Malas- About Buddhist Mantra
Tibetan Buddhism- The Significance of The Mani Mantra- |
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The Mani Mantra is the most common Mahayana Buddhist Mantra, that is open for all to chant as a compliment to meditation practice. In Tibetan culture, it is common to see laypeople walking on the street, reciting the mani mantra, semi-audibly. Other mantras and meditation practices should be personally given to you by a Buddhist teacher, and should not be recited without instruction. In general, the more ritualized or Tantric Buddhist practices come as an extension of a relationship with a teacher, and are not public. Mantras can be very powerful tools and a personal relationship with a formal teacher and or Sangha (meditation community) is always recommended. In Tibetan Buddhism, there are considered to be six classes of beings, that take birth. Some of these beings are perceptible to an ordinary person, some are not. They are: Gods, Jealous Gods, Humans, Animals, Ghosts and Hungry Ghosts, and being who have unfortunately taken birth what the Buddhist's consider an impermanent "hell". These beings have taken birth due to the karma of believing in a permanent "self." Until attaining enlightenment, we are stuck in an endless cycle of birth and death, creating for the most part, the "8 worldly concerns," namely: pleasure and pain, loss and gain, praise and blame, and finally, disgrace and fame (these are easily remembered as they do rhyme!) Being caught up in this cycle of both having things work out for us, or not creates more suffering, attachment and karma with each day. Buddhist strive to break this pattern, and become a more
compassionate, selfless and enlightened being. The Mani Mantra with the
six syllables, correspond the each of these six classes of beings, and
when it is recited, and should be done so semi audibly, it is believed to
have the power to remove the suffering of all classes of beings. A
Buddhist, in their heart while reciting the Mani Mantra, will hold the
feeling, "please let my recitation of this mantra help to liberate
the suffering and confusion that we all experience in this life." In
turn, by having this proper motivation, one can bring about qualities of
being mentally clear, self rested and compassionate. |
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How to Use your Mala- OM MANI PADME HUM |
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The mala should be held with the left hand, and you start your recitation at the first bead after the guru bead. The Mani Mantra is the Sanskrit mantra of Avolokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. It is as follows: OM MANI PADME HUM, which literally translates as "Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus." It transliterates to: ohm manee padmae hoom. It is considered to be the sacred six syllables. |
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| Listen to a Buddhist Monk recite the Mani Mantra. | |
*Most Malas are made to order, and as with all natural stones and monitor variations, actual colors may vary slightly from web images. Customers can specify the color and placement of the three "marker beads" used to divide Mala and tassel color. We will do our best to accommodate custom requests with materials available. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and considered a "work of art." Malas will be sent as close to the web image as possible depending on available materials, if no custom requests are required. Complimentary Mala bag is offered in assorted colors, and we make the best effort to choose a harmonious color and style. If you'd like you Mala redesigned or if your mala breaks after our warranty period, we offer restringing service for $18.
