Mantrapedia

Encyclopedia of Sacred Mantras from Hindu and Buddhist Traditions

The Power of Sacred Sound

In the ancient traditions of India and Tibet, sound is not merely vibration — it is the primordial force of creation itself. The Sanskrit word Nāda refers to this cosmic sound, the subtle current that underlies all existence. Mantras are crystallized forms of this divine resonance, sacred syllables discovered by sages in deep states of meditation.

When we chant a mantra, we align ourselves with frequencies that have been refined over millennia. Each syllable carries śakti — spiritual power — that works on multiple levels: the physical vibration calms the nervous system, the focused repetition stills the mind, and the sacred meaning opens the heart to transcendent states of awareness.

मन्त्र · From man (mind) + tra (instrument) — "that which protects and liberates the mind"

Akshobhya Dharani

namo ratnatrayāya oṃ kaṃkani kaṃkani rocanī rocanī troṭani troṭani trāsanī trāsanī pratihana pratihana sarva-karma-paraṃ-parāṇi me sarva-sattvānāṃ ca svāhā

buddhist Akshobhya

Dharani of Akshobhya Buddha for purifying karma and overcoming obstacles

Akshobhya Mantra

Om Akshobhya Hum

buddhist Akshobhya

Invoking the immovable Buddha

Amitabha Mantra

Om Ami Dewa Hrih

buddhist Amitabha

Homage to the Buddha of Infinite Light

Amitayus Mantra

Om Amarani Jivantiye Svaha

buddhist Amitayus

Invoking the Buddha of Infinite Life for longevity and removing obstacles to life

Amoghasiddhi Mantra

Om Amoghasiddhi Ah

buddhist Amoghasiddhi

Invoking the Buddha of unfailing accomplishment

Bodhicitta Prayer

oṃ bodhicittam utpādayāmi

buddhist

I generate the mind of awakening

Cundi Dharani

Namo Saptanam Samyak Sambuddha Kotinam Tadyatha Om Chale Chule Chundi Svaha

buddhist Cundi

Homage to the seven million perfectly enlightened Buddhas, invoking Cundi for purification and blessings

Dhyani Buddhas Bija Mantra

Oṃ Hūṃ Trāṃ Hrīḥ Āḥ Hūṃ Oṃ

buddhist

The combined seed syllables of the Five Dhyani Buddhas, invoking the essence of all Buddha families

Ekajati Mantra

Om Hrih Mama Hum Ni Svaha

buddhist Ekajati

Invoking the fierce single-braided protectress of Dzogchen teachings

Garuda Mantra (Buddhist)

Om Garuda Hung Phat

buddhist Garuda

Invoking the power of Garuda

Great Compassion Dharani

Namo Ratna Trayaya Nama Arya Jnana Sagara Vairochana Vyuha Rajaya Tathagataya Arhate Samyak Sambuddhaya Nama Sarva Tathagatebyah Arhatebhyah Samyak Sambuddhebhyah Nama Arya Avalokiteshvaraya Bodhisattvaya Mahasattvaya Mahakarunikaya Tadyatha Om Dhara Dhara Dhiri Dhiri Dhuru Dhuru Itte Vatte Chale Chale Prachale Prachale Kusume Kusumavare Ili Mili Chiti Jvalam Apanaye Svaha

buddhist Avalokiteshvara

The great dharani of compassion invoking the thousand-armed Avalokiteshvara for protection and blessing

Green Tara Mantra

Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha

ॐ तारे तुत्तारे तुरे स्वाहा

buddhist Tara

Homage to Tara, the swift liberator

Hayagriva Mantra

Om Hrih Benza Trodha Hayagriva Hulu Hulu Hum Phat

buddhist Hayagriva

Invoking the wrathful horse-headed one to destroy obstacles

Heart Sutra Mantra

Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha

buddhist Prajnaparamita

Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone completely beyond, awakening!

Kalachakra Mantra

Om Ham Ksha Ma La Va Ra Ya Svaha

buddhist Kalachakra

The ten-syllable mantra of the Wheel of Time, unifying outer, inner, and alternative cycles

Ksitigarbha Mantra

Om Ha Ha Ha Vismaye Svaha

buddhist Ksitigarbha

Invoking the Earth Store Bodhisattva

Kurukulla Mantra

Om Kurukulle Hrih Svaha

buddhist Kurukulla

Invoking the Red Tara of magnetizing for love, influence, and bringing beings to Dharma

Long Amitabha Dharani

namo ratnatrayāya namaḥ āryāmitābhāya tathāgatāyārhate samyaksaṃbuddhāya tadyathā oṃ amite amitod-bhave amita-saṃbhave amita-vikrānte amita-vikrānta-gāmine gagana-kīrti-kare svāhā

buddhist Amitabha

Extended dharani honoring Amitabha Buddha for rebirth in Pure Land

Mahakala Mantra

Om Shri Mahakala Hum Hum Phat

buddhist Mahakala

Invoking the great black protector

Maitreya Mantra

Om Maitri Maitreya Maha Karuna Ye Svaha

buddhist Maitreya

Homage to Maitreya of great compassion and loving-kindness

Mani Mantra

Om Mani Padme Hum

ॐ मणि पद्मे हूँ

buddhist Avalokiteshvara

The jewel is in the lotus

Manjushri Mantra

Om A Ra Pa Ca Na Dhih

buddhist Manjushri

Awakening primordial wisdom

Medicine Buddha Mantra

Tayata Om Bekandze Bekandze Maha Bekandze Radza Samudgate Soha

buddhist Medicine Buddha

May all beings be healed and free from suffering

Namo Amitabha Buddha

Namo Amitabha Buddha

buddhist Amitabha

Homage to Amitabha Buddha

Palden Lhamo Mantra

Om Jo Mo Ral Chig Ma Dud Sol Ma Nag Mo Tham Chad Dud Kyi Gyal Mo Che Khyod Kyi Thrin Le Ma Lus Drub Par Shog

buddhist Palden Lhamo

Invoking the fierce female protector of Tibet and the Dalai Lamas

Ratnasambhava Mantra

Om Ratnasambhava Tram

buddhist Ratnasambhava

Invoking the jewel-born Buddha

Rebirth Mantra

namo amitābhāya tathāgatāya tadyathā amṛtod-bhave amṛta-siddhaṃ-bhave amṛta-vikrānte amṛta-vikrānta-gāmini gagana-kīrtikare svāhā

buddhist Amitabha

Homage to Amitabha Tathagata, invoking the nectar of immortality for rebirth in Pure Land

Refuge Formula

buddhaṃ śaraṇaṃ gacchāmi dharmaṃ śaraṇaṃ gacchāmi saṅghaṃ śaraṇaṃ gacchāmi

buddhist

I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha

Samantabhadra Mantra

Om Ah Hum Bodhichitta Maha Sukha Jnana Dhatu Ah

buddhist Samantabhadra

Invoking the primordial Buddha of the dharmakaya, representing the nature of mind itself

Shakyamuni Buddha Mantra

Om Muni Muni Maha Muni Shakyamuni Svaha

buddhist Shakyamuni Buddha

Homage to the sage, the great sage, the sage of the Shakyas

Sitatapatra Mantra

Om Sarva Tathagata Ushnisha Sitatapatre Hum Phat

buddhist Sitatapatra

Invoking the White Umbrella Goddess for powerful protection against all harm and negative forces

Ushnishavijaya Mantra

Om Bhrum Svaha Om Amrita Ayur Dade Svaha

buddhist Ushnishavijaya

Invoking the Victorious Ushnisha deity for longevity, purification, and liberation from lower rebirths

Vairocana Mantra

Om Vairocana Hum

buddhist Vairocana

Invoking the illuminating cosmic Buddha

Vajra Guru Mantra

Om Ah Hum Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hum

buddhist Padmasambhava

Homage to the Lotus-Born Vajra Guru, grant accomplishment

Vajrakilaya Mantra

Om Vajra Kili Kilaya Sarva Vighnaan Bam Hum Phat

buddhist Vajrakilaya

O Vajra Dagger, destroy all obstacles

Vajrapani Mantra

Om Vajrapani Hum

buddhist Vajrapani

Invoking the wielder of the thunderbolt

Vajrasattva 100-Syllable Mantra

Om Vajrasattva Samayam Anupalaya Vajrasattva Tvenopatishtha Dridho Me Bhava Sutoshyo Me Bhava Suposhyo Me Bhava Anurakto Me Bhava Sarva Siddhim Me Prayaccha Sarva Karma Sucha Me Chittam Shriyam Kuru Hum Ha Ha Ha Ha Hoh Bhagavan Sarva Tathagata Vajra Ma Me Muncha Vajri Bhava Maha Samaya Sattva Ah Hum Phat

buddhist Vajrasattva

The complete purification mantra invoking Vajrasattva to purify all negative karma and obscurations

Vajrasattva Short Mantra

Om Vajrasattva Hum

buddhist Vajrasattva

Invoking the diamond being of purification

White Tara Mantra

Om Tare Tuttare Ture Mama Ayuh Punya Jnana Pustim Kuru Svaha

buddhist White Tara

Tara, increase my lifespan, merit, and wisdom

Yamantaka Mantra

Om Yamantaka Hum Phat

buddhist Yamantaka

Invoking the Conqueror of Death, wrathful Manjushri, to destroy ignorance and overcome death

Yellow Jambhala Mantra

Om Jambhala Jalendraye Svaha

buddhist Yellow Jambhala

Invoking the Buddhist wealth deity for prosperity and removal of poverty

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