Mani Wheels. The Sacred Power of Words
The mantra is inscribed repeatedly on paper inside the prayer wheels. Turning the prayer wheel means the mantra is recited over and over, sending the peaceful prayer of compassion in all directions and purifying the area.
“The benefits of reciting the Compassion Buddha mantra are infinite, like the limitless sky”. ~ Lama Zopa Rinpoche
True Sound of Truth
Ancient Buddhist Story
Long ago, a devoted meditator, contemplated on the Mani mantra for many years, and as his expertise grew, he began to teach others. Although his humility was far from perfect, the monks at the monastery were not concerned.
Several years of successful teaching left the meditator with no thoughts about learning from anyone; but upon hearing about a famous hermit living nearby, the opportunity was too intriguing to be ignored.
The solitary hermit lived on an island in the middle of a lake, so the meditator hired a boatman to row him across to the island. The meditator was very respectful of the old hermit. As they shared some tea, the meditator asked him about his spiritual practice. The old man said he had no spiritual practice, except for a mantra which he repeated all the time. The meditator was pleased to hear that the hermit was using the same mantra as himself, but when the hermit spoke the mantra aloud, the meditator was aghast!
“What’s wrong?” asked the hermit.
“I’m so sorry, but I’m afraid you’ve wasted your whole life! You are pronouncing the mantra incorrectly!”
“Oh, Dear! That is terrible. How should I say it?”
The meditator gave the correct pronunciation, and the old hermit was very grateful, asking to be left alone so he could begin practising straight away. On the way back across the lake the meditator was pondering upon the sad fate of the hermit.
“It’s so fortunate that I came along. At least he will have a little time to practice correctly before he dies.” Just then, the meditator noticed that the boatman was looking shocked, and turned to see the hermit standing respectfully on the water, next to the boat.
“Excuse me, please. I hate to bother you, but I’ve forgotten the correct pronunciation again. Would you please repeat it for me?”
“You obviously don’t need it,” stammered the meditator; but the old man persisted in his polite request until the meditator told him again the way he thought the mantra should be pronounced.
The old hermit repeated the mantra very slowly, over and over, as he walked across the surface of the water back to the island.
A Collection of Buddhist Stories