Om Mani Padme Hung is the heart mantra of Avalokitesvara (Sanskrit), or Chenrezig (Tibetan) or Kuan Shi Yin / Kuan Yin (观世音/观音-Chinese) is most commonly chanted by the Tibetans or those practicing Tibetan Buddhism. For those Mahayanist Chinese Buddhists, they chant the name of Kuan Yin in this way: Namo Kuan Shi Yin Pu Satt.
Chenrezig/ Kuan Yin is the embodiment of the compassion of all the Buddhas and Bodhisatvas. When we chant aloud or silently with our heart, we can invoke the blessings from Chenrezig/Kuan Yin.
When we visit Tibetan settlements around Dharamasala, in Northern India or around the Himalayan Regions, we shall see many Tibetans spinning the Mani Wheel (as shown in the picture). Tibetans believe in spinning the written form of the mantras around in a Mani wheel (or Prayer Wheel) have similar benefits as chanting them. In these Mani wheels, being small or big, contain thousands and thousands of the mantras written in papers. The papers are carefully joined and then rolled to take a round shape. They are inserted into the Mani Wheel. When the wheel is spinning in clockwise directions, it is called turning the Mani Wheel. There are also people doing chanting aloud or in silent while spinning the Mani wheels. The merits gained through these actions are then dedicated to the Enlightenment of all sentient beings and etc.
We can do this simple meditation by using these 6 syllables Mantra of Kuan Yin - OM MANI PAD ME HUNG ( 观音菩萨的心咒 – 六字真言 ) to develop our loving kindness and compassion based on a abbreviated translation of Metta Sutra given by the Buddha as follow;
First, with folded palms, you recite the following sutra silently or aloud.
Chenrezig/ Kuan Yin is the embodiment of the compassion of all the Buddhas and Bodhisatvas. When we chant aloud or silently with our heart, we can invoke the blessings from Chenrezig/Kuan Yin.
When we visit Tibetan settlements around Dharamasala, in Northern India or around the Himalayan Regions, we shall see many Tibetans spinning the Mani Wheel (as shown in the picture). Tibetans believe in spinning the written form of the mantras around in a Mani wheel (or Prayer Wheel) have similar benefits as chanting them. In these Mani wheels, being small or big, contain thousands and thousands of the mantras written in papers. The papers are carefully joined and then rolled to take a round shape. They are inserted into the Mani Wheel. When the wheel is spinning in clockwise directions, it is called turning the Mani Wheel. There are also people doing chanting aloud or in silent while spinning the Mani wheels. The merits gained through these actions are then dedicated to the Enlightenment of all sentient beings and etc.
We can do this simple meditation by using these 6 syllables Mantra of Kuan Yin - OM MANI PAD ME HUNG ( 观音菩萨的心咒 – 六字真言 ) to develop our loving kindness and compassion based on a abbreviated translation of Metta Sutra given by the Buddha as follow;
First, with folded palms, you recite the following sutra silently or aloud.
Namo Buddha-ya, Namo Dharma-ya, Namo Sangha-ya ( 3X)
“This is what should be done by those who aspire to be skilled in goodness,
and those who know the way to peace and tranquility:
1.1)May they be upright, straightforward and gentle in speech;
Humble and not be conceited.
1.2)Let no one deceive another or despise any being in any state,
Let none by anger nor hatred wishing harm to others,
1.3)Hatred cannot be overcome by hatred,
HATRED can only be overcome by LOVE.
and those who know the way to peace and tranquility:
1.1)May they be upright, straightforward and gentle in speech;
Humble and not be conceited.
1.2)Let no one deceive another or despise any being in any state,
Let none by anger nor hatred wishing harm to others,
1.3)Hatred cannot be overcome by hatred,
HATRED can only be overcome by LOVE.
1.4)May all beings be well and happy.
1.5)May they always be Calm and Peaceful, Wise and Skillful.
2.1)May they be easily satisfied, contented,
Not burdened by many things and duties in their livelihood.
2.2)May they neither be proud nor arrogant nor demanding,
May they never have desires and cravings.
2.3)May they never do anything that the Wise will reprove them later.
May they always feel grateful towards their mothers and fathers,teachers and masters.
2.4)May all beings be Well and Happy.
2.4)May all beings be Well and Happy.
2.5)May all beings live in safety, free from fear, and be joyful.
3.1)May all beings far or near, seen or unseen, born or to be born,
Whether they are air born, water born, egg born or womb born,
Whether they are long or short, tall or short or small, weak or strong,
May all beings, without exception, be Well and Happy.
3.2)Like a mother who will go all out to save her own child
Even at the risk of her own life,
Even so, may all beings practice this Loving Kindness and Compassion.
3.3)So having a boundless Heart of Loving Kindness and Compassion,
One should Cherish all beings by radiating Kindness over all the World Systems.
3.4)While one is standing or sitting, walking or lying down, during all one's Waking Hours, May one remain mindful of this Heart and this Way of Living.
Thus it is said to be the “Most Noble Way 0f Living”.
3.5)Unattached to speculations, views and free from all cravings and sense desires,
These Pure Hearted ones, with clear mind, will never take Rebirth in Samsara again.”
Om Mani Padme Hung, Om Mani Padme Hung, Om Mani Padme Hung………….
At this point you begin to recite “Om Mani Pad Me Hung” silently or aloud. You can recite it as many times as you can. If you wish to do the following visualization while reciting the mantra, you may do so.
First, you visualize 6 colored lights (white, green, yellow, blue, red, dark blue) issue from your heart as you are chanting the mantra silently, or in whispering tone. The lights together with the mantras radiate out far and wide into the space in ten directions into ten thousands world systems. You think that all beings seen or unseen, far or near are blessed by the mantra.
When you have finished, you dedicate sincerely all the merits (福) gained for the Enlightenment of all sentient beings. Dedication is important because it makes our merits (福) gained to be limitless. And always remember the following words of the Buddha:
“So with a boundless Heart of loving kindness and compassion,
One should Cherish all beings by radiating kindness over all the world systems.
While one is standing or sitting, walking or lying down, during all one's waking hours, May one remain Mindful of this Heart and this Way of Living,
And thus it is said to be the ‘‘Most Noble Way of Living.”
First, you visualize 6 colored lights (white, green, yellow, blue, red, dark blue) issue from your heart as you are chanting the mantra silently, or in whispering tone. The lights together with the mantras radiate out far and wide into the space in ten directions into ten thousands world systems. You think that all beings seen or unseen, far or near are blessed by the mantra.
When you have finished, you dedicate sincerely all the merits (福) gained for the Enlightenment of all sentient beings. Dedication is important because it makes our merits (福) gained to be limitless. And always remember the following words of the Buddha:
“So with a boundless Heart of loving kindness and compassion,
One should Cherish all beings by radiating kindness over all the world systems.
While one is standing or sitting, walking or lying down, during all one's waking hours, May one remain Mindful of this Heart and this Way of Living,
And thus it is said to be the ‘‘Most Noble Way of Living.”
I hope, each and every one of us shall take the advice of the Buddha and practice this Loving Kindness and Compassion. This is what our world needed most in order for it to have a ever lasting peace. The destiny of our world lies in the hands of everyone of us. So you can do a small part to make our world a better place to live by spreading this Metta Sutra to your loves ones, friends, neighbors, office, schools, colleges, universities etc. In the words of the Buddha, “The Gift of Dharma excels all other Gifts” Tashi Delek! 吉祥如意！
