Namu Amitabul & Om Mani Padme Hum: Meaning, How to Chant
Namu Amitabul means "I take refuge in Amitabha Buddha"; Gwanseeum Bosal is the name of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion who hears the cries of the world; and Om Mani Padme Hum is Avalokiteshvara's six-syllable mantra. Chanting (yeombul, the Korean form of nianfo) means repeating such a name or mantra and moving one prayer bead with each repetition to gather the mind in one place. With the prayer beads in the online temple Hapjang (합장) you can choose any of these three, or "One breath," which moves one bead per breath without any words.
- Choices
- Namu Amitabul · Gwanseeum Bosal · Om Mani Padme Hum · One breath
- Pace per bead
- A little over 2 seconds per chant, about 5 seconds per breath
- Sound
- Silent; you chant along in your mind
- Where
- Prayer beads anywhere; chanting with the moktak on a cushion in the Main Buddha Hall
What do the three chants mean?
- Namu Amitabul (Homage to Amitabha Buddha): "namu" means to return to and rely on, that is, to take refuge, and Amitabha is understood as the Buddha of boundless light and life. It is the most widely chanted phrase in Pure Land devotion, which longs for the Pure Land of Bliss.
- Gwanseeum Bosal (Avalokiteshvara): the name of the bodhisattva of compassion who listens to and watches over those who suffer. Simply calling the name is itself considered chanting.
- Om Mani Padme Hum: Avalokiteshvara's six-syllable mantra, said to hold the bodhisattva's heart. It is often glossed as "the jewel in the lotus," but tradition values reciting a mantra as sound rather than analyzing its meaning.
Out loud or silently?
At temples a group may chant aloud together in time with the moktak, while on your own you might murmur softly or chant only in your mind. Neither is more correct; choose whichever keeps your mind less scattered at the time. Which chant to use and how many times vary a little from temple to temple.
If religious words feel uncomfortable: One breath
"One breath" means moving one bead for each in-and-out breath without reciting anything. It suits anyone who, regardless of faith, just wants to follow the feel of the beads and the length of the breath.
How to chant with prayer beads
- Pick one Choose one to repeat today: Namu Amitabul, Gwanseeum Bosal, Om Mani Padme Hum, or One breath.
- Settle in Sit comfortably, hang the beads over your hand, and take a couple of calm breaths.
- One bead per chant Recite once and move one bead. Don't rush; make each repetition clear.
- Come back When your mind wanders, return to the chant from the moment you notice.
- Finish When you've finished one round or the amount you set, stay still for a moment, then put your palms together.
Try it in Hapjang
Bring out the beads with the [Prayer beads] button or the B key, then choose a chant: Namu Amitabul, Gwanseeum Bosal, Om Mani Padme Hum or One breath. There's no audio; the beads move one at a time at the pace of one recitation, and you chant along in your mind. One breath is the slowest, about 5 seconds per bead. In the Bowing & chanting panel on a cushion in the Main Buddha Hall, you can also chant Namu Amitabul or Gwanseeum Bosal to the sound of the moktak.
Frequently asked questions
What does Namu Amitabul mean?
It means "I return to and rely on Amitabha Buddha." "Namu" expresses taking refuge, and "Amitabha" is understood to mean boundless light and life.
What does Om Mani Padme Hum mean?
It's the six-syllable mantra of Avalokiteshvara. It's often glossed as "the jewel in the lotus," but with mantras, reciting the sound itself is valued more than interpreting it.
Should I chant Gwanseeum Bosal or Namu Amitabul?
There's no right answer. Pick the one you feel drawn to and keep at it; if religious words feel unfamiliar, you can count one bead per breath instead.
What is "One breath"?
It's a way of moving one prayer bead each time you breathe, without reciting any words. You can choose it with the prayer beads in Hapjang.
Related pages
- How to Use Buddhist Prayer Beads (108 Mala)How to count a 108-bead mala one bead at a time with your right thumb, why you turn back at the guru bead, and bead materials. Try it online at Hapjang.
- Korean Temple Service (Yebul): Seven Bows of ChiljeongnyeHow dawn and evening services flow at a Korean temple and what the seven-bow Chiljeongnye means. Follow the bows to a monk's moktak in Hapjang.
- Simple Breathing Meditation: Inhale 4, Exhale 6The easiest meditation: sit and watch your breath. How to start with a 4-second inhale and 6-second exhale, and breathe with others online in Hapjang.
- Meditation for Beginners: Where to Start and How LongNew to meditation? Start by noticing your breath for 3–5 minutes. Posture, what to do when your mind wanders, and how to breathe with others in Hapjang.
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