Vajrasattva Mantra
The great purification practice of Vajrayana Buddhism.
Quick answer
The Vajrasattva Mantra is the great purification mantra of Vajrayana Buddhism, chanted with visualization to purify body, speech, and mind.
- Tradition
- Buddhist
- Language
- Sanskrit
- Repetitions
- 21, 108, or 100,000 as part of ngondro.
- Best time
- Morning practice.
- Best for
- Purification, Confession, Ngondro (foundational practice)
Listen
Curated recordings for meditation, devotion, and daily practice.
Recordings coming soon.
Transliteration
Oṃ vajrasattva samayam anupālaya, vajrasattva tvenopatiṣṭha, dṛḍho me bhava, sutoṣyo me bhava, supoṣyo me bhava, anurakto me bhava, sarva siddhiṃ me prayaccha, sarva karmasu ca me cittaṃ śreyaḥ kuru hūṃ, ha ha ha ha hoḥ, bhagavan sarva tathāgata vajra mā me muñca, vajrī bhava mahā samaya sattva āḥ
Translation
An invocation of Vajrasattva as the embodiment of primordial purity, requesting purification of body, speech, and mind.
Meaning
Literal
The hundred-syllable mantra of Vajrasattva, considered the essence of all purification practices.
Spiritual interpretation
Vajrasattva represents the innate purity of awareness itself. To chant this mantra is to acknowledge and release what obscures that purity — through visualization of nectar washing through body, speech, and mind.
What this mantra is used for
How to chant
Traditionally accompanied by visualization; often taught in retreat contexts.
When to chant
Morning practice.
Traditional count: 21, 108, or 100,000 as part of ngondro.
Origin & context
Vajrayana Buddhism; foundational to Tibetan practice lineages.