removing the dirt" as mentioned above, not a mystic mantra.

But we have parittas. There are verses and Suttas have protective powers, such as Ratanasutta, Dhajaggasutta, and Karaniyamettasutta.