Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum
ॐ मणिपद्मे हूँ
Om mani padme hum is an ancient mantra that is related to the bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteshvara, and with therefore the Dalai Lama, who is considered to be an incarnation of Avalokiteshvara.
It is very good to recite the mantra Om mani padme hum, but while you are doing it, you should be thinking on its meaning, for the meaning of the six syllables is great and vast.
The mantra has also been interpreted as – behold, the jewel in the lotus within or praise to the jewel in the lotus.
In Tibetan, "Chenrezig po kang chen pay lha kyel," means: “Chenrezig is the Tibetans' Buddha.” By practicing Chenrezig's mantra, Tibetans believe that they can accumulate merit and purify delusions.
The six-syllabled Sanskrit mantra is particularly associated with the four-armed Shadakshari form of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. It first appeared in the Mahayana Kāraṇḍavyūhasūtra where it is also referred to as the sadaksara (six syllabled) and the paramahrdaya, or "innermost heart" of Avalokiteshvara.
This mantra is seen as condensed form of all the Buddhist teachings. The first word Aum/Om is a sacred syllable in various Indian religions. The word Mani means "jewel" or "bead", Padme is the "lotus flower" (the Eastern sacred flower), and Hum represents the spirit of enlightenment. In Tibetan Buddhism, this is the most ubiquitous mantra and the most popular form of religious practice, performed by laypersons and monastics alike. It is also an ever present feature of the landscape, commonly carved onto rocks, known as mani stones, painted into the sides of hills or else it is written on prayer flags and prayer wheels.
Due to the increased interactions between Chinese Buddhists and Tibetans and Mongolians during the 11th century, the mantra also entered Chinese Buddhism. The mantra has also been adapted into Chinese Taoism.
It is very good to recite the mantra Om mani padme hum, but while you are doing it, you should be thinking on its meaning, for the meaning of the six syllables is great and vast.
- The first, OM – symbolizes the practitioner's impure body, speech, and mind; it also symbolizes the pure exalted body, speech, and mind of a Buddha. The path is indicated by the next four syllables.
- MANI, meaning jewel, symbolizes the altruistic intention to become enlightened, compassionate and loving.
- The two syllables, PADME, meaning lotus, symbolize wisdom.
- Purity must be achieved by an indivisible unity of method and wisdom, symbolized by the final syllable HUM, which indicates indivisibility.
The mantra has also been interpreted as – behold, the jewel in the lotus within or praise to the jewel in the lotus.
Tibetan & Chinese Buddhism
Tibetans, who typically pronounce the mantra as "Om mani peme hung," believe that Avalokiteshvara, who we call Chenrezig, has a very special connection with Tibetans as our protector.In Tibetan, "Chenrezig po kang chen pay lha kyel," means: “Chenrezig is the Tibetans' Buddha.” By practicing Chenrezig's mantra, Tibetans believe that they can accumulate merit and purify delusions.
The six-syllabled Sanskrit mantra is particularly associated with the four-armed Shadakshari form of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. It first appeared in the Mahayana Kāraṇḍavyūhasūtra where it is also referred to as the sadaksara (six syllabled) and the paramahrdaya, or "innermost heart" of Avalokiteshvara.
This mantra is seen as condensed form of all the Buddhist teachings. The first word Aum/Om is a sacred syllable in various Indian religions. The word Mani means "jewel" or "bead", Padme is the "lotus flower" (the Eastern sacred flower), and Hum represents the spirit of enlightenment. In Tibetan Buddhism, this is the most ubiquitous mantra and the most popular form of religious practice, performed by laypersons and monastics alike. It is also an ever present feature of the landscape, commonly carved onto rocks, known as mani stones, painted into the sides of hills or else it is written on prayer flags and prayer wheels.
Due to the increased interactions between Chinese Buddhists and Tibetans and Mongolians during the 11th century, the mantra also entered Chinese Buddhism. The mantra has also been adapted into Chinese Taoism.
