This mantra is known as the "Mantra of Avalokiteshvara" or the "Great Compassion Mantra" in Tibetan Buddhism. Here is a breakdown of its key aspects:
**Pronunciation:**
The mantra is pronounced roughly as follows:
"Na-mo rat-na tra-ya-ya,
Na-mo ar-ya gya-na
Sa-ga-ra, vai-ro-cha-na,
Byu-ha-ra ja-ra ta-tha-ga-ta-ya,
A-ra-ha-te, sam-yak-sam bud-dha-ya,
Na-mo sar-va ta-tha-ga-te bhyah,
Ar-ha-ta bhyah,
Sam-yak-sam bud-dhe bhyah,
Na-mo ar-ya a-va-lo-ki-te
sho-ra-ya bo-dhi-sat-tva-ya,
Ma-ha sat-tva-ya,
Ma-ha ka-ru-ni-ka-ya,
Ta-dya-ta, Om da-ra da-ra,
Di-ri di-ri, du-ru du-ru
It-te ve, it-te cha-le cha-le,
Pu-ra-cha-le pu-ra-cha-le,
Ku-su-me ku-su-ma va-re,
I-li mi-lli, chi-ti jva-lam, a-pa-na-ye sho-ha"
**Meaning and Significance:**
This lengthy mantra is a powerful invocation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Its core meaning can be summarized as:
"Homage to the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha),
Homage to the Ocean of Noble Wisdom,
Homage to the Tathagatas (Buddhas),
Homage to noble Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion"
The remainder of the mantra contains mystical syllables and phrases that are believed to embody and invoke the essence of great compassion.
**Usage in Meditation:**
This mantra is often used in compassion-focused meditation practices. Practitioners may:
1. Recite it slowly while visualizing Avalokiteshvara
2. Use it as a focus for developing loving-kindness towards all beings
3. Chant it repeatedly to cultivate a sense of universal compassion
It's believed that sincere recitation of this mantra can help transform one's mind, opening the heart to boundless compassion for all sentient beings.