The Six-Syllable Mantra is a common mantra in Buddhism, and despite containing only six syllables, it holds immense power. What are the six syllables? How to pronounce them correctly? What are the benefits one will obtain from chanting them? What are the taboos to refrain from while chanting? This article is intended to help you learn The Six-Syllable Mantra and the ways to quickly establish a connection with Guanyin Bodhisattva by chanting the mantra.
What Are the Six Syllables and How to Pronounce Them?
The Six-Syllable Mantra is also called The Very Six-Syllable Brilliant Mantra, and the detailed explanation of its origin and merit is found in The Mahayana Sublime Treasure King Sutra. The full text of The Six-Syllable Mantra is “Om Ma Ni Pad Me Hum,” and it is considered a mantra imbued with the blessings and power of Guanyin Bodhisattva. As such, The Six-Syllable Mantra is also known as The Guanyin Bodhisattva Heart Mantra.
Guanyin Bodhisattva is known by various names, such as one of the “Three Holy Ones of the Western Paradise” and “Three Holy Ones of the Saha Land.” Widely venerated in Chinese culture and renowned for being a compassionate source of salvation for sentient beings, Guanyin Bodhisattva is worshiped at dedicated temples around the world. Together with Amitabha Buddha and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, He is known as one of the “Three Holy Ones of the Western Paradise.” Along with Sakyamuni Buddha and the Earth Store Bodhisattva, He is recognized as one of the “Three Holy Ones of Saha Land,” known for educating and guiding sentient beings in this Saha world. Furthermore, alongside Manjusri Bodhisattva, Universal Virtue Bodhisattva, and the Earth Store Bodhisattva, Guanyin Bodhisattva is included in the group of “Four Great Bodhisattvas.”
Benefits
Through chanting The Six-Syllable Mantra, the chanter can quickly communicate and resonate with Guanyin Bodhisattva. Here are three benefits of chanting The Six-Syllable Mantra:
Benefit 1: Connect With Guanyin Bodhisattva to Fulfill Wishes
Guanyin Bodhisattva responds to the cries of the suffering, and any requests made while chanting The Six-Syllable Mantra will be answered. Regardless of the difficulties one encounters, chanting The Six-Syllable Mantra can help establish a connection with Guanyin Bodhisattva for Divine protection against calamities, turning adversity into good fortune and fulfilling one’s heartfelt desires.
Benefit 2: Energy, Composure, and Wisdom Enhancement
The Six-Syllable Mantra, known as The Guanyin Bodhisattva Heart Mantra, carries immense compassionate blessings and boundless energy. Sincerely chanting the mantra can impart auspicious energy, accumulate merits and virtues, awaken wisdom, enhance composure, and boost self-confidence. If practiced over an extended period, it can unlock one’s potential and elevate one’s spiritual awareness.
Effect 3: Body and Mind Purification; Spiritual Elevation
Grandmaster JinBodhi once explained that The Six-Syllable Mantra consists of six syllables that emit illumination. Chanting the mantra illuminates one’s body and mind, eliminating karmic obstacles and physical ailments while dispelling impurities and negativity. Chanting The Six-Syllable Mantra diligently over the long term can help eliminate afflictions and negative thoughts, cultivate awareness, strengthen compassion, develop the state of Bodhicitta, and elevate one’s spiritual state.
Taboos and How to Chant
Chanting is the quickest way to establish a connection with the buddhas and bodhisattvas; as such, it should be done correctly. Here are chanting taboos and suggestions to support your practice:
Taboo 1: Attachment to Personal Gain
People are prone to seeking fulfillment of their personal interests in all matters. If one chants The Six-Syllable Mantra with the sole intention of seeking personal benefits and becomes overly attached to personal gain or loss, they may not obtain an optimal result due to their excessive attachment.
Taboo 2: Harboring Ill Intentions or Deliberate Disrespect
Chanting The Six-Syllable Mantra can provide protection and blessings, but it does not grant permission for one to act without restraint. It is crucial not to harbor ill intentions or engage in disrespectful behavior while chanting the mantra. For example, after chanting, drinking alcohol and driving to test whether you’re being protected from a car accident. This behavior not only brings misfortune upon oneself but also commits the offense of mocking the Bodhisattva.
Chanting Suggestion 1: Chant With Compassion
The buddhas and bodhisattvas are known for their great compassion. To establish a better connection with them, it is essential to chant the mantra with a compassionate heart. Grandmaster JinBodhi once said that being good to the world is being good to oneself. Chant The Six-Syllable Mantra with a heart full of compassion while visualizing a world filled with compassion and love; doing this not only helps all sentient beings, but also lets us receive blessings and keep our attachments and greed under control.
Chanting Suggestion 2: Visualize Your Body Illuminating
The Six-Syllable Mantra consists of syllables that emit illumination, so when chanting it, you can visualize your entire body illuminating. Grandmaster JinBodhi once said, “Visualize your body as transparent as crystal,” which means a transparent body without color. The more transparent your body is, the fewer afflictions and obstacles you will have, and the healthier you will be.
Chanting Suggestion 3: The Vajra Way
The Six-Syllable Mantra can be chanted in various ways, such as chanting silently, chanting with a low voice, and chanting the Vajra way (chanting at normal volume). Among these chanting methods, the Vajra way is considered the best way.
Chanting Suggestion 4: Chant for a Minimum of 10 Minutes
Living the modern life is busy, and one often has many commitments such as studies, work, and various other responsibilities. It is recommended that each chanting session lasts for at least 10 minutes or longer, as longer sessions tend to yield better results.
The Six-Syllable Mantra: Testimonials From Bodhi Meditation Practitioners
Testimonial 1: Relief From Arm Pain (Xue, Singapore)
One evening, I suddenly felt severe pain in my left upper arm, as if it were sprained. The pain persisted the following morning, so I had to take a day off from work. Coincidentally, an online chanting class was held by Grandmaster JinBodhi at that time. During the class, I chanted The Six-Syllable Mantra. After the class, when I switched on my computer to resume work, I realized that the pain in my arm was completely gone.
Testimonial 2: Feeling Compassionate During Chanting (Lesley Reichert, Vancouver, Canada)
During the chanting session, I felt that my voice was resonating from my tailbone all the way up to my chest and even higher, emitting such a powerful energy that it seemed like the walls were reverberating. At the end of the class, I felt an unprecedented sense of ease in both my body and mind. The next day, during the chanting session, I was overwhelmed by a strong compassionate aspiration and couldn’t help but shed tears. It was as if the buddhas and bodhisattvas themselves had sensed it.
Testimonial 3: Luminous and Transparent Body (Daisy, Vancouver, Canada)
In the past few days, while chanting The Six-Syllable Mantra online with Grandmaster JinBodhi, I felt a tremendous surge of energy. During the chanting session, it seemed like I could “see” my entire body becoming transparent and luminous. Also, chanting would prompt my body to perspire. What’s even more astonishing is that I accidentally cut my finger yesterday, and after I chanted today, the wound had miraculously healed. Previously, it would have taken several days to heal.
Follow Grandmaster JinBodhi to learn how to chant The Six-Syllable Mantra, spreading love and illumination throughout the world.
The Six-Syllable Mantra possesses a powerful vibration and the ability to attract the great energies, wisdom, and supernatural powers of the Universe. To better understand The Six-Syllable Mantra, please follow Grandmaster JinBodhi to learn by watching the video series: “Learning the Six-Syllable Mantra (Part 1)” and “Learning the Six-Syllable Mantra (Part 2).”
You can also purchase audio recordings of The Six-Syllable Mantra recited by Grandmaster JinBodhi from Puticollege.com and chant the mantra anytime and anywhere.
Extra Reading:Chant the Name of Guanyin Bodhisattva for Three Amazing Benefits