Om mani padme hum Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Probably the most famous mantra of Buddhism, the six syllable mantra of the Bodhisattva of compassion Avalokiteshvara (Sanskrit: Chenrezig, Tibetan). This mantra is particularly associated with the four-armed Shadakshari form of Avalokiteshvara. The Dalai Lama is said to be an incarnation of Avalokiteshvara, and so the mantra is especially revered by his devotees.
Pronounciation
Here is the sound of the Mantra as chanted by a Tibetan refugee: Wave Format and Real Audio Format.
English transliteration
In english this mantra is transliterated differently depending on the schools of Buddhism as well as on individual teachers.
Possible transliterations include:
- Om Ma Ni Pe Me Hum
- Om Ma Ni Pad Mi Hung
Meaning
This mantra possesses many meanings, among them purification of the six realms of existence in suffering.
| Syllable | Purifies | Samsaric Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Om | bliss / pride | gods |
| Ma | jealousy / lust for entertainment | jealous gods |
| Ni | passion / desire | humans |
| Pe | stupidity / prejudice | animals |
| Me | poverty / possessiveness | hungry ghosts |
| Hung | aggression / hatred | hell |
Karandavyuha Sutra definition
The first known description of the mantra appears in the Karandavyuha Sutra, which is part of certain Mahayana canons such as the Tibetan canon. In this sutra,
Shakyamuni Buddha states: "This is the most beneficial mantra. Even I made this aspiration to all the million Buddhas and subsequently received this teaching from Buddha Amitabha." 1
This is an Article on Om mani padme hum. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About Om mani padme hum Gen Rinpoche's definition
Donald Lopez's definition
Donald Lopez gives a good discussion of this mantra and its various interpretations in his book (ISBN 0226493113). Lopez is an authoritative writer and challenges the stereotypical analysis of the mantra as meaning "The Jewel in the Lotus", an interpretation that is not supported by either a linguistic analysis, nor by Tibetan tradition. He suggests that Manipadme is actually the name of a bodhisattva, a form of Avalokiteshvara who has many other names in any case including Padmapani or lotus flower in hand. The Brahminical insistence on absolutely correct pronunciation of Sanskrit broke down as Buddhism was exported to other countries where the inhabitants found it impossible to reproduce the sounds. So in Tibet for instance, where this mantra is on the lips of many Tibetans all their waking hours, the mantra is pronounced Om mani peme hum.Karma Thubten Trinley's definition
Karma Thubten Trinley says, "These are the six syllables which prevent rebirth into the six realms of cyclic existence. It translates literally as 'OM the jewel in the lotus Hung'. OM prevents rebirth in the god realm, MA prevents rebirth in the ASURA (TITAN) Realm, NI prevents rebirth in the HUMAN Realm, PAD prevents rebirth in the Animal Realm, MI prevents rebirth in the Hungry Ghost Realm, and Hum prevents rebirth in the Hell Realm."