Guanyin Bodhisattva is like our mother, always kind, warm and responsive to our needs. She can always help us resolve various troubles in life and provide us with everything we need the most. Guanyin Bodhisattva’s mantra – the Six-syllable Mantra (Om Ma Ni Pad Me Hum) – is a mantra that, once chanted, allows us to connect with her. This mantra contains the power of Guanyin Bodhisattva’s compassionate vows and blessings; it is the manifestation of the greater compassion and wisdom of all buddhas, as well as powerful energy from the Universe.
Those who are sick can silently chant the Six-Syllable Mantra or the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva to summon her to heal their illness. For those who lack wisdom, worshipping Guanyin Bodhisattva regularly will make them wiser. For mothers who worry about their children’s future, they may entrust their children to Guanyin Bodhisattva and pray for her to take care of them and guide them towards a bright path. The selfless spirit of great compassion, where one responds to the cries of suffering and answers thousands of prayers, is also the secret of how Guanyin Bodhisattva attained enlightenment.
The Meaning of the Six-Syllable Mantra
The Six-Syllable Mantra allows us to quickly communicate and resonate with Guanyin Bodhisattva, and this is its true meaning. It also represents illumination, compassion, energy, and merits. According to Grandmaster JinBodhi, the Six-Syllable Mantra consists of six syllables of greater illumination which correspond to the Six Perfections – generosity, discipline, tolerance, diligence, meditation, and wisdom – and the unity of Heaven, Earth, and humanity. In other words, it shows how humans become one with Nature.
Grandmaster JinBodhi said, “When I was young, I thought that it was possible for the body to become one with Heaven and Earth. The idea was correct, but my understanding was not enough. How big is the sky? It is infinitely huge. Even if we fly a plane for billions of years, we still cannot reach the edge of the Universe because it is infinite, while the human body is limited. The conclusion? What doesn’t have form has no limit. Apart from Heaven, everything today has its own form and a limit. How big is Heaven in the concept of the unity of Heaven and humanity? We don’t know, and this leaves us with limitless imagination. When visualizing during meditation, we must find such sense of infinity.”
The Benefits of the Six-Syllable Mantra
What changes will occur in life after chanting the Six-Syllable Mantra? Grandmaster JinBodhi once told a story about a monk who swept a temple. A master and his disciple lived in the temple, and one day, the master had to go on a long journey. He told his disciple before leaving, “You must take good care of the courtyard and remember to clean it every day.” The disciple asked, “What about my practice?” The master thought, “This disciple is not very smart. He won’t remember anything I teach him. I’ll just let him chant a simple mantra.” The master taught his disciple the Six-Syllable Mantra and asked him to chant every time he swept the floor.
Three years later, the master returned from his journey and saw many people waiting outside the temple. He asked what was happening, and a lady told him that there was a monk who was particularly good at treating illnesses. The master went inside the temple and saw that it was his not-so-smart disciple who was treating people.
After all the visitors had left that night, the master asked his disciple how he had acquired such a skill. The disciple said, “I didn’t do anything special. I just followed your instructions and chanted the Six-Syllable Mantra every time I swept the floor. I didn’t feel anything special myself. One day, someone came to offer incense and had a headache. I chanted the Six-Syllable Mantra while patting his head, and after a while, his headache was gone. After that, more people came to me for treatment.” The master heard what his disciple said and praised him.
The monk who swept the temple chanted the mantra single-mindedly without distraction. He had no selfish desires or attachments, but he had a pure mind. Chanting the Six-Syllable Mantra with utmost sincerity is incredibly powerful and unlocks infinite possibilities. With sincerity, one can attain purity and infinite wisdom, inconceivable dharma power, as well as unshakable compassion.
How Does Chanting the Six-Syllable Mantra Benefit us and the World?
Grandmaster JinBodhi says, “When chanting, let the body and the mantra become one, and when we chant with good intentions and compassionate thoughts, it can cleanse filth and attachments from our body, which is the best way to relax our body and mind. Without greed, and with a heart that wants to bring compassion and love to all sentient beings in the world, our mind can relax.
When chanting, we can visualize our body as translucent, colorless, and crystal-like. Our entire body is fully illuminated, without any shade of darkness. The illumination then extends to the entire world; it is not as if beams are being released from our body, but rather, we are making the entire world appear brighter through our compassionate visualization. This illumination brings light, goodness, kindness, and happiness, making the entire world, as far as we can imagine, bright because of our compassionate visualization.
After chanting for a while, the merits and energy of the chanting are transmitted to the entire world. It may make many people happy and help some find jobs today or tomorrow, and reduce the impact of natural disasters or prevent harm. All of this comes from our sincere and compassionate chanting, which is only possible with great aspiration. Visualizing all sentient beings as healthy and happy, rather than just focusing on one’s own purity and brightness, is the most effective practice, as it combines compassion, aspiration, and wisdom.
One’s practice can generate an immense and boundless compassionate energy “field”, which resonates with all sentient beings on Earth and beyond. This is not wishful thinking, but a practical reality, as self-cultivation practice has its own energy and is connected to the Universe. This is why it is called “the unity of Heaven, Earth, and humanity”.
Chanting the Six-Syllable Mantra with Grandmaster JinBodhi
This video explains in detail the pronunciation and meaning of the Six-Syllable Mantra, as well as the merits earned and stories about the mantra. The chanting session is led by Grandmaster JinBodhi, and we should be grateful for the immeasurable blessings of the great compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva! Let us wish that everyone who chants or hears this mantra can attain purity, peace, illumination, freedom from afflictions, as well as happiness and joy.
The Six-Syllable Mantra: Stories and Sharing
Testimonial 1：Jane Li, Malaysia
I had back pain for over a year, and every morning when I woke up, I had pain. Additionally, my hands and feet were often cold. However, since I started chanting the Six-Syllable Mantra, these problems have improved. I no longer experience back pain when I wake up in the morning, and my hands and feet have become warmer.
Testimonial 2：Chen Ling, Taiwan
During the pandemic, I often went online and watched videos of Grandmaster JinBodhi chanting the Six-Syllable Mantra, and I would chant along. Recently, I realized that my sleep quality has improved. In the past, I used to lie in bed for one or two hours, tossing and turning, and woke up two or three times during the night. Since I started chanting sincerely, as soon as I lie down, I fall asleep in less than 10 minutes, and wake up in the morning feeling happy. I am grateful for the blessings of Guanyin Bodhisattva and the blessings of Grandmaster JinBodhi!
Guanyin Bodhisattva’s Enlightenment Day
In a few days, we will be celebrating the 19th day of the sixth lunar month, Guanyin Bodhisattva’s Enlightenment Day. People believe that every day in June is auspicious. On this auspicious day, the positive energy field of goodness can be felt everywhere. Let us sincerely chant the Six-Syllable Mantra or the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva for ourselves, our families, and all beings!
May those who are ill obtain proper medical treatment and recover their health. May the world be peaceful and bright, free from wars. May everyone’s wishes come true, in their relationships, families, and careers.
Let us chant sincerely to communicate with the Buddha. Let us wish that those who have the fate to encounter the Buddha, or those who have not yet encountered the Buddha, can receive the compassionate blessings of the buddhas and bodhisattvas, and enjoy health, auspiciousness, happiness, and joy!
Extra Reading：
The Religion of Guanyin Bodhisattva, her Name and her Enlightenment
