So what's the moral of this story?
There's no right or wrong pronunciation of mantras because they work based on samaya with the Lama who passed the mantra down to us either through an oral transmission or an initiation. Therefore, we should recite the mantras that were passed down to us from the Lama or through the source we have received it from. The blessings flow from the lineage of the samaya.
I see, so as long we are sincere then the results will come. just like the tooth relic story above. So you would recommend I find myself a Guru so I can be sure I will get results from my pracitce?
Not too sure about Big Uncle's reply to this, but I would recommend that you do seek for a guru.
For me, without a guru I really wouldn't know where to start with my Dharma practice. I wouldn't know what practice would best suit me...... I may have strong connections with a certain practice based on my previous life. I wouldn't know if I'm going astray from my spiritual path either.
There are so many things that, due to my ignorance, laziness, and obscuration, I wouldn't know what I'm doing wrong.
Just like if I was to learn golf, I could hit the ball as many times as I want and let the ball fly in different directions. Unless I had a teacher who is watching me hit the ball, I wouldn't know what I'm doing wrong. He might see that the elbow should be lifted a little higher, or that a my follow-through isn't long enough.
Same with a teacher, he/she will be able to determine things that we ourselves can't. Not because they are on a big, white cloud, but because he/she have been on the spiritual path longer than we have. They have more knowledge and experience.
Of course, this is just on a very basic level. We're not even touching on their attainments, empowerment's etc
In this note, we should always respect all teachers... even if they are not "suited" for us.
Damian, to ensure that you gain results from your practice, I do recommend that you find a guru.