11 Most Popular Tibetan Buddhism Mantras With Their Meanings

Tibetan mantras are syllables, words, or phrases with a spiritual significance which, by repetition, have beneficial effects on all levels of your being: physical (healing), mental (reconciliation, harmonization) and spiritual (states of enlightenment).

The meaning of the word ”mantra” in Sanskrit is ‘protector of mind’. Our minds are often overwhelmed by stress and anxiety.

Chanting mantras gives the mind something positive to focus on (just like pranayama breathing helps the body relax).

They can be accompanied by a song (chanting), pronounced aloud (japa, repetition) or they can be pronounced only mentally, with awareness breaks (meditation).

Mantras have been used for millennia particularly in Eastern spiritual practice, but they are quite prevalent in the West as well.

Mantras are like a trampoline helping you leave lower frequencies and propel yourself to high frequencies, toward higher dimensions from manifestation.

Here is a selection that contains some of the most popular and beautiful Tibetan Buddhism mantras:

#1 OM

It is considered to be the most important of all mantras.

The sound ”OM” represents the origin of all other sounds and that is was the basis of the Universe’s formation.

Working with this mantra can help you reach some of the highest spiritual achievements, such as opening the third eye or even the state of enlightenment.

#2 OM MANI PADME HUM – Chenrezig Mantra

It is one of the leading Buddhist mantras. This mantra is very useful both for learners and for the most advanced monks.

Its significance follows this message: The whole Universe is like a crystal (in some translations – a pearl), which is inside my heart (or inside a lotus flower – representation of the I) and this crystal shines in my heart. In short: The Universe – God is in our heart and is found in each of us. Certainly, its message is much deeper.

This mantra is chanted meditating on the connection between us and the Universe, between us and God, with a sense of altruism, love, and dedication.

Mental focus on this mantra becomes very beneficial, bringing peace of mind, removing all obstacles from our path to spiritual development.

#3 Green Tara Mantra

Tara is a female aspect of Divinity that embodies compassion for all beings.

This mantra is used to remove all that is impure in our body and mind.

#4 White Tara Mantra

White Tara is popular because it is known for giving the blessing for a long life. For this reason, many practitioners receive initiation in White Tara, performing the appropriate practice when they become sick. It will come to their aid and save them from illness and death.

White Tara is known as Chintamattra Chakra, ”Wheel Accomplishing  All Wishes”, a name that comes from the root mantra at the heart of it.

#5 Guru Rinpoche Mantra

The mantra of Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) helps us receive guidance and find suitable mentors.

It is a mantra that doesn’t necessarily require initiation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=79&v=zJElmjFnp8M

#6 Medicine Buddha Mantra

It helps heal physical suffering and more.

#7 Manjushri Mantra

In order to use the power wisely or to live in peace and harmony, we need wisdom as well.

In this regard, Manjusri’s mantra is very helpful.

#8 Buddha Akshobhya Mantra

This mantra practice is said to be extremely powerful for “rescuing” those who have fallen into the lower realms of existence.

#9 Buddha Shakyamuni Mantra

The mantra of Shakyamuni Buddha could be said to be the essence of the Buddha, the essence of his enlightenment.

It is in no way separate from the Buddha himself.

#10 Vajrasattva Mantra (100 Syllable Mantra)

The mantra of a hundred-syllable, Vajrasattva is the mantra for karma purification, an important practice of purification that prepares us for this life, the next, for other practices and any experiences that we want to live peacefully.

Vajrasattva cuts karma, purifies and solves our inner and outer blockages, conscious and/or unconscious; it also cuts and destroys the most deep-rooted fears, unforgiveness, anger, illusions, ignorance, suffering and all that stands in the way of INNER PEACE.

#11 Prajnaparamita Mantra (Heart Sutra)

A rough translation of this sutra would be this: “Go away, you all go away on the other side!” (from the state of suffering to the state of awakening).

Working with this mantra helps us become more generous, patient, aware, tenacious, focused, and wise.

Final Words

And now, a few suggestions to achieve the desired results as quickly as possible:

If you prefer working with a mantra by utterance, don’t do it mechanically; pronounce it clear and remain present.

When you repeat a mantra, repeat it at least 108 times (it doesn’t take more than 5-10 minutes). It is a number with spiritual meanings, but I will write about it in a different article.

You can count your repetitions with a string of mala, containing 108 grains of various materials (wood, glass, plastic, gemstones, round seeds, etc). You can make them yourself just as easy, from beads and a durable thread.

In addition, you can do mantra meditation while walking to combine physical exercise with meditation.

If you prefer chanting the mantras, put a lot of heart and conscious intent into it.

What matters most in achieving results is perseverance in practice, in other words, everyday practice.

Featured image credit – Shutterstock

READ THIS NEXT: Kundalini Mantras With Their Meanings

References

https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/mantras-101-the-science-behind-finding-your-mantra
https://www.verywellmind.com/use-mantra-meditation-for-stress-relief-3144787