Om Mani Padme Hum
The mantra of compassion — the jewel in the lotus.
Quick answer
Om Mani Padme Hum is the compassion mantra of Avalokiteshvara, the most widely chanted mantra in the world. It means 'the jewel in the lotus' and represents the union of compassion and wisdom.
- Tradition
- Buddhist
- Language
- Sanskrit
- Deity
- Avalokiteshvara
- Best time
- Any time. Beloved as a daily practice.
- Best for
- Cultivating compassion, Meditation, For the benefit of all beings
Original
Transliteration
Oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ
Translation
The jewel in the lotus — an invocation of the compassion of Avalokiteshvara.
Line by line
Oṃ
The primordial sound of pure being.
maṇi
The jewel — method, compassion.
padme
The lotus — wisdom, insight.
hūṃ
The seed of indivisibility — method and wisdom as one.
Meaning
Literal
'The jewel in the lotus.'
Spiritual interpretation
The Dalai Lama teaches that the six syllables purify the six realms of suffering. To chant Om Mani Padme Hum is to remember that compassion (the jewel) and wisdom (the lotus) are not two.
What this mantra is used for
How to chant
Chant aloud, whispered, or silently. Often 108 times or continuously as walking meditation. Also visualized on a prayer wheel or written on prayer flags.
When to chant
Any time. Beloved as a daily practice.
Origin & context
The Karandavyuha Sutra; central to Tibetan Buddhism.
Related mantras
Green Tara Mantra
Swift compassion, swift protection — the mantra of the beloved female Buddha.
Medicine Buddha Mantra
The great healer's mantra — for the body, the mind, and the world.
So Hum
'I am that.' The natural mantra that moves with your breath.
Continue exploring
Frequently asked questions
What does Om Mani Padme Hum mean?+
Literally, 'the jewel in the lotus.' Traditionally understood as the union of compassion (the jewel) and wisdom (the lotus) in the awakened mind.
Can non-Buddhists chant this mantra?+
Yes. It is chanted by hundreds of millions across many traditions and belongs to anyone who wishes to cultivate compassion.
How many times should I chant it?+
108 times is traditional. Many practitioners chant it silently throughout the day.