How to Practice Tibetan Buddhist Prayer

Tibetan Buddhism offers a variety of ways to pray. Chanting is a form of meditation and can invoke the compassion of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Learn how to practice tibetan buddhist prayer.

Things You'll Need

• Tibetan Buddhist ritual items
• Prayer flags
• Thangkas
• Singing bowls
• Mala beads
• Prayer wheels
• Incense

Instructions

1. 

   Practice meditation of different forms. Mindfulness meditation (shi-né), which is sitting practice, Tonglen (Sending and Taking to connect with suffering), and Chenrezig, Green Tara, and Medicine Buddha visualization practices. Shi-né develops awareness and focuses concentration.

2. 

   Chant OM Mani Padme Hum mantra. The phrases of the mantra create a connection to Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. This is the most commonly used Tibetan Buddhist mantra, although there are other mantras.

3. 

   Pray with a Tibetan Prayer Wheel, called a "mani wheel" by Tibetans. Inside,prayer wheels are tiny scrolls with OM Mani Padme Hum reprinted many times. Spin the wheel while chanting the mantra to spread compassion and to invoke the Buddha of Compassion, Chenrezig.

4. 

   Pray for "Taking Refuge" and generating Bodhicitta. Taking Refuge is fundamental to all schools of Buddhism. It establishes the three central components for Buddhist practice. Taking Refuge is recited as, "I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the supreme Sangha, Until I attain Enlightenment. By the merit I accumulate from practicing generosity and the other perfections, May I attain Enlightenment in order to benefit all living beings."

5. 

   Pray the Long-Life Prayer for His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. "In the snowy mountain paradise, you’re the source of good and happiness. Powerful Tenzin Gyatso, Chenrezig, May you stay until samsara ends."

6. 

   Meditate on the Medicine Buddha for increased physical, mental and emotional health, but mainly for enlightenment for self and all sentient beings. The original Buddha, Sakyamuni, declared that to repeat the name of the Medicine Buddha, Bhaishjaye guru. Chant "Om namo bhagawate Bhaishjaye guru vaidurya prabha rajaya tathagataya arhate samyaksam buddhaya teyatha om bekhajye bekhajye maha bekhajye bekhajye rajaya samungate svaha."

7. 

   Recite Praises, which include Praise to the Twenty-One Taras, Praise to 1000-arm Chenrezig, Praise to Manjushri, and Praise to Amitabha.

Tips & Warnings

• A practicing Tibetan Buddhist will practice with a Master in a specific lineage, which has its own prayers and forms of engagement.

Resources

• Spiritual Healing in Buddhist Tibet
• Praying for Return to Tibetan Homeland
• COmmon Tibetan Buddhist Prayers and Mantras
• Om Mani Padme Hum
• Sacred Tibetan Chants Samples