Ritual of Twelve World Religions in the Netherlands- Europe

13th April, 2014

My Short Speech at Ritual of Twelve World Religions in the Netherlands

Om Ah Hung Benza (vajra) Guru Padma siddhi hum- I am neither a religious personnel nor a religious person. So, I am bit hesitant to speak on this very very huge complicated subject. Please forgive me, if my speech doesn't make any sense.

Ladies and Gentlemen good afternoon!. To introduce myself, my name is Kuenga Tashi and I work as a Camera Journalists in Bhutan Broadcasting Service. I am here at Radio Netherlands Training Institute for 3 months pursuing a Broadcast Journalism Course, which ends this months.

To begin with- Om Ah hung Benza (vajra) Guru Padma siddhi hum literally means-May I accomplish the state of Guru Padma Sambhava. And this is Guru Padma Sambhava’s mantra, and he is a precious buddhist master also known as Second Buddha. Om Ah Hung are general prefixes symbolizing the enlightened body, speech and mind of the buddha respectively. I am sure a lot can be said about these syllables but in brief they represent enlightenment through the physical form, verbal speech and enlightened spirit of the buddha. They are attached to many mantras.

Hung at the end is also a common suffix for the mantras. The middle part Benza(vajra) guru padma siddhi hung indicated the unique reference to Padmasambhava. Siddhi is accomplishment and guru padma refers to Padmasambhava in this case.

The mantra is thus a short prayer wishing to actualize the state of Padmasambhava for oneself and all sentient beings.

I am sure the mantra can also be explained in greater details by explaining its outer, inner and secret meaning but perhaps I am not the right person...an excuse for not knowing much..ha..ha.

Generally mantras, in brief, are powerful spell to help the practitioner on the path of enlightenment. They come with a lot of power invested in them by the enlightened beings such as Padmasambhava. A mantra also represents the Buddha in a word form just as the enlightened person is a Buddha in an individualised form.

It is believe that all sentient beings who see, hear, or remember this mantra will gain limitless amount of merit for now and future.

All, what I say is not my own, I am just trying to interpret in the similar way of our buddhist lamas and scholars. Therefore, it may not be as good as lamas/Rinpoches though.    

To be honest, I recite this mantra more seriously and continuously especially when i am boarding the flight, and this is truth.  

Om ah Hung Benza (vajra) Guru Padma siddhi Hum-Thank you to the organizer for this wonderful opportunity.

Thank you.