Detailed Introduction
Six syllables, "Om Mani Padme Hum," form the root heart mantra of Avalokitesvara (Guanyin) Bodhisattva -- one of the most widely spread, most often recited Buddhist mantras anywhere in the world. In Taiwan, practitioners of both the Chinese and the Tibetan Buddhist traditions keep it on their lips.
Meaning of the Six Syllables
Each syllable stands for one of Avalokitesvara's compassionate vows and works of liberation:
- Om: the three mysteries of the Buddha's body, speech, and mind; the primordial sound that begins every mantra, the fundamental vibration of the universe.
- Ma: the perfection of patience (kshanti paramita), dispelling jealousy and closing the gate to the realm of the asuras (demi-gods).
- Ni: the perfection of moral discipline (sila paramita), dispelling desire and easing the sufferings of the human realm.
- Pa: the perfection of diligence (virya paramita), dispelling ignorance and closing the gate to the animal realm.
- Dme (Me): the perfection of meditation (dhyana paramita), dispelling miserliness and closing the gate to the realm of hungry ghosts.
- Hum: the perfection of wisdom (prajna paramita), dispelling hatred and closing the gate to the hell realm.
Taken together, the six syllables picture Avalokitesvara using the wisdom and compassion of the six paramitas to rescue beings across all six realms from the cycle of rebirth.
Methods of Recitation
This is about the easiest mantra to take up -- no special place, time, or ritual required:
- It may be recited aloud (spoken or whispered) or silently (vajra recitation, lips barely moving with no audible sound).
- It may be counted on mala beads (108 to a round) or recited without counting.
- Walking, commuting, standing in line, drifting toward sleep -- any moment will do.
- A daily commitment of at least 108 is a good aim; dedicated practitioners recite a thousand or more.
- In Taiwan the most common pronunciation is "Om Ma Ni Ba Mi Hong"; the Tibetan reading differs a little (Om Mani Peme Hung).
Prayer Wheels
In the Tibetan tradition the six syllables are inscribed inside prayer wheels, and one turn of the wheel counts as a single recitation. Tibetan Buddhist centers in Taiwan usually keep prayer wheels for visitors to use, and in recent years small hand-held wheels have caught on, making the practice easier still. The Six-Syllable Mantra is also inscribed on prayer flags (lung ta, or wind-horse flags); as they flutter in the wind, they are believed to scatter its blessings in every direction.
Spread in Taiwan
In Taiwan this mantra crosses the line between the Chinese and Tibetan traditions -- nearly every Buddhist can recite it. You hear "Om Mani Padme Hum" at temple group practice, in daily personal devotions, and at the bedside chanting for the dying. Even Taiwanese who are not especially devout will recite it a few times when they feel unsettled, taking it as a kind of comfort and protection.