Part of the Matheson Trust Sacred Audio Collection

Manjusri (in China, Wenshu, in Japan Monju), wielding the flaming sword of discernment and a volume of scriptures resting on a lotus, is a bodhisattva associated with transcendent wisdom. His mantra is formed by the first five syllables of the Arapacana writing system.

OM ARAPACANA DHIH

• Recited by Thubten Wangchen, Tibetan pronunciation.

• Recorded at a Chinese temple.

• Recited in a gathering with Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche.

• Recited by the young monks of Phuntsok Choeling Monastery, Katmandu, Nepal, at the start of the day.

A is a door to the insight that all dharmas are unproduced from the very beginning.
RA is a door to the insight that all dharmas are without dirt.
PA is a door to the insight that all dharmas have been expounded in the ultimate sense.
CA is a door to the insight that the decrease or rebirth of any dharma cannot be apprehended, because all dharmas do not decrease, nor are they reborn.
NA is a door to the insight that the names of all dharmas have vanished; the essential nature behind names cannot be gained or lost.

Click here for a related Japanese Buddhist syllabic incantation.