The "Om Mani Padme Hum" Mantra

I've written a few blog post earlier on mantras, such as how to choose your mantra. But, I've been asked countless time what does Om Mani Padme Hum mean in English. 

 

A new bangle I put up today, that says Om Mani Padme Hum, in Tibetan writing. 

 http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/shangrilacraft/4578303/Tibetan_Silver_Flat_Om_Mani_Padme_Hum_Bangle/Jewelry/Bracelets/Silver

Om Mani Padme Hum doesn't translate very well into English. Roughly it means, "The Jewel is in the Heart of the Lotus" or "Hail who sits on the lotus flower."

OM stands for the practitioner's impure body, speech and mind. And also the exalted body, speech and mind of an enlightened person, a Buddha

MANI  means jewel and stands for the intent for a person to become enlightened

PADME means lotus and is the symbol of wisdom

HUM indicates indivisibility

"Thus the six syllables, OM MANI PADME HUM, mean 

that by the practice of a path which is an indivisible union 

of method and wisdom, you can transform your impure 

body, speech, and mind into the pure exalted body, 

speech, and mind of a Buddha. " 

the Dalai Lama

 Here is a photo I took while I was in Shangri la. It is a pile of mani stones, each saying Om Mani Padme Hum.