1. Historical Origins

The Six-Syllable Mantra, also known as the Great Six-Syllable Mantra, is one of the most representative incantations in Tibetan Buddhism, carrying profound religious and cultural significance.

 

1.1 Basic Composition of the Six-Syllable Mantra

The Six-Syllable Mantra consists of six Sanskrit syllables, phonetically translated into Chinese as "唵 (ōng), 嘛 (mā), 呢 (nī), 叭 (bēi), 咪 (mēi), 吽 (hòng)." Each of these syllables corresponds to different aspects of Buddhist teachings and holds rich symbolic meanings.

 

1.2 Origins in Buddhist Scriptures

The Six-Syllable Mantra first appeared in the Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra, a classical Buddhist text. The Sanskrit manuscript of this sutra emerged in India around the 7th century, and its Tibetan translation was completed by the 9th century. According to the sutra, the Six-Syllable Mantra represents the subtle essence of Avalokiteśvara (the Bodhisattva of Compassion), transmitted to him by Amitābha Buddha.

 

1.3 Historical Introduction to Tibet

The Six-Syllable Mantra was introduced to Tibet at an early stage. According to the Tibetan Royal Records, during the reign of King Lhatotori Nyentsen (394–513 CE), the mantra was brought to Tibet as a "divine treasure from the heavens." At that time, although sacred items such as the Six-Syllable Great Mantra were received, their meanings remained "unfathomable," and they were revered and enshrined without full understanding. It was not until the era of Songtsen Gampo that Tibetan culture flourished, and the secrets of these treasures were gradually deciphered.

 

1.4 Promotion During the Yuan Dynasty

In the 13th century, Tibetan Buddhism was adopted as the state religion of the Mongol-led Yuan Empire. Kublai Khan honored Drogön Chögyal Phagpa, the fifth patriarch of the Sakya school, as the "State Preceptor" and bestowed upon him the title "Buddha’s incarnation, the son of Buddha under the heavens and upon the earth." From then on, the recitation of the Six-Syllable Mantra rapidly spread and became widely practiced among various ethnic groups.

 

2.Culture & Meaning

2.1 Meaning of Each Syllable

 

唵 (ōng): Represents the heart of the Buddha family, symbolizing the Dharmakāya, Saṃbhogakāya, and Nirmāṇakāya (the three bodies of the Buddha). It signifies the power to purify all karmic obstacles and eliminate the sufferings of birth and death in the celestial realms.

 

嘛 (mā): Means "wish-fulfilling jewel" and represents the heart of the jewel family. It symbolizes compassion like the wish-fulfilling gem, eliminating the sufferings of conflict among the asuras (demigods).

 

呢 (nī): Means "heart of the jewel" and represents the power to awaken inner awareness. It eliminates the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death in the human realm.

 

叭 (bēi): Symbolizes the purity of the lotus and represents the heart of the lotus family. It eliminates the sufferings of servitude and labor in the animal realm.

 

咪 (mēi): Represents the radiance of wisdom and symbolizes the power to dispel the darkness of ignorance. It eliminates the sufferings of hunger and thirst in the realm of hungry ghosts.

 

吽 (hòng): Symbolizes the indestructible vajra heart and represents the power to destroy all afflictions and karmic obstacles. It eliminates the sufferings of heat and cold in the hell realms.

 

2.2 Overall Meaning

The Six-Syllable Mantra as a whole symbolizes "the wish-fulfilling jewel in the lotus." It signifies that through reciting this mantra, one can attain achievements as effortless as the wish-fulfilling gem while maintaining a pure nature, unstained by defilements, like the lotus rising from the mud.

 

2.3 Significance in Spiritual Practice：Eliminating the Six Root Afflictions

 

Each syllable of the mantra corresponds to eliminating one of the six fundamental afflictions:

 

唵 (ōng): Eliminates pride.

 

嘛 (mā): Eliminates envy.

 

呢 (nī): Eliminates greed.

 

叭 (bēi): Eliminates ignorance.

 

咪 (mēi): Eliminates miserliness.

 

吽 (hòng): Eliminates hatred.

 

2.4 Cultural Influence of the Six-Syllable Mantra

In Tibetan Buddhism, the Six-Syllable Mantra is regarded as the emblem of this tradition, known and recited by nearly everyone in Tibetan communities. From birth to death, Tibetan devotees carry this mantra with them throughout their lives. In Tibet, the mantra is carved onto stones, inscribed on prayer flags, and printed on prayer wheels, forming a unique cultural landscape of the plateau.

 

The Six-Syllable Mantra also stands as a testament to multicultural exchange, with its written forms appearing in various ethnic scripts, including Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese, Tangut, Uighur, and Phags-pa. The stele of the Six-Syllable Mantra in the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang features the mantra inscribed in six different scripts, vividly documenting the historical scene of ethnic coexistence and cultural fusion along the Hexi Corridor during the Yuan Dynasty. The Six-Syllable Mantra is not merely a religious incantation but a cultural symbol that embodies the faith of the Tibetan people over millennia, reflecting their aspirations for a better life and their pursuit of spiritual liberation.