The Meaning of the Mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is – “The jewel is in the lotus or praise to the jewel in the lotus.”
‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ (translation: ‘Hail the jewel in the lotus’) is a six syllable invocation (mantra) of Avlokitesvara, one who is invoked as the Protector from danger. It is claimed that one who recites this mantra will be saved from all dangers and will be protected. This mantra is widely used in Mahayana Buddhism.
According to His Holiness Dalai Lama, “It is very good to recite the mantra Om mani padme hum, but while you are doing it, you should be thinking on its meaning, for the meaning of the six syllables is great and vast. The first, Om is composed of three letters, A, U, and M. These symbolize the practitioner’s impure body, speech, and mind; they also symbolize the pure exalted body, speech, and mind of a Buddha.
Can impure body, speech, and mind be transformed into pure body, speech, and mind, or are they entirely separate?
All Buddhas are cases of beings who were like ourselves and then in dependence on the path became enlightened; Buddhism does not assert that there is anyone who from the beginning is free from faults and possesses all good qualities. The development of pure body, speech, and mind comes from gradually leaving the impure states arid their being transformed into the pure.”
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Meaning of the Words of the mantra
MANI, meaning jewel, symbolizes the intention to become enlightened, compassion, and love.
PADME, meaning lotus, symbolizes wisdom. Just as a lotus grows in the mud but is not sullied by the faults of mud and remains pure, so is wisdom capable of realizing the emptiness of inherent existence.
Purity must be achieved by both method and wisdom, symbolized by the final syllable, HUM, which indicates indivisibility.
Reciting this mantra grants us protection and healing as well as takes us to higher levels of consciousness.
