Om mani padme hum

[Steven H. Veeneman <veener@ntmntm.chi.il.us>]

Ah!  Finally a topic I can contribute about...

Although I personally recite "Om mani padme hum" 108 times each morning
as part of my Buddhist thing, I scarcely remember wondering about its 
literal meaning.  "Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus" is probably right, 
but hearing it referred to gives you a chance to muse on more than its
translation...

It is the personal mantra, according to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan
Buddhism, of Chenresig, the Goddess of Compassion.  She/he is also
known by the names Avaloketisvara towards India and Kuan-Yin towards
China.  Since the rise in Tibet of the Gelugpa sect around the 15th 
century, and since the Dalai Lama is recognised as one of the living
incarnations of Chenresig, "Om mani padme hum" is the national mantra
of Tibet.  Travelers there find it on prayer wheels, prayer flags,
and painted or carved on mountainsides near towns.

I have our beloved KaTe to thank for hearing its correct pronounciation
for the very first time...
-- 
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# Steve Veeneman            veener@ntmntm.chi.il.us  #
# AUNTIE EM, AUNTIE EM!  THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME! #
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