A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Pray in Buddhism

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Learn more about the words and practices of Buddhist prayer
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Buddhism does not focus on multiple "essential" prayers as other religions do, but instead uses prayer as a spiritual dialogue that can help center yourself mentally and emotionally. When you say a Buddhist prayer or mantra, you visualize the people, actions, and feelings you’re focused on. Keep reading for steps on how to pray in Buddhism, a selection of Buddhist mantras, and how to use Tibetan prayer beads in your practice.

How to Pray in Buddhism: An Introduction

Center yourself by focusing on your posture and breath. Make sure you’re comfortable and your breathing is relaxed, yet steady. Close your eyes and begin to repeat the words of a mantra, like the following: Om mani padme hum (pronounced “ohm man-ee pad-mae hoom”), meaning "Hail to the jewel in the lotus."

Section 1 of 4:

How to Say a Buddhist Prayer

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  1. Before praying, take a deep breath, get comfortable, and close your eyes to help free your mind . Focus on the here and now, along with centering yourself in whatever way feels right. The idea is to sink into your prayers and not just say them; you can do this in the same way you’d practice meditation , notes licensed psychotherapist Ira Israel.
    • Saying Buddhist prayers can feel similar to performing a meditation, but they are not the same thing. Buddhist prayers are focused on showing gratitude to the Buddha, while meditations are focused on your general inner awareness.
    • Candles, scents, and low lighting can help calm you down and bring you closer to your prayer.
    • Psychotherapist Ira Israel notes, “Sit with your spine erect, chin level, and jaw unclenched for 2 minutes in the morning. Concentrate on your breath, an image, or do a body scan. Choose a meditation that works for you and then gradually try some new meditations.”
  2. Buddhist prayers consist of mantras, which are chanted phrases meant to be repeated over and over again. You do not necessarily need to know their full meanings, as the words themselves, through repetition, lose their "meaning" and help you avoid distraction. Listening to audio tracks is a great way to learn different mantras quickly when learning about or becoming a Buddhist .
    • Om mani padme hum: Pronounced “ohm man-ee pad-mae hoom.”
      • Translation: “Hail to the jewel in the lotus.”
      • Purpose: Helps you embrace enlightenment and compassion in yourself and others.
    • Oṃ Amideva Hrīḥ : Pronounced “om ami-dehva re.”
      • Translation: “To overcome all obstacles & hindrances.”
      • Purpose: This mantra asks the universe to help you overcome any challenges that you’re facing.
    • Om A Ra Pa Ca Na Dhih : Pronounced “oṃ a ra pa tsa na dhīḥ.”
      • Translation: “My mind and heart are open to the truths that follow.”
      • Purpose: This chant is believed to help with wisdom, critical thinking, and writing.
    • Om Tara Tuttare Ture Soha : Pronounced “oṃ tāre tu tāre ture soha.”
      • Translation: “I prostrate to the liberator, mother of all the victorious ones.” [1]
      • Purpose: This chant is dedicated to the bodhisattva Green Tara and helps with obstacles in relationships, emotional balance, and a deeper connection to your inner self. [2]
    • Om Zambala Zalendhraye Soha : Pronounced “om zambala zalen draye soha.”
      • Translation: “The precious golden deity, free me from that which binds me, allow the meaning of this mantra to take root in my mind.” [3]
      • Purpose: This Buddhist mantra for success helps attract wealth, prosperity, and abundance. [4]
    • Om Tuttare Ture Ture Ayush Punya, Mama Jnana Kuru, Pushtim Svaha : Pronounced “om tare tuttare ture mama basu pushtim kuru svaha.”
      • Translation: “May my life be long, may my good qualities and wisdom increase!” [5]
      • Purpose: This Tibetan mantra is dedicated to the bodhisattva White Tara. It’s focused on good health and long life, plus it can benefit others and spread positivity.
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  3. Buddha is not a creator god, though some practices do see him as divine. That said, prayer is not meant as an offering to Buddha. Rather, it is a way to deepen your own spirituality. If you feel like praying, then you should pray, and worry about the theology later. You can, of course, make up your own specific mantras, and think about your own ways to pray, as there is no wrong way to practice.
    • Your practice can range from being a way to meditate to becoming a Buddha , meaning to achieve the highest level of spiritual awakening. [6]
    • There is a vast array of prayers and no right way to pray as a Buddhist. This frees you to practice your prayer and spirituality how you desire it, not how you are told.
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Section 2 of 4:

5 Buddhist Prayers

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  1. 1
    The Three Jewels I take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha
    Until I attain Enlightenment.
    By merit accumulations from practicing generosity and the other perfections
    May I attain Enlightenment, for the benefit of all sentient beings.     [7]
    • “Sangha” translates as "community, group, or assembly." It usually refers to the community of believers in Buddhist ideals. [8]
    • “Dharma” is the overall universal truth common to all people. It is the common force, of sorts, that binds and holds the universe together. [9]
  2. 2
    Prayer of Happiness and Wellbeing May I be well, happy, and peaceful.
    May my teachers be well, happy, and peaceful.
    May my parents be well, happy, and peaceful.
    May my relatives be well, happy, and peaceful.
    May my friends be well, happy, and peaceful.
    May the indifferent persons be well, happy, and peaceful.
    May the unfriendly persons be well, happy, and peaceful.
    May all meditators be well, happy, and peaceful.
    May all beings be well, happy, and peaceful     .
  3. 3
    Thankfulness Prayer Before Meals May this food be dedicated to the triple jewel
    The precious Buddha
    The precious Dharma
    The precious Sangha
    Bless this food so we may take it as medicine
    Free from attachment and desire
    So that it may nourish our bodies so we may
    Work for the benefit of all sentient beings.     [10]
  4. 4
    Metta Prayer In order that I may be skilled in discerning what is good,
    in order that I may understand the path to peace,
    Let me be able, upright, and straightforward,
    of good speech, gentle, and free from pride;
    Let me be contented, easily satisfied, having few duties,
    living simply, of controlled senses, prudent,
    without pride and without attachment to nation, race, or other groups.
    Let me not do the slightest thing for which the wise might rebuke me.
    Instead let me think: May all beings be well and safe, may they be at ease.
    Whatever living beings there may be,
    whether moving or standing still,
    without exception,
    whether large, great, middling, or small, whether tiny or substantial,
    Whether seen or unseen, whether living near or far,
    Born or unborn; may all beings be happy.
    Let none deceive or despise another anywhere.
    Let none wish harm to another, in anger or in hate.
    Just as a mother would guard her child, her only child, with her own life,
    even so let me cultivate a boundless mind for all beings in the world.
    Let me cultivate a boundless love for all beings in the world,
    above, below, and across, unhindered, without ill will or enmity.
    Standing, walking, seated, or lying down, free from torpor,
    let me as far as possible fix my attention on this recollection.
    This, they say, is the divine life right here.     [11]
  5. 5
    Golden Chain Prayer I am a link in Lord Buddha’s golden chain of love
    that stretches around the world.
    I must keep my link bright and strong.
    I will try to be kind and gentle to every living thing,
    and protect all who are weaker than myself.
    I will try to think pure and beautiful thoughts,
    to say pure and beautiful words,
    and to do pure and beautiful deeds,
    knowing that on what I do now depends my happiness and misery.
    May every link in Lord Buddha’s golden chain of love
    become bright and strong,
    and may we all attain perfect peace.     [12]
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Section 3 of 4:

Using Tibetan Prayer Beads

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  1. They don’t represent a rigid amount of prayers you must say. Tibetan prayer beads, also known as mala, are used to keep track of your prayers, not as some punishment or benchmark. They are a bit like rosaries but know that they are there to help, not hinder your spiritual practice. [13]
    • Counting the beads activates your body in the prayer, allowing you to work the body (beads), mind (prayer), and spirit (visualization) at once.
    • You can use whatever prayers or mantras you desire with your beads.
    • Tibetan prayer beads can be found online, or purchased at many Buddhist temples or Tibetan shops.
  2. There are usually 108 beads on a Tibetan prayer bead necklace, plus one larger "head bead." When you make your way around the prayer beads, you're considered to have accomplished 100 prayers/mantras, with the other 8 used as spares in case you miscounted or missed a mantra.
    • Some people believe the head bead has special significance, and it is sometimes called the "guru bead." This bead acts as a teacher, leading you through the prayer cycle. [14]
  3. Close your eyes and feel the first bead, often the head bead. Perform your prayer or mantra completely, then move up to the next bead, while feeling your way up the prayer beads. Some people use different mantras for the different-sized beads if you have them.
    • You may use your right or left hand to count.
    • Don't worry about getting it all perfect. Focus on visualizing your prayer as you say it, staying completely in the current moment. Ground yourself in the physical world by keeping your hands on your current bead.
  4. Once you've gone all the way around the beads, flip the chain over and keep going in the same direction you were already going.
    • This is mostly symbolic, indicating that you would not "step over" your teacher, guru, or head. [15]
  5. There is nothing wrong with wearing your prayer beads, and keeping them with you so that you can count your prayers anywhere. If you are not carrying them, hang them somewhere safe or tuck them away on your Buddhist altar. [16]
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Section 4 of 4:

Buddhist Prayer FAQs

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  1. 1
    What is the most powerful prayer in Buddhism? “Om Mani Padme Hum" is considered one of the most powerful prayers in Tibetan Buddhism. It translates to "The jewel in the lotus,” and is associated with Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. Reciting the mantra can help you focus on enlightenment, transformation, and finding compassion. [17]
  2. 2
    How do you start a Buddhist prayer? Many who practice Buddhism bow from a standing position and keep their hands together in prayer to show respect. As they bow to the ground, they touch their hands in prayer to the chakra centers of the crown (forehead), throat, and heart. [18] Many also say the Refuge prayer: Buddhāṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi, Dharmāṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi, Saṅghāṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi , which translates to “I take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.” [19]
  3. 3
    What do Buddhists say instead of amen? Instead of ending prayers with “amen,” Buddhists say “Sādhu,” from the Sanskrit “sādhu,” meaning “good,” “virtuous,” or “pious.” Other translations include “amen,” “good,” “yes,” or “thank you.” It can also mean, “I have received.” [20]
  4. 4
    Who do Buddhists pray to? Buddhists pray to the Buddha, who is considered the first person to reach enlightenment. They pray to bodhisattvas, spiritually enlightened beings who help believers on their path to enlightenment. When praying, Buddhists also recognize a set of principles called Dharma, and the Buddhist community itself, which is called the Sangha. [21]
  5. 5
    What is the purpose of Buddhist prayers? The main focus of Buddhist prayers is on connecting to the positive, enlightened parts of your mindset. By doing this, you’re also able to connect to the teachings of the Buddha. With each prayer, you further embrace the self transformation needed on your own path to enlightenment. [22]
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      • There are many different forms and practices of Buddhism. Many of them have different types and styles of prayer, but none of them are inherently wrong. Some use no formalized prayer at all. Do what feels right to you.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/R8m2TZZLwno?si=GSXQInUf-SnhGSw-&t=9
      2. ↑ https://level.game/blogs/9-buddhist-mantras-that-will-radically-improve-your-life
      3. ↑ https://www.ruhgu.com/fortune-chant-om-zambala-zalen-draye-soha/
      4. ↑ https://level.game/blogs/9-buddhist-mantras-that-will-radically-improve-your-lif
      5. ↑ https://level.game/blogs/9-buddhist-mantras-that-will-radically-improve-your-life
      6. ↑ https://www.wildmind.org/blogs/on-practice/do-buddhists-pray
      7. ↑ https://www.beliefnet.com/Prayers/Buddhism/Morning/The-Three-Jewels.aspx#wYx60w7CoLjySm8A.99
      8. ↑ https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/sangha.html
      9. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/dharma-religious-concept
      1. ↑ https://www.beliefnet.com/Prayers/Buddhism/Meals/Meal-Blessing.aspx#9WyQ6TfwbzH4evcF.99
      2. ↑ https://www.wildmind.org/metta/introduction/metta-prayer
      3. ↑ http://www.worldhealingprayers.com/3.html
      4. ↑ https://www.yowangdu.com/tibetan-buddhism/malas.html
      5. ↑ https://www.buddhistmala.com/Mala_Manual.pdf
      6. ↑ https://www.buddhistmala.com/Mala_Manual.pdf
      7. ↑ https://www.buddhistmala.com/Mala_Manual.pdf
      8. ↑ https://www.shambhala.com/snowlion_articles/om-mani-padme-hum-dalai-lama/
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/CZu6L7z-alA?si=tFxDzVXHPkmDr2my&t=16
      10. ↑ https://www.visiblemantra.org/three-refuges.html
      11. ↑ https://buddhajourney.net/buddhist-glossary/
      12. ↑ https://studybuddhism.com/en/essentials/what-is/what-is-prayer-in-buddhism
      13. ↑ https://buddhawithin.org.uk/2021/06/12/how-do-buddhists-pray/
      14. https://www.worldhealingprayers.com/3.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To say a Buddhist prayer, first center yourself by taking a seat in a comfortable spot with good posture and focusing on your breathing. Then, repeat a simple, short prayer as a mantra to help you focus. For example, you can repeat the Three Jewels prayer, which goes like, “I take refuge in the Buddha, dharma, and sangha, until I attain Enlightenment. By merit accumulations from practicing generosity and the other perfections, may I attain Enlightenment, for the benefit of all sentient beings.” Feel free to make up your own mantras and ways to pray, since there's no right or wrong way to pray as a Buddhist. To learn how to perform simple thankfulness Buddhist prayers before meals, keep reading!

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