Opening ourselves up to learning more about other cultures and other spiritual practices is something that I think is so important when you walk a path like Paganism.  I have personally have a long interest in Buddhism but found after exploring it on a deeper level that it wasn’t the religious path for me, but to this day I still pull on a lot of Buddhist ideas and philosophies in my personal practice. One such thing, one that I see pop up around the global spiritual world a good deal, is the use of a Buddhist mantra known as Om Mani Padme Hum.

Om Mani Padme Hum is one of the most common mantras found in Tibet and is recited, used on prayer wheels and painted onto rocks.  It is believed in Tibetan Buddhism that the essence of all the Buddha’s teachings can be found within this manta.  The literal meaning of the mantra is “Aum, to the Jewel in the Lotus” or “Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus”.  The prayer can be said to oneself, aloud or silently, as a single mantra in a chant form, but it also has a song form as well which is often used in a group setting.  It is thought that by practicing this mantra the power of Chenrezi, the Tibetan deity of protection and the Bodhisattva of Compassion are called on and evoked.  By repeating the mantra it is believed that one can purify the mind and body and surround oneself with protection.

OM symbolizes the impurity in one’s body, mind and speech and draws in the nobility of the Buddha’s mind, body and spirit.  In Buddhism it is believed that an impure body, mind and speech can be made pure by the Buddha through cleanings of impurities which will enlightened the individual’s path.  By repeating OM we can maintain mental and emotional calmness and overcome difficult obstacles.

MANI means “jewel”and symbolizes the compassion and love of the Buddha as well as the intentions to become enlightened.  Reciting MANI helps one to perfect patience and find within oneself pure ethics and tolerance.

PADME means “lotus” and is a symbol of wisdom in Buddhist traditions.  The lotus grows from mud but is not sustained by it, much like the enlightened individual.  We may grow from our personal and spiritual “mud” but it does not sustain our journey.  PADME helps with the work of achieving perfection, perseverance and concentration.  We may live in the world but we are not affected by it’s impurities.

HUM means “inseparability” as well as symbolizing purity.  By reciting HUM we work to achieve this state by creating and working within the unity of method and wisdom.  We work to use a method of peace, compassion and tolerance while coming from a place of wisdom.

Together the chant helps to bring joy and peace, creating and resonating their vibrations within yourself and from yourself to others.  It can be used in a time when protection or compassion are needed to deal with a situation or as a daily mantra prayer to draw these energies around you one a regular basis.

Pronunciation: Ohm – Ma Nee – Pod May – Hum

This video will give you an example of how it is pronounced and often chanted.  This is a long meditation piece (33 minutes), so you certainly don’t need to watch the whole thing to get the understanding of the mantra, but you might find yourself drawn into it. 🙂

 

 

(this post originally appeared as a guest piece written by me  for the blog “Within The Mists” February 22, 2010)