Crossword Genius

Buddhist leader starts every class with sacred mantra, opening eyes to emerge transformed (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

become

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'mantra opening eyes to emerge transformed' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'buddhist leader starts every class with sacred' is the wordplay.
'leader' suggests taking the first letters.
'starts' suggests taking the first letters.
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'sacred' becomes 'ome' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
The first letter of 'buddhist' is 'b'.
The initial letters of 'every class' is 'ec'.
'b'+'ec'+'ome'='BECOME'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for become that I've seen before include "Evolve into; suit" , "Change into - suit" , "Metamorphose into it" , "Undergo a change or development" , "Grow to be" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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