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Buddha Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Maha Muniye Soha

Among the Buddhist mantras commonly used by Tibetans, the Buddha Shakyamuni mantra – om muni muni maha muniye soha – is one of the most popular. (Along with some others, like the mantras associated with Avalokitesvara and Green Tara.)

The Buddha Shakyamuni
The Buddha Shakyamuni. Detail from a thangkha created by Tibetan artisans at the Norbulingka Institute near Dharamsala.

Many Tibetans recite this mantra every day, many times a day, while praying on their malas, or circumambulating or prostrating. (If you wish to experience this for yourself, you can learn how to visit Tibet here.)

Who was the Buddha Shakyamuni?

Although there are various Buddhas – such as Maitreya, the Future Buddha, or Amitabha, the Pure Land Buddha – it is the Buddha Shakyamuni that we mean when we say “the Buddha.”

Shakyamuni Buddha was, historically, a spiritual master who lived and taught in modern day India and Nepal in either the 6th or 5th century BCE, and who founded Buddhism.  The name Buddha means the “awakened” or “enlightened” one, and after his own awakening, Shakyamuni taught a path by which others might also be awakened to the true nature of reality, and freed from suffering.

Before we explore the meaning of om muni muni maha muniye soha, you may want to know how Tibetans commonly pronounce it.

Video: How to Say the Buddha Shakyamuni Mantra

What Does Om Muni Muni Maha Muniye Mean?

One simple way to interpret the mantra is to consider that:

Shakyamuni’s mantra is a play on his name. Muni means sage. Maha means great. So the mantra reads “Om wise one, wise one, greatly wise one, wise one of the Shakyans, Hail!”*

Of course, the mantra, like all of the great Buddhist mantras used by Tibetans, signifies infinitely more than the words that comprise it. This is a classic case of the sum of the whole being much greater than its parts.

Buddha Shakyamuni Mantra
Buddha Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Maha Muniye Soha

The great Nyingma scholar Mipham Rinpoche said:

It was through the force of discovering this dharani that the King of Shakyas himself attained enlightenment, and that Avalokiteshvara became the supreme of all the bodhisattvas. Through simply hearing this dharani, a vast accumulation of merit will easily be gained and all karmic obscurations will be purified, and when reciting it, obstacles will not occur. This has been taught in the abridged Prajnaparamita.

Other teachings say that by reciting this dharani only once, all the harmful actions you have committed throughout 800,000 kalpas will be purified. They say that it possesses boundless qualities such as these, and is the sacred heart-essence of Buddha Shakyamuni.
From the Rigpa Wiki

When we recite the Buddha mantra,  we are expressing and embodying that heart-essence.

Here’s another interpretation from the Purify Mind site, this one using a variation – tayata om muni muni maha munaye soha – of the mantra:

The mantra of Shakyamuni Buddha could be said to be the essence of the Buddha, the essence of his enlightenment. It is in no way separate from the Buddha himself.

Mantras are said to carry this enlightenment essence in the very sound of the syllables themselves. It’s an energetic thing. So, translations can sometimes get in the way of the experience of the energy of the mantra if we focus on the so-called meaning of the words at the expense of simply experiencing the sound that is being generated.

Mantra has been described as “a creative sound considered expressive of the deepest essence of things and understandings” thus the recitation of the mantra “can evoke in a formulaic or even magical way” a transcendent state of mind and energy. Also, “mantra is the pure sound of enlightened speech.”
It is Sanskrit, not Tibetan. In fact, mantras are almost untranslatable. But, what we can do is interpret the syllables.

This is Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s interpretation of the Buddha’s mantra:

TA YA THA – it is like this

OM – The All-Knowledge of the three bodies of a buddha and of the infinite Buddha’s Holy Body, Speech and Mind. The knowledge of the two paths to enlightenment (Method and Wisdom), and of the two truths (Absolute and relative) that contain all existence within them.

MUNI – Control over the suffering of the three lower realms and over the wrong conception of the self-existent I.

MUNI – Control over the suffering of all samsara and over self-cherishing thoughts.

MAHA MUNIYE – Great control over the suffering of subtle illusions and over the dualistic mind.

SVAHA – May my mind receive, absorb and keep the blessings of the mantra, and may they take root.

I’ll finish with a quote from Lama Thubten Yeshe:

“Reciting a mantra…does not mean the mere vocal repetition of speech syllables. Many meditators know from experience that the act of reciting mantras transcends external sounds and words. It is more like listening to a subtle inner sound that has always inhabited our nervous system.”

Using the Mantra for Meditation

There’s a long, helpful guide to using the Buddha mantra for meditation at the Federation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition’s (FPMT’s) Osel Shen Phen Ling’s web site. Here’s an excerpt, below, but check out the whole page, too:

From your heart, generate the request to the Buddha that he grant you inspiration to follow the path to full enlightenment; make this request on behalf of all living beings who are trapped in samsara.

Rays of light stream from the figure of the Buddha before you. This light enters your body and quickly removes all negativities, obscurations and hindrances, freeing you to progress quickly on the path. Imagine that this light flows not only to you, but to all living beings situated in space around you. Imagine that they all receive such inspiration and blessings as you recite the name mantra of Shakyamuni Buddha as many times as possible.

tayata om muni muni maha munaye soha

*Wildmind site article:  Shakyamuni Mantra

Sources

More Resources on the Buddha Shakyamuni and his Mantra

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Updated on August 5, 2020. First published on December 8, 2012.

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Most people who want to go to Tibet don't know how to get there or who to trust for help. We’re Lobsang Wangdu and Yolanda O’Bannon, and we help make Tibet travel more simple, safe and ethical so you can feel peace of mind about your trip. Learn more about us and YoWangdu here.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sujith S Menon says

    Is there any food regime I should follow while I recite the mantra? Should I avoid non veg food, or is it ok?

    Reply

  2. Pasang Sherpa says

    Anyone in 2023? I am here to thank Mr. Yowangdu Sir for such a great information to us about Tibetan Buddhism and mantras.

    Reply

  3. Rafael says

    Hi

    I absolutely love the painting of The Buddha Shakyamuni at the top of the page. I would really love to use it for a recording of the mantra I am working on. Is there any way you could connect me with the makers so I can see what it would take to get their permission?

    Kind regards

    Reply

    • Lobsang and Yolanda says

      Hi Rafael, The photo is ours and you are welcome to use it, with a link to https://www.yowangdu.com/ and credit as Photo by YoWangdu Tibet. So glad you like it. The photo is of an applique thangkha we own that was created by Tibetan artisans at the Norbulingka Institute near Dharamsala. Cheers.

      Reply

      • Rafael says

        Thank you so much. That’s super kind.

        I’ve got very fond memories of Dharamsala. I was there, in Mcleod Ganj and Bhagsunag, in 2005 when I did a Vipassana retreat

        If you also have a hi res version at all I’d be very grateful if you could forward it to my email

        Reply

        • Sujith says

          Kindly advise if there is any food restriction which needs to be followed. Can I consume non veg food in those days when i am chanting the mantra.

          Reply

  4. Keith says

    Greetings,can I meditate in a campervan and do I have to be on blessed ground?
    Also do i have to meditate facing East?
    Kindest regards
    Keith

    Reply

    • Lobsang and Yolanda says

      You can meditate absolutely anywhere — you need not be on sacred ground. Your intention to generate the mind of enlightment is all you need.

      Reply

  7. Lawrence says

    Dear Lobsang, may i know if there is a rule of thumb on when is best time to chant the mantra, how many times should I chant on each occasion, and does it differ between different mantras?

    I currently chant Om Mana Padme Hum (x 21) and Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha (x21) each morning and night. Now I hope to include Om Muni Muni Maha Muniye Soha into my daily chanting.

    May I seek your advice please?

    Reply

  8. Brainer says

    There is something that I don’t understand: the mantra
    OM MUNI MUNI MAHA SHAKYAMUNI SVAHA it’s the same of OM MUNI MUNI MAHA MUNIYE SOHA?
    I’ll thank you deeping if you explain to me that question!

    Reply

  9. Phylis says

    Hi.

    I’ve came across a lot of video, audio and articles on Shakyamuni Buddha Mantra. Most video chants “Om Muni Muni Maha Muni Shakyamuniye Soha” while most of the audio and articles shows “Om Muni Muni Maha Muniye Soha”.

    May I know which one should I chant?

    Thank you.

    Phy

    Reply

  11. Renae says

    Namaste Lobsang and Yolanda,
    I have no words to describe what your teachings have done for me.
    I feel, light, informed and most importantly headed in a positive direction upon my path. Reading, absorbing and interacting with everyone on this website has been one of the greatest choices I have ever made.
    It has given me an understanding of what I must do to achieve my personal , let’s call it, contract of life.
    I believe I have found the middle way, and it is this part of knowing, a knowing I have obtained through your guidance, where I feel I have found my inner peace. Thankyou so much. 1 million Blessings to you both. Bonded friendships that will survive forever.
    Xxx. _/\_. Om.

    Reply

    • Karma says

      I will dedicate offerings with your name in mind and send you blessings from the positive merit conducted. May you reach enlightenment soon. Om ami dewa hri

      Reply

  12. Tina M says

    Thank You Lobsang for this informative post. I’m happy to have found your website. I now know how to practice this mantra. May the light of the Buddha be with you always. 🙂

    Reply

  13. Rachael says

    Thank you Lobsang it was more than educational it brought me closer to my guru Lord Shakyamuni Buddha.Mantras are celestial magic like stars within reach.

    Reply

  15. Gianluca says

    Finally I’ve found someone that teaches mantras. Thank you Lobsang. Can you also teach the Tibatan language for beginners maybe with your newsletter? All the best to you.

    Reply

  17. Martin says

    Please can you keep me informed when you are running online mantra accumulations.
    Also do you perform pujas for individuals.
    Thanks and Buddha blessings.
    Martin

    Reply

    • yowangdu says

      Thank you Martin, we will do if we do run online accumulations (thanks for the idea! :-). We don’t perform pujas for individuals. The best way to stay up to date is to sign up for the newsletter on the sidebar of any of our blog pages. All our best to you!

      Reply

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