bhenry,
agreed. no one should rely on chanting alone if the goal is as lofty as enlightenment. i like to be skeptical of anyone's claims, and i would never put all of my eggs in one basket. besides chanting there is the acquisition of knowledge of the essence of the teachings, devotional practice and surrender to the divine, releasing attachments, meditation, satsang, darshan with a genuine master. mantras are often a form of prayer (to whom is often a good question) which you could spend a lifetime or so reciting but are not absolutely necessary for everyone.
