The Mantra Om Mani Padme Hum (mantra of Chenrezig)
The Mani mantra is the most widely used of all Buddhist mantras, and open to anyone who feels inspired to practice it — it does not require prior initiation by a lama (meditation master).
The mantra originated in India; as it moved from India into Tibet, the pronunciation changed because some of the sounds in the Indian Sanskrit language were hard for Tibetans to pronounce.
Om Mani Padme Hum
( Jewel of Enlightenment is in the Heart Lotus )
Om Mani Padme Hum
Think:
May all beings have happiness and the cause
of happiness, which is virtue
Om Mani Padme Hum
Pray:
May all beings remain free from suffering and the causes of suffering, which are non-virtue and delusion
Om Mani Padme Hum
Wish:
May all beings remain un-separated from the sacred
joy and happiness, that is totally free from sorrow
Om Mani Padme Hum
Pray:
May all beings come to rest in the boundless, all-inclusive equanimity, beyond attachment and aversion
Om Mani Padme Hum
Affirm:
May all beings be happy, content, and fulfilled
Om Mani Padme Hum
May all be peaceful, in harmony, and at ease
Om Mani Padme Hum
May all be protected from harm, fear, and danger
Om Mani Padme Hum
May all have whatever they want, need, and aspire to
Om Mani Padme Hum
May all be healed and whole again
Om Mani Padme Hum
May this planet be healed and whole again
Om Mani Padme Hum
May all beings awaken from their sleep of illusions and be liberated, enlightened, and free
Om Mani Padme Hum
May all realize their true spiritual nature and thus awaken the Buddha within
Om Mani Padme Hum
May all equally enjoy, actualize, and embody the innate Great Perfection
Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum
14th Dalai Lama
“om mani padme hūṃ”, written in Tibetan script on a rock outside the Potala Palace in Tibet
Khyongla Rato Rinpoche teaching on “Om Mani Padme Hum” on September 22nd, 2014, at The Tibet Center, NYC
“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 factors of method: (the) altruistic intention to become enlightened, compassion, and love.[…]”
“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[…]”
“Thus the six syllables, om mani padme hum, mean that in dependence on the practice of a path which is an indivisible union of method and wisdom, you can transform your impure body, speech, and mind into the pure exalted body, speech, and mind of a Buddha[…]”
The True Sound of Truth
A devoted meditator, after years concentrating on a particular mantra, had attained enough insight to begin teaching. The student’s humility was far from perfect, but the teachers at the monastery were not worried.
A few years of successful teaching left the meditator with no thoughts about learning from anyone; but upon hearing about a famous hermit living nearby, the opportunity was too exciting to be passed up.
The hermit lived alone on an island at the middle of a lake, so the meditator hired a man with a boat to row across to the island. The meditator was very respectful of the old hermit. As they shared some tea made with herbs the meditator asked him about his spiritual practice. The old man said he had no spiritual practice, except for a mantra which he repeated all the time to himself. The meditator was pleased: the hermit was using the same mantra he used himself — but when the hermit spoke the mantra aloud, the meditator was horrified!
“What’s wrong?” asked the hermit.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m afraid you’ve wasted your whole life! You are pronouncing the mantra incorrectly!”
“Oh, Dear! That is terrible. How should I say it?”
The meditator gave the correct pronunciation, and the old hermit was very grateful, asking to be left alone so he could get started right away. On the way back across the lake the meditator, now confirmed as an accomplished teacher, was pondering the sad fate of the hermit.
“It’s so fortunate that I came along. At least he will have a little time to practice correctly before he dies.” Just then, the meditator noticed that the boatman was looking quite shocked, and turned to see the hermit standing respectfully on the water, next to the boat.
“Excuse me, please. I hate to bother you, but I’ve forgotten the correct pronunciation again. Would you please repeat it for me?”
“You obviously don’t need it,” stammered the meditator; but the old man persisted in his polite request until the meditator relented and told him again the way he thought the mantra should be pronounced.
The old hermit was saying the mantra very carefully, slowly, over and over, as he walked across the surface of the water back to the island.
lpb quest - the twilight dance 