OM (ॐ)– A widely recognized spiritual symbol in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. The word “Om” is known as a mystical syllable that encapsulates the origin of life and the universe. But do you truly understand everything that revolves around this sacred sound?
Let’s explore together and incorporate it into our daily lives, so that the power of Om can be fully realized and bring positive changes to you through this article!

The Origin of the Word ‘OM’
1 hour of OM chanting
1 hour of Om Mani Padme Hum
The word “Om” (or “Aum”) holds significant influence in Buddhism, particularly in Indian Buddhism. In Buddhism, “Om” is often regarded as a powerful spiritual symbol with profound meaning.
The word Om or AUM is written in Devanagari as ओम्, in Chinese as 唵, and in Tibetan as ༀ. In Vietnamese, OM is pronounced as “ôm” with a prolonged “Ô” sound.
The symbols of the word Om, ओम, are called Omkar (ओम् – कार; Omkaar), Onkar (ओंकार; ONkaar), and ओंकार can also be written as ओँकार (ONnkaar).
The word Om also has other names, such as Udgitha, Oṃkāra, Praṇava, Akṣara, Ekākṣara, and Pranava.
From a Buddhist perspective, the word “Om” represents the unchanging, impermanent, and infinite nature of the universe. It also symbolizes three aspects of existence: creation (Brahma), preservation (Vishnu), and destruction (Shiva). The three parts of “Om” correspond to the three states of the mind: wakefulness (A), sleep (U), and the deep unconscious state (M). Together, they signify the perfection, wholeness, and unity of the universe.
The word “OM,” written in Sanskrit as ॐ, is an ancient symbol used in both Buddhism and Hinduism. It is considered a sacred sound, embodying completeness and nobility in Hinduism. In some schools of Buddhism, especially Vajrayana, “OM” is viewed as a Mantra (sacred chant).
The word “OM” consists of three syllables: A, U, and M, each carrying distinct meanings:
- A represents the state of wakefulness, associated with the perception of the external world through the senses, survival, and reproduction.
- U represents the dreaming state, where the inner world is perceived through illusions, memories, and thoughts.
- M represents the deep sleep state, where only peace and tranquility exist, symbolizing enlightenment and liberation.
The sound “OM” is not only present in Sanskrit scriptures but also in Pāḷi texts. Here are some verses in Pāḷi that mention “OM”:
Namo arahato sammā-sambuddhassa mahesino
Namo uttama-dhammassa svākkhātasseva tenidha
Namo mahā-saṅghassāpi visuddha-sīla-diṭṭhino
Namo omātyāraddhassa ratanattayassa sādhukaṃ
These are the first four lines of the Eightfold Namo (Namokārāṭṭhaka) chant, commonly recited as a protective mantra (paritta) in Thai Buddhism. The meanings of these verses are as follows:
- I pay homage to the Great Recluse, the Blessed One, the Fully Enlightened Buddha.
- I pay homage to the Supreme Dharma, which is well-expounded here.
- I pay homage to the Great Sangha, endowed with pure moral conduct and insight.
- I pay homage in a sacred way to the Triple Gem, beginning with “OM.”
The fourth line shows that the veneration of the Triple Gem is associated with the beginning of the sound “OM” (AUM). Here, “OM” is compared to the Triple Gem: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Looking back at the first three verses, we notice the terms arahato, uttamadhammassa, and mahāsaṅghassāpi, which have the following meanings:
- Arahanta: Arahant, the Buddha
- Uttamadhamma: The Supreme Dharma, Buddha’s teachings
- Mahāsaṅgha: The Great Sangha, the monastic community
When the first letters of these three words are combined, they form “AUM” (OM). Thus, “OM” implicitly represents the beginning of the Triple Gem: “A” is the start of Buddha, “U” is the start of Dharma, and “M” is the start of Sangha.
In mantras, “OM” is often placed at the beginning of a sentence or chant. For example, the Jivaka mantra (used for healing) begins with “OM”:
Om namo jīvako
Karuṇiko sabba sattānaṃ osadha dibbamantaṃ
Pabhāso suriyācandaṃ kumārabhacco pakāsesi vandāmi sirasā ahaṃ
Paṇḍito sumedhasso arogā sumanā homi
The meaning of this mantra is as follows:
Om. I pay homage to Jīvaka
He is compassionate towards all beings and provides us with the sacred medicine.
Like the sun and moon, he shines brightly.
I offer my respect to the great scholar, the wise one, and pray for health and happiness.
In the book Cambodian Buddhism – History and Practice (page 100), author Ian Harris records a Cambodian myth related to “OM.” The story tells of twin siblings, Nan Cittakumara and Nor Cittakumari, who leave the Yāma realm (the realm of death) to seek rebirth in Jambudvīpa (our world). They are guided by deities to find a precious crystal ball formed from the essence of the three letters A, U, and M. These three letters combine to form the sacred “OM.” Harris also notes that these three letters represent the Three Baskets of the Buddhist scriptures (the Vinaya, Sutra, and Abhidhamma).
The Word ‘OM’ in Buddhism

In the Sanskrit Buddhist canon, the sound OṂ is an important one, frequently appearing at the beginning of mantras. The meaning of OṂ is explained by author Alice Getty in her book The Gods of Northern Buddhism: Their History and Iconography. She states that the Buddha Ādi-Buddha began with the sound OṂ, manifesting in the concept of Śūnyatā (Emptiness) through the letter A. Later, Ādi-Dharma, or the Prajñā Devī (Goddess of Wisdom), is revealed through the letter U. The seed mantra (vīja mantra) of the Sangha is M. Therefore, the three letters A-U-M form the seed mantra of the Triple Gem (Triratna) – the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
There is a consistency between the Pāḷi and Sanskrit systems, as both use the sacred sound OṂ as a symbol for the Triple Gem: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
Thus, in addition to its common meanings such as refuge, alertness, subjugation, and offering, OṂ also signifies the veneration and taking refuge in the Triple Gem. When broken down into the three sounds A-U-M, OṂ in Buddhism also carries the following meanings:
- Purification of Body, Speech, and Mind.
- Transformation of Greed, Hatred, and Ignorance.
- Practice of Morality, Meditation, and Wisdom.
- Veneration of the Three Bodies: Dharmakāya, Sambhogakāya, and Nirmāṇakāya, etc.
Regarding the mystical nature of the sound, Buddhist and Hindu practitioners alike place great importance on the practice of the sound OṂ. This sound is considered the essence of all other mantra sounds, and thus, before chanting mantras, it is essential to practice perfecting the sound of OṂ as a prerequisite.
The Word ‘OM’ in Hinduism

In Hinduism, OṂ is a symbol related to Brahman (the Absolute, the Supreme Reality, or the Great Self). The concept of Brahman, in reality, cannot be described through ordinary means. OṂ is the sacred sound that enables one to realize Brahman. OṂ is both the expression of Brahman and beyond the expression of Brahman. In the Upanishads, OṂ is compared to a bow, with the self being the arrow and Brahman being the target. When analyzed as three sounds A-U-M, in Hinduism, OṂ represents the following trinities:
- The Gods: Brahma, Viṣṇu, Śiva
- Actions: Creation, Preservation, Destruction
- The Vedas: Ṛgveda, Yayurveda, Sāmaveda
- Qualities: Truth, Courage, Compassion
- Time: Past, Present, Future, etc.
The Word ‘OM’ in Jainism

The sound OṂ is a mystical sound. This sound contains a strange, magnetic power and has become a source of inspiration for musicians and writers in their creative work. The German author Hermann Hesse, in his famous work Siddhartha (the first Vietnamese translation is titled Câu chuyện dòng sông or The River Story), dedicates an entire chapter to the sound of OṂ. In this chapter, Vesudeva tells Siddhartha to listen to the sound of the river:
“And when Siddhartha listened intently to the river, he realized that it was the song of countless voices. When he no longer focused on pain or laughter, when he untied his soul from any individual voice, and no longer immersed himself in any of them, he listened to them all, perceiving the whole, the unity. And thus, the wonderful song of countless voices rang out in a single sound, the sound of OṂ, the perfection.”
The Meaning of ‘Om’
The word “OM” carries profound and expansive meanings in both Buddhism and Hinduism:
- A Noble Sound Symbol: “OM” is a sacred sound, symbolizing completeness and wholeness. It is considered the primordial sound, representing the creation of the universe.
- A Symbol of Infinite Wisdom: “OM” is regarded as a holistic sound, combining the three parts – A, U, M – which represent the states of wakefulness, dreaming, and deep sleep. It reflects wisdom, wholeness, and boundless understanding.
- A Symbol of Enlightenment and Liberation: “OM” also represents the path of spiritual practice and enlightenment in Buddhism. It signifies liberation from the cycle of knowledge and connection with the universe.
- Enhancing Focus and Peace: Listening to and repeating “OM” can help the mind focus, relax, and reach a state of peace and tranquility.
- Connection with the Divine: “OM” is a symbol of nobility, depth, and mystery, embodying the connection between humans and the universe.
The word “OM” also carries many profound meanings as it represents the energy and power of the entire universe:
- OM means Destiny,
- OM symbolizes the bodies of the Buddhas in mantras,
- OM closes the door to the cycle of samsara,
- OM purifies the self,
- OM is a prayer directed towards the bodies of the Buddhas,
- OM represents serene, peaceful wisdom,
- OM also represents body, speech, and mind.
The cosmic meaning, according to many scholars, is not just about the physical universe outside, but it also represents the inner universe within each individual. The inner universe is the space that holds all the sources of peace, serenity, and purification of body, speech, and mind.
Popular Mantras containing the word “Om”
Mantras commonly incorporate the word “Om” as an essential part. “Om” is not just a symbol but also a spiritual emblem representing the sacredness and power in Buddhism. Here are three popular mantras that many people favor, which I would like to introduce:
- Om mani padme hum (The Six-Syllable Great Mantra): This is a powerful and meaningful mantra that embodies the compassion and wisdom of the Buddha. It is not only a source of inspiration but also a motivation for daily life. This mantra helps practitioners cultivate patience, diligence, compassion, and the understanding of emptiness.
- Om tare tuttare ture soha: This is the mantra of Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin), carrying the message of assistance and protection from all difficulties and suffering in life.
- Om muni muni maha muniye soha: This mantra honors Buddha Shakyamuni and encourages practitioners to connect with His wisdom and compassion.
The Benefits of Chanting the “Om” Mantra
Chanting the “Om” mantra (pronounced “AUM” or “OM”) during meditation can offer numerous spiritual and mental benefits:
- Mental Focus: Chanting “Om” can help enhance mental focus, calm the mind, and bring clarity, helping to clear the thoughts.
- Reducing Stress and Anxiety: Repeating the sound of “Om” can alleviate stress and anxiety, bringing a sense of relaxation and peace.
- Enhancing Spiritual Connection: Chanting “Om” can strengthen the connection with oneself and with the world around, expanding awareness and understanding.
- Clarifying the Mind: It helps to create mental clarity, fostering stillness and a sense of oneness with everything.
- Improving Meditation Focus: Chanting “Om” supports deeper concentration during meditation, aiding in personal growth and self-exploration.
- Breath Control: “Om” chanting is often combined with breath control techniques, facilitating deeper and more effective meditation.
Chanting the “Om” mantra is not just a meditation practice but also a way to connect with the spirit and show reverence for the divine and mystical aspects in Buddhism and many other spiritual traditions.
How to Integrate the Word “OM” into Daily Life
The word “OM” is a source of impermanent energy that you can incorporate into your daily life to experience the miraculous benefits it brings.
Chanting Mantras with “OM”
You can chant mantras containing “OM” in the morning when you wake up, at night before you sleep, or anytime you feel the need. This practice helps to cleanse the mind, restore calm, balance, and bring peace to your soul.
Meditation with the Sound of “OM”
You can also engage in meditation with the sound of “OM” by listening to mantras or recordings of the “OM” syllable on audio devices or online apps. Choose a quiet place to focus and connect your spirit with the universe.
Practicing Yoga
If you are practicing or planning to start Yoga, try incorporating “Om” by vocalizing the sound “OM” during your yoga poses. You will feel noticeable improvements in your flexibility and harmony as you practice.
Decorating with the Symbol of “OM”
In addition to chanting and practicing, you can decorate your living or working space with paintings or symbols of “OM” to create a positive, peaceful, and fortunate environment for yourself.
Wearing Jewelry with the Word “OM”
This is certainly one of the most popular and easiest ways for anyone to receive the blessings that the word “OM” brings. You can wear jewelry crafted with the symbol of “OM.”
Additionally, you can use gemstones from the “Seven Treasures of Buddhism” (Northern Buddhism) to best support your spiritual practice, mantra chanting, and accumulation of blessings.