October 11, 2012

Om

Om is a mystical Sanskrit sound of Hindu origin that is sacred and important in various Dharmic religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. It is also referred to as Omkara or Aumkara, literally meaning Om syllable and in Sanskrit is sometimes referred to as pranava, literally meaning that which is sounded out loudly. It is said to be the original sound that contains all other sounds, all words, all languages and all mantras. Written out, it is indicated in the symbol that the speaking of Om takes the time of speaking three syllables. It is placed at the beginning of most Hindu texts as a sacred incantation to be intoned at the beginning and end of a reading of the Vedas or prior to any prayer or Mantra. The syllable consists of three phonemes; Vaishvanara (a), Hiranyagarbha (u) and Ishvara (m), which symbolize the beginning, duration and dissolution of the universe and the associated gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The name omkarais taken as a name of God and can be translated as I Am Existence. When taken letter by letter, A-U-M represents the divine energy (Shakti) united in its three elementary aspects: Bhrahma Shakti (creation), Vishnu Shakti (preservation) and Shiva Shakti (liberation and/or destruction). Om mani padme hum is the six-syllabled Sanskrit mantra particularly associated with the four-armed form of Avalokiteshara, the bodhisattva of compassion. Mani means jewel or bead and Padma means the lotus flower, the Buddhist sacred flower. The mantra is especially revered by devotees of the Dalai Lama, as he is said to be an incarnation of Avalokiteshvara. It is commonly carved into rocks/stones or written on paper which is then inserted into prayer wheels, which is said to increase the mantra's effect with each revolution. 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 [...] symbolizes the practitioner's impure body, speech, and mind; it also symbolizes the pure exalted body, speech, and mind of a Buddha[...]The path is indicated by the next four syllables. Mani, meaning jewel, symbolizes the factors of method: (the) altruistic intention to become enlightened, compassion, and love.[...]The two syllables, padme, meaning lotus, symbolize wisdom[...]Purity must be achieved by an indivisible unity of method and wisdom, symbolized by the final syllable hum, which indicates indivisibility[...]Thus the six syllables, om mani padme hum, mean that in dependence on the practice of a path which is an indivisible union of method and wisdom, you can transform your impure body, speech, and mind into the pure exalted body, speech, and mind of a Buddha[...]