[Buddha-l] OṂ MAṆI PAD ME HŪṂ (was: Re: "Western Self, Asian Other" )

[Chris Fynn]

Dan Lusthaus wrote:

>... There are, it seems 
> to me, three major drawbacks to this interpretation. In order to connect the 
> formula to an orthodox fivefold scheme of buddhas, it becomes necessary to 
> lengthen the formula by the arbitrary addition of the extra syllable Hrih 
> (the associated bija, or “seed syllable,” which is traditionally used as a 
> symbol of the potentiality of Avalokitesvara or that from which the 
> bodhisattva may manifest).

In the Tibetan tradition the *six* Buddhas that the syllables of the 
saḍakṣara mantra of Avalokiteśvara, OṂ MAṆI PAD ME HŪṂ, are associated 
with are the six nirmāṇakāya muni (sprul-sku  thub-drug)~ aspects of 
Buddha (/Avalokiteśvara) said to manifest in the six realms of living 
beings:

1. OṂ with Indraśakra - the muni of the gods realm

2. MA with Vemacitra - the muni of the anti-gods realm

3. ṆI with Śhākyasiṃha or Śhākyamuni - the muni of the human realm

4. PAD with Stirasiṃha -the muni of the animals realm

5. ME with Jvālamukha - the muni of the anguished spirits realm

6. HŪṂ with Yama Dharmarāja - the muni of the hell realm


Mindfully reciting this mantra is beleived to purify the defilement 
assosiated with each realm (1. pride 2. envy 3. attachment, 4. 
ignorance, 5. greed, 6. anger); thus to help liberate beings in each of 
these six realms and to cut off future rebirth in each of these realms 
for oneself. This is the "meaning" of the mantra which has been 
consitently taught by Tibetan lamas for well over a thousand years and 
the understanding of Tibetans who recite it with faith in its efficacy.

Each of these six muni is normally represented and visualised as a 
peaceful standing Buddha of a particular colour (1. white, 2. green, 3. 
golden-yellow, 4. blue, 5. red, 6. black) holding an article
symbolically associated with the way Buddha conveys Dharma in each realm.

There are several ancient iconographic forms of Avalokiteśvara depicted 
in the centre of a six petalled lotus surrounded by these six 
nirmāṇakāya muni ~ one on each petal.

The HRĪḤ from which the six syllables emanate, is of course associated 
with Avalokiteśvara from whom the six muni emanate.

- Chris