Practicing Tibetan Buddhism is what I do. What I am. That is life. But What is Tibetan Buddhism. What Am I? That is what I am to talk about. ![mantra.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmX17jEcQ4cbkXrMTtKsA1nmrzivPtsNBYEJzxNq6Mnwh9/mantra.png) First off since I am [Om Mani Padme Hum](https://steemit.com/@vot) I shall introduce it (me) first. It is taught that chanting it, meditating with it or even just looking at it can help one discover what suffering is and how to solve this. So just by looking at my posts you can solve all your pain, just kidding. The most interesting belief in Tibetan culture is that all the teachings of the Buddha are encapsulated within this short mantra. Read to the bottom to get to who I am. The following is more important than me. So what is this phrase? It is really 6 syllables that make up this mantra. The 4 words each have very profound power held within them. While it is recited by many within the Mahayana tradition, it is mostly found in the Tibetan tradition. What is a mantra? It is an incantation, mental command or a formula for concentration at its simplest. In Sanskrit the word translates to "uniting and holding" or bringing all dharma(teachings) together and holding all meanings. Most are said to protect the reciter and benefit him by the virtue of the power it holds. Most have no real translation but its the power that the sound (syllable) produces. Om Mani Padme Hum is the most famous and valued in Buddhism culture. ### Tibetan: ཨོཾ་མ་ཎི་པདྨེ་ཧཱུྂ༔ ### ### Sanskrit: ॐमणिपद्मेहूं ### Lets break down each part of the mantra. Each syllable represents one of the six Pāramitās. The Pāramitās (Sanskrit) are the six perfections. Syllable | Paramita | Perfection/Purifies | Color Representation | Deity Symbol -------|----------|------|----|--- Om | Generosity | Ego or Pride | White | Wisdom Ma | Ethics | Jealiousy | Green | Compassion Ni | Patience | Passion or Desire | Yellow | Three Vajras Pad | Diligence | Ignorance | Blue | Equanimity Me | Renunciation | Greed | Red | Bliss Hum | Wisdom | Aggression or Anger | Black | Quality of Compassion ![om-hindu.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmXPPpETTkg4zv6un6EkHKQjpok2Uvt3RM6NSdTnwihqoR/om-hindu.png) The six Pāramitās are included in many scriptures including the Prajñapāramitā sūtras and the Lotus Sutra from the Mahayana tradition. But in the Karandavyuha Sutra the Buddha states "This is the most beneficial mantra. Even I made this aspiration to all the million Buddhas and subsequently received this teaching from Buddha Amitabha." This is the first description of the mantra that is known. The six perfections: Paramita | Perfections --|-- Dāna pāramitā | generosity, giving of oneself Śīla pāramitā | virtue, morality, discipline, proper conduct Kṣānti pāramitā | patience, tolerance, forbearance, acceptance, endurance Vīrya pāramitā | energy, diligence, vigor, effort Dhyāna pāramitā | one-pointed concentration, contemplation Prajñā pāramitā | wisdom, insight http://www.dharma-haven.org/tibetan/mani-stone2.gif Mani stone Mantra Meditation: I use this mantra often. I usually recite it for the first 10 minutes of my meditation and then followup with a quiet concentration meditation. The best way to recite this mantra is to make it last a whole breath. Stretch the breath and slow the breathing down. The best vibration is produced with that rumble in your throat. It is also good to recite in iterations of 3. 107 or more at least. You should use a Mala, or counter, to keep track. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnC5XvSgzdU Just One of Many Examples >"The mantra Om Mani Pädme Hum is easy to say yet quite powerful, because it contains the essence of the entire teaching. When you say the first syllable Om it is blessed to help you achieve perfection in the practice of generosity, Ma helps perfect the practice of pure ethics, and Ni helps achieve perfection in the practice of tolerance and patience. Pä, the fourth syllable, helps to achieve perfection of perseverance, Me helps achieve perfection in the practice of concentration, and the final sixth syllable Hum helps achieve perfection in the practice of wisdom. So in this way recitation of the mantra helps achieve perfection in the six practices from generosity to wisdom. The path of these six perfections is the path walked by all the Buddhas of the three times. What could then be more meaningful than to say the mantra and accomplish the six perfections?" Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones About Vot: Okay so this is what you were really waiting for right? Who am I. What am I about. I just did that. No so I am really no one. Just a Buddhist. Mostly Tibetan. How can you be a mostly Tibetan Buddhist. Well I practice what works for me. So I have tried many aspects and use what works. I plan on teaching these topics in detail. You do not need to understand everything but get an idea of what it can do for you. I have been teaching Buddhism and its benefits for many years. I have been practicing for over a decade. I am a beginner based on these numbers. There is always room to grow when it comes to meditation and mindfulness. Lets practice together. Are you down? I look forward to teaching and meditating with you guys. Thank you for learning and reading my post. Let me know what you think of this journey.