About Om Mani Padme Hum

Om mani padme hum ཨོཾ་མ་ཎི་པདྨེ་ཧཱུྃ, written in Tibetan language format is an ancient Buddhist mantra. In English, this rhythmic chant literally translates to “Praise to the Jewel in the Lotus.” This might not make much sense to newbies or even to well-practiced spiritual practitioners, but the mantra’s essence is powerful and pure.

There are a lot of different meanings and different opinions on what each syllable means. Generally, each syllable represents one of the six goals of Buddhist existence and helps heal or purify and bring forth the positive qualities associated with that goal.

Let’s take a look at the meaning of each word in the mantra:

• Om = the vibration or sound of the universe; represents divine energy and generosity and purifies the ego
• Ma = represents ethics and purifies jealousy
• Ni = represents patience and purifies want or desire
• Pad = represents diligence and purifies ignorance and judgment
• Me = represents concentration and purifies attachment
• Hum = the unity of all; represents wisdom and purifies hatred