What are the Six True Words and what do they mean?

The six true words: Om Ma Ni Pad Me Hum is the most common mantra in Tibet, recited by Buddhists, painted or carved on rocks, prayer wheels, or yak skulls and seen around Tibet very commonly. Tibetan people, who are almost all Buddhists, believe that it is very good to practice the mantra of Chenrezi, the Bodhisattva of Compassion ( the protective deity of Tibet), which may relieve negative karma, accumulate merit, help rescue them from the sea of suffering and achieve Buddhahood. Speaking the mantra aloud or silently, spinning prayer wheels with the mantra, and carving the mantra into stones are the usual practices. It is very good to recite the mantra, but while you are doing it, you should be thinking on its meaning, for the meaning of the six syllables is great and vast.  

“Hail the jewel in the lotus.”

Om, symbolizes one’s impure body, speech and mind, and also the pure noble body, speech and mind of a Buddha. Buddhism claims that an impure body, speech and mind can be transformed into pure ones of a Buddha, who were once impure and later by removing their negative attributes, achieved enlightenment on this path.

Ma Ni, the jewel, symbolizes factors of method, compassion and love, the altruistic intention to become enlightened. “Just as a jewel is capable of removing poverty, so the altruistic mind of enlightenment is capable of removing the poverty, or difficulties, and of solitary peace.” Similarly, just as a jewel fulfills the wishes of sentient beings, so the altruistic intention to become enlightened fulfills the wishes of sentient beings.

Pad Me means lotus and symbolizes wisdom. Growing out of mud, but not being stained by mud, the lotus indicates the quality of wisdom, which keeps you out of contradiction.

The last symbol, Hum, means inseparability; symbolizing purity and can be achieved by the unity of method and wisdom.

Om Ma Ni Pad Me Hum

Pronounced: Ohm – Ma – Nee – Pod – May - Hum

This chant brings you joy and peaceful vibrations.