Buddhist Mantra Is a Meditation to Attain Inner Peace
One of the best ways to maintain a peaceful mind is chanting mantras. It is so simple and convenient that one can apply it anywhere at any time, but the power and blessing is inconceivable. Actually, this is probably one of the most crucial secrets for the pure happiness of the Tibetans.
In terms of meditation in action, there is one way of practice that can be adopted by most of us ordinary people whenever and wherever possible. It’s better to constantly engage our body and speech in meditation. As for myself, my mala or the prayer beads is the best tool to practice meditation in action. I always recite “Om Mani Padme Hum”, the mantra of Avalokiteshvara with them, and visualize Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara at the same time. In this way, our body, speech and mind can be engaged in meditation whenever we are walking, driving or engaging in any other activities.
Indeed, it’s a very practical way of meditation. Here in this room, it’s not just me bringing a string of prayer beads, I also notice many Tibetans wearing praying beads around the neck. Actually, it is not just an adornment as some young people might think. More importantly, it implies a way of practice to help us sustain a peaceful mind in whatever activities we engage in.
This way of practice is also very popular in many Tibetan communities in the Himalayan region. If you go there, you will find that the local people generally enjoy a very happy life and the happiness index in that region is very high. I think, to some extent, it’s related to this practice.
For each one of you whether you believe in the power of mantras or not, you can have a try, as mantras possess incredible power just like medicines do, being endowed with the power to cure, regardless of whether the patients are aware of it or not. To each of us, any method that can help purify our mind is meaningful and of benefit.
I’m not sure if you know how to recite this mantra or not. Now I’ll recite it first, and you just follow me, okay?
Om Mani Padme Hum Hrih
Om Mani Padme Hum Hrih
Om Mani Padme Hum Hrih
…
You can recite it in your daily activities such as walking, washing vegetables or washing dishes, etc. If you can recite it at any time then naturally, deluded thoughts and negative afflictions such as pain, fear, anxiety, etc., will disappear over time.
