Manjushri Mantra

The Manjushri Mantra

Sanskrit: Om Ara Pa Ca Na Dhih
Tibetan: Om A Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhi

The Manjushri Mantra Practice

[Multiplying Mantra] (Recite 3 times):
Om Sambhara Sambhara, Bimaana Sara,
Maha Java, Hung Phat, Soha.

[Refuge and Generating Bodhicitta] (Recite 3 times):
I take refuge until enlightenment in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
Through the merit of generosity and other practices, may I achieve Buddhahood for the benefit of all beings.

[Four Immeasurables] (Recite 3 times):
May all beings have happiness and its causes.
May all beings be free from suffering and its causes.
May all beings never be separated from the joy of happiness that is without suffering.
May all beings abide in equanimity, free from attachment and aversion.

After accumulating merit:

Ah,
In a moment within the realm of light,
Upon a lotus and moon seat, my own form,
As the youthful Manjushri, warrior of wisdom,
Golden, holding sword and text,
Adorned with the marks of Sambhogakaya, seated in the lotus posture,
At my heart, the seed syllable “dhih” revolves,
Radiating light, offering to the holy, cleansing the obscurations,
Gathering the two attainments,
Resting in the realm of awareness, empty in essence,
Om Ara Pa Ca Na Dhih… (Recite the mantra as much as you can)

[Dedication]:
Through this merit may I achieve omniscience, may I conquer the enemy of all faults.
From the stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death, may I free all beings from the ocean of existence.
Like the wisdom and courage of Manjushri, and the conduct of Samantabhadra,
I now dedicate my roots of virtue, to follow their example.
The best vows that are praised by the Buddhas of the three times,
I now dedicate my roots of virtue, to achieve the supreme conduct of Samantabhadra.
I dedicate my boundless and excellent merit of this supreme practice of Samantabhadra,
May all beings who are drowning, quickly reach the pure land of Amitabha.
May these aspiration prayers be fulfilled.
By the blessings of the three bodies of the Buddhas,
By the blessings of the unchanging truth of Dharma,
By the blessings of the irreversible aspiration of the Sangha,
May all of these prayers and aspirations be fulfilled.
Tadyatha, panjra, cheya, avabodhiniye, soha.

Benefits of Reciting the Manjushri Mantra

According to Buddhist scriptures, reciting the Manjushri Five-Syllable Mantra (also known as the Manjushri Wisdom Mantra) primarily eliminates karmic obstacles, brings inexhaustible eloquence, and fulfills all worldly and spiritual aspirations, leading to the attainment of wisdom.
Those who uphold this Dharani will enter the equality of all dharmas of the Tathagata, understanding all words as equal and quickly achieving Mahaprajna. Reciting it once is equivalent to upholding the entire Tripitaka of eighty-four thousand Sutras.
If one can seclude oneself in a quiet place, construct a five-syllable Sanskrit mandala, and recite it diligently for a month, Manjushri Bodhisattva will appear in person or expound Dharma in the sky. At that time, the practitioner will gain knowledge of past lives, unobstructed eloquence, miraculous powers, fulfill all aspirations, possess blessings and wisdom, and quickly realize the Dharmakaya of the Tathagata. With sincere faith, enlightenment can be attained within sixteen lifetimes.
Or, if one draws a picture as described above on silk or paper and recites the mantra five hundred thousand times, one can achieve the same results. Or, if one applies fragrant mud to a stupa and writes the five syllables in Sanskrit, circumambulating it while reciting five hundred thousand times, Manjushri will appear before them to teach the Dharma. They will be constantly protected by all Buddhas and Vajrapani Bodhisattva, and all aspirations will be fulfilled.
One recitation is equivalent to reciting the eighty-four thousand twelve Vedangas. Two recitations attract Manjushri and Samantabhadra, surrounded and blessed by the fourfold assembly, with compassionate, fearless Dharma protectors appearing before them.
One recitation can remove all suffering. Two recitations eradicate the heavy karmic sins of countless eons. Three recitations will manifest Samadhi, and four recitations will bestow total recall. Five recitations will swiftly lead to Supreme Enlightenment.
In situations of fear, one should focus the mind and recite this mantra, and fear will be eliminated.
When going to sleep, recite this mantra 108 times to have good dreams and understand omens.
If one suffers from malaria, recite this mantra 1,008 times while looking at the face of the afflicted person, and the illness will disappear.
If entering battle, write the mantra on a piece of bezoar and carry it on the body, then no swords, spears, or arrows can harm you.
When entering battle, draw a picture of Manjushri as a child riding on an elephant and lead the army, and the fierce and foolish enemy will naturally retreat. The picture should depict Manjushri as a child riding a golden peacock.
All beings who see this picture will have their four cardinal sins and five heinous crimes eradicated, they will have the opportunity to see Manjushri in his youthful form and receive his teaching, ultimately attaining liberation and Buddhahood.
Therefore, it is advisable to encourage all sentient beings to recite this mantra while walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, keeping it in their minds at all times, reciting it 108 times regularly, and not letting it be interrupted. By doing so, all beings will be drawn to you, and evil people will naturally retreat.
Reciting 108 times three times daily will fulfill all wishes and desires, granting wealth, freedom, and enjoyment of great happiness.
At the time of death, the holy Manjushri will appear, teach the profound Dharma, and fill the dying with joy. Having received this Samadhi, all defilements will be permanently eliminated. One will join the retinue of Manjushri and great Bodhisattvas, reaching the third Bhumi and making irreversible progress. One will then attain the same wisdom and Samadhi as Manjushri.
If a Bhikshu, Bhikshuni, Upasaka, or Upasika upholds, recites, copies, and practices this mantra, they will attain good fortune and fulfill their wishes in this lifetime, enjoy longevity, receive the love and respect of others, and generate deep faith.
After death, one will be reborn in the heavens and enjoy immeasurable happiness, or be reborn in a royal palace in a respected position, enjoying wealth, happiness, and freedom from sickness. One will be born with the knowledge of past lives, diminished greed, hatred, and ignorance, understand the law of cause and effect, and cherish the Buddha Dharma. Even in high positions, they will be without arrogance, and with the power of past karma, they will practice the Mahayana with a compassionate mind, helping all beings.
If one is born among humans, they will be noble and handsome, eloquent and articulate, loved by all, long-lived, and free from calamities. Their wishes will be fulfilled, and they will be trusted by all.

Reciting the Manjushri Mantra for Academic Success

If you wish to awaken your inner wisdom and discern what to do, recite the Manjushri mantra “Om Ara Pa Ca Na Dhih” with a focused mind. Especially for children during their studies, regular recitation of this mantra greatly assists their academic pursuits.

The Mahakrodha Tantra states that among all Bodhisattvas, Manjushri’s blessings are the greatest.

Currently, some people lack wisdom and the ability to discern right from wrong. If they frequently pray to Manjushri, not only will their immediate problems be solved, but they will also never be reborn as ignorant beings in future lives.

Manjushri Bodhisattva embodies the total wisdom of all Buddhas of the three times and is the eldest son of all Buddhas. The Extensive Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha records that even Shakyamuni Buddha generated the Bodhicitta before him in the past.

Mipham Rinpoche said that anyone who remembers Manjushri Bodhisattva can open the doors to all worldly and spiritual wisdom. Spiritual wisdom refers to realizing emptiness and boundless compassion, while worldly wisdom is the ability to understand the law of cause and effect and how to interact with others.

The Manjushri Buddha Land Adornment Sutra, the fifteenth chapter of the Ratnakuta Sutra, states that the merit of reciting the name of Manjushri Bodhisattva is greater than reciting the names of a million Buddhas.

Although Manjushri Bodhisattva appears as a Bodhisattva, he is actually an ancient Buddha. The Garland Sutra says, “Manjushri Bodhisattva has already attained Buddhahood.” The Manjushri Pure Land Adornment Sutra also says, “Manjushri Bodhisattva benefits all beings in the form of a Bodhisattva.”

Other scriptures say that “Manjushri Bodhisattva will become a Buddha in the future.” Therefore, it is understood that Manjushri Bodhisattva is the Buddha of the past, present, and future.

Although the merit of all Buddhas is equal, from the perspective of Manjushri’s unique vows, his power to awaken wisdom surpasses that of all other Buddhas.

Throughout history, many great masters in Tibet have had a great fondness for reciting the Manjushri Nama Samgiti and the Manjushri mantra.

No matter who you are or what your status is, as long as you practice the Manjushri path and recite the Manjushri mantra “Om Ara Pa Ca Na Dhih,” your wisdom will surely increase significantly, both in practicing the Dharma and in dealing with the world.

The Inconceivable Merit of Remembering Manjushri

The Root Tantra of Manjushri states, “Even remembering Manjushri Bodhisattva for a moment has inconceivable merit.”

Many people in the world lack wisdom and energy. If they frequently recite the Manjushri mantra and pray to Manjushri Bodhisattva, they will never be reborn as ignorant beings in future lives.

The Mahakrodha Tantra also states, “Among all Bodhisattvas, Manjushri’s blessings are the greatest; among all Buddha Mothers, the blessings of the Radiant Buddha Mother are the swiftest.”

The Manjushri Buddha Land Adornment Sutra, the fifteenth chapter of the Ratnakuta Sutra, also states that the merit of reciting the name of Manjushri Bodhisattva is greater than reciting the names of a million Buddhas.

The Extensive Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha also states that Shakyamuni Buddha generated the Bodhicitta before Manjushri Bodhisattva in his past life.

Manjushri Bodhisattva is the embodiment of the wisdom of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the three times, and the eldest son of all Buddhas. The Buddha often praised him in the scriptures.

If you frequently pray to Manjushri Bodhisattva and recite the mantra “Om Ara Pa Ca Na Dhih”, the immaculate Manjushri will surely protect you. Especially those who study this scripture will receive unimaginable blessings.

Therefore, everyone should pray to Manjushri Bodhisattva and Mipham Rinpoche. With the blessings of the yidam and Dharma protectors, your actions will surely be aligned with the Dharma, and you will understand what to adopt and what to reject.

Manjushri’s Unique Vow

The Garland Sutra states that the merit of reciting the name and mantra of Manjushri Bodhisattva surpasses that of reciting the names of billions of Buddhas. How should this be understood?

In terms of different benefits, the effects of certain Buddha names may vary. For example, reciting the name of the “Ratnaketu Buddha” into the ear of a dying person can prevent them from falling into the lower realms, a benefit not associated with other Buddha names.

Of course, this does not mean that other Buddhas do not possess such qualities, but rather that the Ratnaketu Buddha achieved this unique benefit through his specific vow, which is stated in the scriptures, while not stated about other Buddhas.

Similarly, in terms of awakening wisdom, the name and mantra of Manjushri Bodhisattva are superior. Although Manjushri Bodhisattva appears as a Bodhisattva, he is actually an ancient Buddha. The Garland Sutra states, “Manjushri Bodhisattva has already attained Buddhahood.”

The Manjushri Pure Land Adornment Sutra also says, “Manjushri Bodhisattva benefits all beings in the form of a Bodhisattva.”

Other scriptures say that “Manjushri Bodhisattva will become a Buddha in the future.” Therefore, it is understood that Manjushri Bodhisattva is the Buddha of the past, present, and future.

Although the merits of all Buddhas are naturally equal, in terms of Manjushri’s unique vows in his Bodhisattva stage, reciting the Manjushri mantra has far more power in awakening wisdom compared to the names of other Buddhas.

The Special Blessing Power of Manjushri

Seeking Manjushri’s blessings to awaken wisdom is crucial in our practice. Of course, some might think: “I can rely completely on Manjushri, so I don’t need to accumulate any merit or practice.” However, that is not the case.

We do need to accumulate merit, whether in this life or previous ones. If you don’t have any merit at all, then even with Manjushri’s great blessings, it will still be difficult.

While we accumulate our own merit, praying to Manjushri Bodhisattva certainly has incredible blessing power. Therefore, many of our Dharma friends often say: “When I can’t remember what I have read, I forget it quickly, I must awaken my wisdom and ask Manjushri to give me the blessing of perfect recall.”

Many people wish to attain wisdom, especially the teachers in our academy, who often spend days learning something, only to forget it completely after a few days, feeling discouraged.

They lose faith in themselves and also in the Dharma. But sometimes this is also related to the karma we have accumulated over many lifetimes.

Some people learn extremely well. Some Khenpos and Khenmos here have memorized many major and minor treatises, not just the Five Great Treatises, and they are very successful in their studies.

I noticed that lay practitioners in the cities don’t remember scriptures very well. One person said to me, “My memory is exceptional!” I asked, “Why?” They said, “I have memorized the entire Bodhicaryavatara from chapter nine onwards.”

It seems that memorizing the Bodhicaryavatara is very impressive, but at the academy, it’s relatively easier to memorize, with some reciting eighty or even a hundred verses a day and memorizing it in a few days.

I used to test them on their recitations, and the atmosphere for learning and practice in the academy is truly excellent, with everyone memorizing, teaching, or studying, no matter the time or place.

What I mean to say is that some people are born with innate wisdom, and when they come into this world, they are very proficient in any kind of knowledge. Some people may have very good worldly wisdom but are somewhat less sharp in terms of spiritual wisdom.

For example, they may remember worldly things very quickly, but when they hear the Dharma, they feel a bit slow; some remember the principles of the Dharma very easily but struggle with worldly things.

Therefore, there are often different kinds of beings with different aptitudes and inclinations. The Buddha also said in the scriptures that the aptitudes of sentient beings are vastly different, which is the reason for this.

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