Visible Mantra is an extensive online resource on Buddhist mantra created by Dharmacari Jayarava. Originally designed to be a reference for people who either visualised or write mantras, it has become a clearing house for information on mantras.

Because of Jayarava's non-sectarian approach to Buddhism the information provided tries to move away from simple superstition. Jayarava takes a critical approach to the subject, and tries to provide accurate information about what mantras "mean" (where they mean anything), and how mantras work. Where possible reference is made either to original texts (although usually in translation) or to scholarly works on mantra.

The main image is a mantra which comes from the Hevajra Tantra, although it is used quite widely. It ultimately derives from the Arapacana Alphabet.

oṃ akāro mukhaṃ sarvadharmāṇāṃ ādyanutpannatvāt āḥ hūṃ phaṭ svāhā

The phrase "akāro mukhaṃ sarvadharmāṇāṃ ādyanutpannatvāt" comes from the Perfection of Wisdom in 25,000 lines and means something like "the syllable 'a' is a door to all dharmas because they are all originally non-arising". (read less)

Visible Mantra is an extensive online resource on Buddhist mantra created by Dharmacari Jayarava. Originally designed to be a reference for people who either visualised or write mantras, it has become a clearing house for information on mantras.

Because of Jayarava's non-sectarian approach to Buddhism the information provided tries to move away from simple superstition. Jayarava takes a critical approach to the subject, and tries to provide accurate information about what mantras "mean" (where... (read more)