"Om mani padme Hum"
With its roots
in Sanskrit, "Om mani padme hum" is not only a Tibetan Buddhism prayer,
but also a healthy voice production exercise. The chant is common to the Lotus
sect of Tantric Buddhism and originated in the holy song sung by the Born-in-Lotus
Buddha during his search for nirvana. Later it was made into a repetitive chant
by Buddha Avalokitesvara.
"Om mani padme hum" can be interpreted
as follows: While chanting "om", one should try to become one with the
Buddha. "Mani" means a treasure-begetting wish, which reportedly resides
in the brain of the Dragon King and can attract all kinds of treasures. "Padme"
means lotus, indicating that Buddha's dharms is as pure as a lotus. "Hum"
indicates that one must rely on divine energy to achieve Buddhahood.
In Tantric
Buddhism, "Om mani padme hum" is considered the source of all things.
By chanting it over and over, one can achieve everything and attain nirvana and
Buddhahood. Therefore, it is popular with Tibetans, who are likely to chant it
at any time. They have also carved and painted the words in many places to express
their hopes and to worship the Buddha Avalotitesvara.
On the Qinghai-Tibet
Plateau, one can find the words carved everywhere. Artfully rendered versions
of "Om mani padme hum" are seen on the inside and outside of monasteries,
on roofs and walls of houses and around tents. There are also "Om mani padme
hum" flags, barrels and stone carvings, the latter quite magnificent and
very much admired.
Mystery of Tantrism explains that plants and minerals
are related to penetrating and radiating sound waves, which drive intrinsic qi
(genuine qi in the body as the basis of energy transmission). After having mixed
with each other, sound waves and qi can produce a high ultrasonic frequency which
enhances penetration and radiation, and vibrates qi inside the body so as to dig
out life potential and reduce oxygen and energy consumption.
"Om mani
padme hum" is also a method of voice production. "Om" is the lead
and the source of source of wisdom and hapiness. Arising from acupoint qihai,
it rises to the larynx and comes out the nasal passages as a drone. The sound
rises into the head, whirls in the mouth and fills the seven orifices (i.e., mouth,
nostrils, sinuses and auditory channels). If there is something wrong with your
eyes, let qi out while keeping your eyes open. If you have rhinitis, let qi out
through one nostril only. Direct qi up to the head and release it downward when
you have a headache or migraine.
"Ma" is an open guttural sound.
when pronouncing it, one closes and then opens the lips. The sound vibrates in
the larynx, acupoint tiantu gets numb and then the arms and plams become numb.
It can treat cough, laryngitis and scapulohumeral periarthritis.
"Ni"
is an apical sound. When pronouncing it, one should fold the arms over the breast.
The sound vibrates in the chest, goes to the palms and makes acupoint laogong
numb. It can treat palpitation, pneumonosis, hypertension, feeling of oppression
in the chest and splanchnopathy above the diaphragm.
"Pad" is a
labial sound. When pronouncing it, one closes and then opens the mouth. The palms
face the stomach. Intrinsic qi enters from the front of the dantian point and
comes out the back. One can feel warmth at mingmen and on the back. It can treat
lumbago, nephritis and spondylitis and nourish muscles and tendons.
"Me"
is a sublingual sound. Pronouncing it, one opens the mouth slightly. Intrinsic
qi goes through the belt channel. One should feel the lower abdomen vibrating.
It can treat hepatitis, enteritis, stomach-ache and diarrhea.
"Hum"
is a cerebral sound. When pronouncing it, one opens the mouth only slightly. Qi
goes down the legs and directly reaches acupoint yongquan. It can treat skelalgia
and arthritis.
"Om mani padme hum" corresponds to parts of the
human body. It demands soft, extended pronunciation in a low voice. Generally
speaking, "Om mani padme hum" can strengthen the body, prevent and cure
diseases, and prolong one's life. 