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Meaning & Translation
Sanskrit
ॐ आः हूँ वज्र गुरु पद्म सिद्धि हूँ
Transliteration
Om Ah Hum Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hum
Deity / Quality Invoked
Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava)
Pronunciation
ohm ah hoong VAJ-rah GOO-roo PAHD-mah SID-dhee hoong
Full Translation
The Vajra Guru Mantra is the heart mantra of Padmasambhava — Guru Rinpoche, the 'Precious Teacher' who brought Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century. Om Ah Hum purify body, speech, and mind; Vajra Guru names the indestructible, diamond-like teacher; Padma recalls his lotus birth; Siddhi Hum invokes his blessing of spiritual accomplishment.
Spiritual Significance
Chanting this mantra is considered equivalent to invoking Guru Rinpoche himself — his wisdom, compassion, and power to remove obstacles on the path. In the Nyingma tradition it is recited to receive the master's blessing, transform obstacles, and awaken the enlightened qualities already present within.
Cultural Context & History
Padmasambhava is revered across the Himalayas as the 'second Buddha' who established Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet. His mantra is carved on stones, spun in prayer wheels, and chanted especially on Guru Rinpoche Day each lunar month. Deva Premal's meditative rendition on 'Dakshina' (2005) carried it into the Western mantra-music world.
Terms in the Glossary
Words from this page, explained in our A–Z reference.