Tibetan Buddhists believe that saying the mantra (prayer), Om Mani Padme Hum, out loud or silently to oneself, invokes the powerful benevolent attention and blessings of Chenrezig, the embodiment of compassion. Viewing the written form of the mantra is said to have the same effect -- it is often carved into stones, like the one pictured above, and placed where people can see them.

Spinning the written form of the mantra around in a Mani wheel (or prayer wheel) is also believed to give the same benefit as saying the mantra, and Mani wheels, small hand wheels and large wheels with millions of copies of the mantra inside, are found everywhere in the lands influenced by Tibetan Buddhism.

OM MANI PADME HUM
Lecture Given by The Tripitaka Master Hsuan Hua

These six characters together make up the Six Character Great Bright Mantra, each one individually is able to emit brilliant light.

The first character is "nan" (in Sanskrit:Om). When you recite "nan" once, all ghosts and spirits must place their palms together. Why do they put their palms together? To maintain the rules and regulations, they follow the correct way. Recite this one character and all ghosts and spirits do not dare rebel and create confusion: they do not dare disobey orders. This is the first sound in the Mantra.

"Mani" (in Sanskrit:Mani), means "silent wisdom". Using wisdom one is able to understand all principles, and thus is able to be silently extingushed, without production. It is also defined as "separating the filth" which means leaving all dust and filth. It can be compared to the "precious as you will pearl" which is extremely pure, with no defilement. Whatever excellence you wish to bring forth, if you have the "precious as you will pearl" it can be done. It can also fulfill your wishes in accord with your thoughts. Every vow you make will be fulfilled. These are the benefits.

"Pa mi" (in Sanskrit:padme) actually should read "pa t'e mi". It means "light perfectly illuminating" and is also defined as "the opening of the lotus". It is analogous to the wondeful lotus flower which can complete, perfect and fulfill without obstruction. It is the wonderful mind of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. This is "pa mi".

Next comes "hung"(in Sanskrit:Hum) which means "put forth". Anything at all can be born from this character "hung". It also means "to protect and support". Recite this character and all Dharma protectors and good spirits come to support and protect you. It also means "eradicating disasters". Recite this character and whatever difficulties there are will be eradicated. It also means "success" whatever you cultivate can be accomplished.

Recite the Six Character Great Bright Mantra once and the immeasureable Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Vajra Dharma protectors constantly support and protect you. Therefore, when Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva finished saying this Six Character Great Bright Mantra, there were seven million Buddhas who came to support, protect and surround him. The strength and ability of the Six Character Great Bright Mantra are inconceivable, the interwining of the response and way imaginable, therefore it is called the Secret School. If one were to explain in detail, the meanings would be immeasureable and unlimited they cannot be completely spoken.

The True Sound of Truth

An old story speaks about a similar problem. 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.