Compassion Mantra
Reciting mantras are an ancient practice that help bring the mind to a single point of focus. The meditative repetition can bring a stillness to the chattering monkey mind. The phrase or sound that is being repeated can be a really powerful tool in realigning positive thoughts or enhancing your healing frequency.
In my wellness journey I have used mantra meditation for many years. I was first introduced to mantra meditation in my yoga training where we would sit in seated meditation and learn sanskrit and chant for an hour or more. It was a really life-changing and important aspect of my healing journey. While I can’t say that I often find myself in a monastery-like setting, I do tend to devote time to listening and learning mantras and singing them in my car or in the shower!
Over the years I have developed quite an arsenal of common mantras and recently I was feeling an urge to challenge myself to find a completely new (to me) mantra. As the universe does, it revealed to me the Compassion Mantra of Avalokiteshrva.
Currently Tibet is undergoing deep suffering beyond their usual persecution. A deadly flood has destroyed countless lives. In the wake of the devastation the Dalai Lama urges us to send prayers to Avalokiteshvara to ask for compassion to all those affected. He recommended:
OM MANI PADME HUM
Which translates to “praise the jewel in the lotus” and is a very popular buddhist mantra. If you just need an easy breezy cover girl mantra - stop here and keep this one on repeat :)
I was unfamiliar with who Avalokiteshvara was. So I went down a rabbit hole to learn about the bodhisattva of infinite compassion. He is a bodhisattva who chose to delay his own entry into nirvana in order to save others. Avalokiteshvara promised to help every living being on Earth escape suffering and rebirth before returning to nirvana. He has many names and forms including Chenrezig and the female form Kuan Yin, goddess of compassion.
My research is compiled of several nondescript blog posts and loose translations of this ancient phrase. For me, when it comes to dealing with the esoteric arts, it's important to keep an open mind. It’s important to acknowledge the history, culture, and meaning from where this powerful phrase originated. I do not claim to be a strict practicing full believing buddhist but I think there is a real beauty and power in the intention of this phrase.
Here is the mantra:
NAMO RATNA TRAYAYA / NAMO ARYA JNANA SAGARA, VAIROCHANA / BYUHARA JARA TATHAGATAYA / ARAHATE SAMYAKSAM BUDDHAYA / NAMO SARWA TATHAGATE BHYAY ARHATA BHYAH / SAMVAKSAM BUDDHE BHVAH / NAMO AVALOKITE / SHORAYA BODHISATTVAYA / MAHA SATTVAYA / MAHA KARUNIKAYA / TADYATA / OM DARA DARA / DIRI DIRI / DURU DURU / ITTE WE / ITTE CHALE CHALE / PURACHALE PURACHALE KUSUME KUSUMA WA RE / ILI MILLI CHITI JVALAM / APANAVE SHOHA
Here is the link to listen to the mantra 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DDc1UJqMWM&list=RD8DDc1UJqMWM&start_radio=1
I was able to locate the lyrics and the following translations from adeline108 here on the
OM Sai Ram blog:
https://saidivineinspirations.blogspot.com/2019/10/great-compassion-mantra.html?m=1
I also found a lot of help on these two blogs:
https://soraj.wordpress.com/2009/11/21/mantra-of-avalokiteshvara/
https://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?t=44111
General Translation:
1. Adoration the noble Avalokitesvara, bodhisattva, the great compassionate one.
2. Having paid adoration to One who Dispels all Fears, O noble Avalokitesvara, to You adoration, O Nilakantha.
3. I shall enunciate the 'heart' dharani which ensures all purposes, is pure and invincible for all beings, and which purifies the path of existence.
4. Thus: Lord of Effulgence, the World-Transcending One. Come, come, great bodhisattva, descend, descend. Bear in mind my heart-dharani. Do do the work. Hold fast, oh Victor, oh Great Victor. Hold on, hold on, oh Lord of the Dharani. Move, move oh my immaculate image, come come.
Destroy every poison. Quick, bear in mind, quick, quick, descend, descend. Being enlightened, being enlightened, enlighten me, enlighten me. Oh merciful
Nilakantha appear unto me. To you who eyes us, hail. To the Great Siddha hail. To the Great Siddha in Yoga hail. To Nilakantha hail. To the Boar-feaced hail.
5. Adoration to the Triple Gem. Adoration to the noble Avalokitesvara bodhisattva, hail.
Avalokitesvara [Sanskrit, India] Bodhisattva of Compassion in the Lotus Sutra became known as Kuan Yin. The Chinese found it easier to think of Compassion in terms of a Loving and Compassionate goddess. [Also known as Chenrezig and also as Kannon in Japan].
"Reciting the Great Compassion Mantra can prevent and cure the eighty-four thousand kinds of diseases are covered, including AIDS and pneumonia .This Mantra can prevent and cure all kind of illness and diseases if recite with utmost sincerity". - The Venerable Master Hsuan Hua.
"To recite it a full five times in one evening is to wipe away your heavy offenses of hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands,tens of thousands of millions of aeons of birth and death". - The Dharani Sutra
Benefits in reciting:
People and gods who recite and hold the Great Compassion Mantra will obtain fifteen kinds of good birth and will not suffer fifteen kinds of bad death.
The bad deaths are:
1. They will not die of starvation or privation.
2. They will not die from having been yoked, imprisoned, caned or otherwise beaten.
3. They will not die at the hands of hostile enemies.
4. They will not be killed in military battle.
5. They will not be killed by tigers, wolves, or other evil beasts.
6. They will not die from the venom of poisonous snakes, black serpents, or scorpions.
7. They will not drown or be burned to death.
8. They will not be poisoned to death.
9. They will not die as a result of sorcery.
10. They will not die of madness or insanity.
11. They will not be killed by landslides or falling trees.
12. They will not die of nightmares sent by evil people.
13. They will not be killed by deviant spirits or evil ghosts.
14. They will not die of evil illnesses which bind the body.
15. They will not commit suicide.
Those who recite and hold the spiritual Mantra of Great Compassion will not suffer any of these fifteen kinds of bad death and will obtain the following fifteen kinds of good birth:
1. Their place of birth will always have a good king.
2. They will always be born in a good country.
3. They will always be born at a good time.
4. They will always meet good friends.
5. The organs of their body will always be complete.
6. Their heart will be pure and full in the way.
7. They will not violate the prohibitive precepts.
8. Their family will be kind and harmonious.
9. They will always have the necessary wealth and goods in abundance.
10. They will always obtain the respect and help of others.
11. Their riches will not be plundered.
12. They will obtain everything they seek.
13. Dragons, gods, and good spirits will always protect them.
14. In the place where they are born they will see the Buddha and hear the Dharma.
15. They will awaken to the profound meaning of that Proper Dharma which they hear.
Those who recite and hold the Great Compassion Mantra will obtain these fifteen kinds of good birth. All gods and people should constantly recite and hold it, without carelessness.
AGAIN these are not my translations and I hope the links above serve as the credit that the original authors deserve! It is my joy to pass this ancient practice and wisdom along. Thank you for being here for the deep dive.
OM MANI PADME HUM,
Julie
