Om mani padme hum.

The Tibetans have got a mantra…Om mani padme hum. The lotus and the jewel both together. It must have originated at a moment like this.

Om mani padme hum.

Om is simply an exclamation, it simply means “Ahhh!” or “Oohhh!” It is not a word, it is meaningless, but tremendously meaningful too. Meaningful in the sense of its beauty, its joy, its depth…Om….

I am reminded of Basho, old Basho. Whenever I remember the Japanese haiku poet, tears start coming. Basho is one of the greatest men, or saints, whichever you prefer. To me they are the same: the ancient-born. And that sound – oohhhh, that sound – is Om. That sound…the frog jumps into the pond:

The ancient pond

The frog jumps in

Plop!

Om mani padme hum…the jewel in the lotus…. I am soaking in the pond. It is so beautiful.

Om mani padme hum.

Before birth I was okay.

After death too I will be okay.

In life the same okay continues.

And the okay is perfect.

Dogen sings in a haiku…Dogen is a saint:

Coming

Going away

The waterfowl

leaves no trace behind

Nor it needs a guide

Om mani padme hum.