"Om Mani Peme Hung"
The Mantra Of Compassion
The Mantra of Compassion, OM MANI Padmi Hum, is pronounced by Tibetans: Om Mani
Peme Hung. It embodies the compassion and blessing of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas,
and invokes especially the blessing of Avalokitesvara (Goddess of Mercy), the
Buddha of Compassion. Avalokitesvara is a manifestation of the Buddha in the
Sambhogakaya, and this mantra is considered the essence of the Buddha's compassion
for all beings which liberates all sentient beings from sufferings of the different
realms of samara.
The teachings explain that each of the six syllables of the mantra - Om Mani
Peme Hung - has a specific and potent effect in bringing about transformation
at different levels of our being. The six syllables purify completely the six
poisonous negative emotions, which are the manifestation of ignorance, and which
cause us to act negatively with our body, speech, and mind, so creating samsara
and our suffering in it. Pride, jeolousy, desire, ignorance, greed, and anger
are transformed, through the mantra, into their true nature, the wisdom of the
six buddha families that become manifest in the enlightened mind.
So when we recite OM MANI PEME HUNG, the six negative emotions, which are the
cause of the six realms of samsara, are purified. This is how reciting the six
syllables prevents rebirth in each of the six realms, and also dispels the suffering
inherent in each realms. At the same time reciting OM MANI PEME HUNG completely
purifies the aggregates of ego, the skandhas, and perfects the six kinds of
transcendental action of the heart of the enlightened mind, the paramitas of:
generosity, harmonious conduct, endurance, enthusiasm, concentration, and insight.
It is also said that OM MANI PEME HUNG grants strong protection from all kinds
of negative influences, and various forms of illness.
KALU RINPOCHE writes :
Another way of interpreting the mantra is that the syllable OM is the essence
of enlightened form: MANI PEME. The four syllables in the middle, represent
the speech of enlightenment; and the last syllables, HUM, represents the Mind
of enlightenment. The body, speech and mind of all the buddhas and bodhisatvas
are inherent in the sound of this mantra. It purifies the obscurations of body,
speech and mind, and brings all beings to the state of realization. When it
is joined with our own faith and efforts in meditation and recitation, the transformative
power of the mantra Arises and develops. It is truly possible to purify ourselves
this way.