Why is the Mani Mantra so important?

There is no complete enlightenment without an awakened altruistic mind of compassion. Similarly, wherever this awakened or Bodhichita mind of compassion resides, so do the one thousand buddhas of our aeon. The 6 syllable MANI mantra is: OM MANI PADME HUNG. The utterance of each syllable closes the door to a rebirth of suffering in each of the six realms of samsara; the long-lived god realm, human realm, jealous god realm, animal realm, hungry ghost realm and hell realms. When the mantra is said softly, it resounds without any obstruction throughout the three times and through all-pervasive space and even apparent solidity due to the compassion it arouses. By our giving rise to the altruistic, compassionate and awakened mind of Bodhichitta, the five distortions of our inherent wisdoms; arrogant pride, grasping attachment, jealousy, stupidity and bewilderment and hatred, can be immediately and totally purified. The most precious essence of the Buddha Dharma is based on wisdom and compassion and therefore the six syllable Mani mantra has been recognized as the profound King of Mantras by all highly realized masters. It is said that anyone even seeing this mantra, or touching the wind that has passed over the mantra, or by drinking water that has passed over the mantra, will obtain liberation. In Tibet and the entire Himalayan region, benefactors and practitioners alike commission Mani stones to be carved and made into sacred “Mani walls”.

Enjoy the brief video clip by Bob Sink below:

A note from history:

The Mani stone and Mani wall tradition was made famous by his special wife and consort of Songtsen Gampo (Tibetan: སྲོང་བཙན་སྒམ་པོ) who was the 33rd Tibetan king and founder of the Tibetan Empire. He was a major historical figure credited with the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet, influenced by his Nepali consort Bhrikuti, of Nepal's Licchavi dynasty. He is also regarded as responsible for the creation of the Tibetan script.

Making or commissioning Mani stones and walls had tremendous power to maintain peace, Queen Bhrikuti was prolific in commissioning Mani walls to be made from carved mani stones and placed over many mountain passes throughout the Himalayan region.

Since that time, the tradition of commissioning mani stones for inconceivable merit and protection from evil has continued unbroken until today. When you support the Mani Peace Wall, each stone carved with the mantra in proper proportions will be placed into the mani peace wall as your substantial vote for peace in this world.