The six-syllable mantra, “Om Mani Padme Hum,” is the heart mantra of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara (Chenrezig).
The Essence of Om Mani Padme Hum
This mantra carries the boundless blessings and compassion of all Buddhas. It is the sonic manifestation of their compassion and wisdom. Its meaning is incredibly rich, profoundly mysterious, and embodies the vast power, wisdom, and compassion of the universe. “Om Mani Padme Hum” is the subtle, essential heart of Avalokiteśvara, and its constant recitation brings inconceivable merit and benefit.
A Spiritual Journey in the Shadow of Potala Palace
In the fragrant mist of Sanskrit chants,
In the deep recesses of my mind,
I hear your voice,
Gazing into your eyes,
I see clearly,
My own steadfast direction.
Not toward mountains,
Nor toward heaven,
But toward your pure and solemn gaze.
The Cycle of Life and Death
Oh, A’lai, I ask you,
How many souls are born with the recitation of the six-syllable mantra?
How many pass into the next life with its sacred sound?
Within these six sacred syllables,
What secrets of Avalokiteśvara are hidden,
For all living beings?
Finding Purity Amidst Suffering
You say, when you are troubled,
Chant “Om Mani Padme Hum.”
Your heart, within the mud,
Will bloom into a lotus flower.
From this lotus,
You will see the thousand-armed Avalokiteśvara.
The world may be mud,
But it is enough if your heart is a lotus.
Prayers on the Wind
Oh, A’lai, I ask you,
The prayer flags fluttering on the high mountains,
The prayer banners on the roofs of nomad tents,
Why do they dance day and night,
So close to heaven?
A Compassionate Heart
You say, the prayer flags,
Are embroidered with “Om Mani Padme Hum,”
Praying for those nearby,
For those traveling far away,
For all sentient beings,
May all in the world,
Have a compassionate heart.
Compassion,
Is Avalokiteśvara.
The Mystery of the Prayer Wheels
Oh, A’lai, I ask you,
The almost immovable prayer wheels at the main gate of Jokhang Temple,
The hand-turned prayer wheels circling the Potala Palace walls,
The mani wheels spun by hands coated in yak butter,
What mysteries do they hold,
That we mere mortals do not know?
Finding Inner Peace
You say, inside each prayer wheel,
Is “Om Mani Padme Hum,”
With every turn,
The heart is calmed,
Not clinging to the past,
Nor worrying about the future,
Tranquility,
Is the Tathagata.
Markers of Faith
Oh, A’lai, I ask you,
Along the paths of pilgrimage,
The mani stones,
Standing between mountains,
And between stupas,
Are they signs of faith or longing?
Guiding the Lost
You say, at the passes,
At the crossroads, at the river crossings,
Locals mark the way for those who are lost,
By placing stones,
As they recite the mantra,
And toss them onto the mani piles,
Each stone,
Carries “Om Mani Padme Hum.”
Love and Freedom from Suffering
One stone,
One blessing,
Without deep love,
There is no life in this world.
May all people,
No longer be burdened,
By the joys and sorrows of life.
Freedom from worry,
Is the Buddha.
Pilgrims of Peace
Oh, A’lai, I ask you,
On the great road to Lhasa,
How many people prostrate themselves,
Crawling all the way,
Their expressions,
Without fatigue,
Without joy,
Only peace,
A peace, like entering a realm without people.
A Journey of Devotion
They cross mountain after mountain,
Taking three steps for every prostration,
Their faces covered in dust,
Yet they do not carry a single expression of sadness,
In their eyes,
The waters of Lake Namtso shine,
The skies of the Himalayas sparkle.
Praying for All
You say, the pilgrims,
Prostrate with each step,
Reciting “Om Mani Padme Hum,”
They pray,
Not just for themselves,
Nor even just their families,
But for all those they have not met.
A Peaceful Heart
May all in the world,
When impermanence comes,
Possess a peaceful heart.
A peaceful heart,
Is Shakyamuni.
The Essence of Compassion
Amidst the flickering butter lamps,
And the roaring chants of sutras,
Love and pain,
Are both met with calm and composure.
I offer a white Khata,
To you,
Who has bestowed it upon all.
The Cycle of Rebirth
In the silhouette of your crimson robes,
I see my past lives,
And my present life,
And the living beings of this world, who should never be desecrated,
Whoever understands the people of the world,
Cannot help, but feel deep within their souls,
Awe and humility.
Because through understanding comes compassion.
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