Mantra facts for kids

In Tibet, many Buddhists carve mantras into rocks as a way to show their devotion.

A mantra is a special sound, word, or group of words. People repeat mantras to help them focus or to connect with their faith. These special sounds come from ancient traditions. You can find mantras in religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

Some mantras have clear meanings, like a prayer. Others are just sounds or syllables. Even without a meaning, these sounds are still important. Many people believe mantras can bring good things. They might help with health or wealth. This belief is often about personal faith and experience. It is not something that science can prove.

What are Mantras Used For?

Mantras have been used for thousands of years. The very first mantras were hymns and verses from the Vedas. The Vedas are ancient holy texts from India. People would read these verses aloud. They believed this would bring blessings from gods and other beings.

Mantras in Worship and Meditation

Today, mantras are still a big part of worship and meditation. Many Hindus believe in their power. They might say mantras loudly during ceremonies. Sometimes, people say them quietly to themselves. A person might even just think the mantra silently for a long time. This helps them to concentrate and feel peaceful.

Images for kids

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  Mantras written on a rock near Namche Bazaar Nepal

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  Hare Krishna devotees in Amsterdam carrying a poster with the Hare Krishna Mantra

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  A personification of the Gayatri Mantra

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  Japanese Mandala of the Mantra of Light, an important mantra of the Shingon and Kegon sects

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  A Japanese depiction of the Amida Triad as Seed Syllables (in Siddham Script). Visualizing deities in the form of seed mantras is a common Vajrayana meditation. In Shingon, one of the most common practices is Ajikan (阿字觀), meditating on the mantric syllable A.

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  Om mani padme hum on the Gangpori (photo 1938–1939 German expedition to Tibet.

See also

In Spanish: Mantra para niños