Meaning & Translation
Sanskrit
ॐ मुनि मुनि महामुनि स्वाहा
Transliteration
Om Mu-ni Mu-ni Ma-ha-mu-ni So-ha
Pronunciation
ohm MOO-nee MOO-nee mah-hah-MOO-nee SOH-hah
Deity / Quality Invoked
Buddha
Full Translation
Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Soha honors Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha: "To the sage, the sage, the great sage, homage!" Muni means sage or silent one; the mantra ascends from sage to great sage, saluting the teacher whose awakening under the bodhi tree opened the path for all.
Spiritual Significance
Reciting the Buddha's mantra is said to plant the seed of one's own awakening and, traditionally, to draw a true teacher into one's life — for without a guide, the path is hard to find. It is often the first mantra given to newcomers in Tibetan Buddhist practice.
Cultural Context & History
The mantra condenses the longer homage "Om Muni Muni Mahamuniye Shakyamuniye Svaha" found in Mahayana liturgy. Deva Premal and the Gyuto Monks of Tibet recorded it as "Buddha" on "Tibetan Mantras for Turbulent Times" (2010), chanting it 108 times in the traditional way.
For Leaders
Chords and structure for leading this chant on harmonium or guitar — transcribed from the linked recording. New to leading? Read our guide to leading kirtan →
Original key
Am
Tempo & feel
Steady recitation pulse (~56 bpm); trance-like, unvarying
Chord Chart
Strumming & rhythm (4/4)
D = downstrum, U = upstrum, · = let it ring. trance recitation: two even downs per bar, unvarying by design.
Chanted 108 times, one cycle:
Call & Response Structure
A single circular phrase repeated 108 times in the traditional way. Am is the drone home; Dm colors 'Mahamuni' and Em leans into 'Soha' before each cycle closes back on Am. There is no verse/chorus — the practice is the repetition itself, so keep the pulse perfectly even and let the voices settle into the loop.