<< At 02:11 PM 5/17/00 -0700, Jacob Korg wrote: And also,What is OM MANI PADME HUM,p.283? I'd be grateful for enlightenment. >> OM MANI PADME HUM (literal translation: "hail the jewel in the lotus") is a six syllable invocation (mantra) of avlokiteswara, who is invoked as the savior and protector from danger. one who recites this mantra will be saved from all dangers and will be protected. this mantra is widely found in every field of mahayana buddhism -- it can be found inscribed on rocks, prayer wheels, chaitya walls, pathways, mountain passes, and the approaches and exits of villages. in its most well-known usage, OM MANI PADME HUM is found inscribed on the surface of prayer wheels with millions of representations of it contained INSIDE, as well -- so therefore, when one spins the prayer wheel, it means he "recites" it millions of times all at once (think eddie murphy entering the tibetan temple in "the golden child" ;) ). as this mantra is all-protective, people often wear it inscribed on pendants, rings, bracelets, etc...which they keep on their person at all times -- and oftentimes, it is chanted over endlessly... to accompany the dead as they cross over from this world into the next. best -- muffy bolding...