buddhistcompassiontibetuniversal

Om Mani Padme Hum

ॐ मणि पद्मे हूं

🕉️ buddhist·📿 108× repetitions·🕐 Any time — traditionally chanted continuously throughout the day·📜 Karandavyuha Sutra

Origin & Story

Karandavyuha Sutra · Revealed by Buddha Shakyamuni · 4th-5th century CE (sutra composition)

According to the Karandavyuha Sutra, the Buddha taught this mantra as the essence of all compassion. It is the mantra of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva who vowed not to rest until every sentient being is freed from suffering. When his head split from the pain of witnessing endless suffering, Buddha Amitabha gave him eleven heads to see all beings, and a thousand arms to help them all. The mantra became the most chanted in Tibet after Buddhism arrived in the 7th century.

✦ As told in scripture

The Karandavyuha Sutra records that even the insects and animals who hear this mantra are freed from the lower realms. In Tibet, it is carved into stones (mani stones) throughout the landscape — millions of them — so that even the wind that passes over them carries the mantra's blessing to all beings. The Dalai Lama has stated that the cumulative compassion generated by this mantra over centuries has shaped the peaceful character of Tibetan civilization.

The Mantra

ॐ मणि पद्मे हूं

Om Ma-ni Pad-me Hum

Meaning:Om Mani Padme Hum cannot be translated into a simple phrase, but its essence is: "The jewel of enlightenment is in the lotus of the heart." Each of the six syllables purifies one of the six realms of existence — pride, jealousy, desire, ignorance, greed, and anger — and corresponds to one of the six perfections: generosity, ethics, patience, diligence, concentration, and wisdom.

Word-by-Word Meaning

Click any word to hear its pronunciation

ॐ🔊OmThe sacred syllable — represents the practitioner's impure body, speech and mind, and also the pure body, speech and mind of a Buddha

मणि🔊ManiJewel — symbolizes compassion, love, and the altruistic intention to become enlightened for the benefit of all beings

पद्मे🔊PadmeLotus — symbolizes wisdom, the understanding of impermanence and emptiness, growing pure from the mud of attachment

हूं🔊HumIndivisibility — the union of method (compassion) and wisdom, which can only be achieved through practice, not just intellect

ॐ (purifies)🔊OmPurifies the veils of body — pride and ego

म (purifies)🔊MaPurifies the veils of speech — jealousy and lust for entertainment

णि (purifies)🔊NiPurifies the veils of mind — passion and desire

पद् (purifies)🔊PadPurifies the veils of conflicting emotions — ignorance and prejudice

मे (purifies)🔊MePurifies the veils of latent conditioning — poverty and possessiveness

हूं (purifies)🔊HumPurifies the veils of hatred — aggression and hatred

Benefits of Chanting Om Mani Padme Hum

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Cultivates universal compassion for all sentient beings

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Purifies negative karma accumulated over lifetimes

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Calms the mind and reduces anxiety, anger and attachment

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Each of the 6 syllables purifies one of the 6 realms of cyclic existence

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Connects the practitioner to Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion

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One of the most widely chanted mantras in the world — billions of recitations daily

How to Chant Om Mani Padme Hum

Repetitions108times

Best TimeAny time — traditionally chanted continuously throughout the day

This mantra can be chanted by anyone, anywhere, at any time. Use a mala (prayer beads) of 108 beads. Chant slowly and clearly, focusing on compassion for all beings. Tibetan Buddhists often spin prayer wheels containing millions of printed mantras while chanting. The Dalai Lama says: 'It is very good to recite this mantra. While you are doing it, you should think of its meaning, for the meaning is vast and profound.'

Frequently Asked Questions

It literally means 'The jewel in the lotus' but its meaning is far deeper. The six syllables represent the purification of the six negative emotions (pride, jealousy, desire, ignorance, greed, anger) and the cultivation of the six perfections (generosity, ethics, patience, diligence, concentration, wisdom).

It is a Buddhist mantra, specifically from Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana). It is the mantra of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig in Tibetan), the Bodhisattva of Compassion. However, it is universal and can be chanted by anyone seeking compassion and peace.

There is no limit. Tibetan Buddhists chant it continuously — some accumulate millions of recitations in a lifetime. For formal practice, 108 repetitions (one mala) is standard. Even a single sincere recitation is beneficial.

It is the most widely chanted mantra in the world. The Dalai Lama has said it contains the essence of all Buddhist teachings. Its six syllables encompass the complete path from suffering to enlightenment through compassion and wisdom.