Om shanti shanti shanti
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If you have a unicode font installed in your browser you’ll be able to see the mantra with diacritics here: Oṃ śānti śānti śānti.
Om (Oṃ)
Like many mantras, this one begins with "Om". Om has no meaning, and its origins are lost in the mists of time. Om is considered to be the primeval sound, the sound of the universe, the sound from which all other sounds are formed.
In the Brahminical tradition, from where Buddhism undoubtedly obtained mantra practice, Om is not just the universal sound, but the sound of the universe itself. For example in the (non-Buddhist) Mandukya Upanishad, it is said:
Om! — This syllable is this whole world.
Its further explanation is: –
The past, the present, the future — everything is just the word Om.And whatever else that transcends threefold time — that, too, is just the word Om.
Om is therefore a sound symbolizing reality. It represents everything in the universe, past, present, and future. It even represents everything that is outside of those three times. It therefore represents both the mundane world of time in which the mind normally functions, and the world as perceived by the mind that is awakened and that experiences the world timelessly. It represents both enlightenment and non-enlightenment.
You could regard Om as being the equivalent of white light, in which all of the colors of the rainbow can be found.
One Sanskrit-English dictionary says the following:
"A word of solemn affirmation and respectful assent , sometimes translated by ‘yes, verily, so be it’ (and in this sense compared with Amen); it is placed at the commencement of most Hindu works, and as a sacred exclamation may be uttered at the beginning and end of a reading of the Vedas or previously to any prayer; it is also regarded as a particle of auspicious salutation [Hail!];
Om appears first in the Upanishads as a mystic monosyllable, and is there set forth as the object of profound religious meditation, the highest spiritual efficacy being attributed not only to the whole word but also to the three sounds A, U, M, of which it consists."
Shanti (Śānti)
Shanti (Pali: Santi) simply means "peace". It’s a beautiful meaning and also a very beautiful sound. The shanti is repeated three times, as are many chants in Buddhism. In Buddhism as well as in Hinduism the threefold Shanti is generally interpreted as meaning the Threefold Peace in body, speech, and mind (i.e. peace in the entirety of one’s being).
Hindu teachings typically end with the words Om shanti shanti shanti as an invocation of peace, and the mantra is also used to conclude some Buddhist devotional ceremonies.
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Pronunciation notes:
- o is pronounced like o in ore
- ā is pronounced as a in father
- i in speech is pronounced like i in mill, but in chanting is pronounced like ee in bee
Peace in Buddhist practice
Simply knowing that the word “shanti” means “peace” doesn’t get us very far. We need to learn how to cultivate peace in our lives. Meditation — especially mindfulness meditation and lovingkindness meditation — is a simple tool for helping us find peace.
In Buddhist practice śānti, or peace, primarily means inner rather than outer peace. Through practice it’s possible to cultivate a still mind even in surroundings that are anything but tranquil.
It’s definitely helpful to have peaceful surroundings for the development of meditative states of mind, but if one cultivates a mind that is completely nonreactive then it’s possible to peacefully accept the presence of noise and bustle around us.
In the long-term, however, some external quiet is well-nigh indispensable for the arising of deep mental tranquility, and so meditators frequently seek out quiet places for their practice.
To say that inner peace is what’s important doesn’t mean of course that we can be internally peaceful and yet caught up in all kinds of arguments and fights. It simply means that it’s not possible for us to be in harmony with others unless we’ve learned to develop harmony within our own minds.
Śānti, or inner peace, arises when the mind has let go of both grasping and aversion. For this reason the Buddhist path of practice is known in Pali as "santimagga" (Sanskrit: śāntimarga) or The Path of Peace, as expressed in the famous Dhammapada verse, "Santimaggam eva brūhaya" — Cultivate this very Path of Peace.
Peace as the goal of practice
"Santi" is commonly used in the Pali texts as a synonym for Nirvana, the goal of Buddhist practice. Meditation and other Buddhist practices can therefore be thought of as the "Path to Peace." Nirvana is the ultimate in inner peace, and literally means the complete extinction of inner turmoil.
Peace and lovingkindness
Shanti and metta (lovingkindness), or lovingkindness, are closely associated. In another verse from the Dhammapada, the Buddha says:
Mettāvihārā yo bhikkhu
pasanno Buddhasāsane
Adhigacche padaṃ santaṃ
saṅkhārāpasamaṃ sukhaṃ
(Verse 368)
Which means:
The bhikkhu who dwells in loving-kindness,
who trusts in the Buddha’s Teaching,
attains to that state of peace,
the blissful fading away of conditioned things.
Lovingkindness helps us to still the mind by letting go of conflict. As I’m sure we’re all aware, our hostile or defensive reactions to others are a major source of inner turmoil, and the cultivation of lovingkindness helps us to be more compassionate and less reactive. The “blissful fading away of conditioned things” refers to the mind becoming purified of the delusion, aversion, and grasping tendencies that distort our view of the world and prevent us from experiencing true happiness.
Peace is the essence of the spiritual life
In yet another Dhammapada verse, the Buddha says that it’s by practicing peace, rather than by adopting the clothing, trappings, or lifestyle associated with "being religious" that one lives a truly spiritual life:
Alaṅkato ce’pi samaṃ careyya
santo danto niyato brahmacārī
Sabbesu bhūtesu nidhāya daṇḍaṃ
so brāhmaṇo so samaṇo sa bhikkhu.
(Verse 142)
Which means,
Though well-dressed [i.e. not wearing the rags of a religious practitioner],
If he should live in peace, with restraint and self-control, living with pure ethics,
Laying aside violence towards all living beings,
He indeed is a holy one, a renunciate, a member of the spiritual community.
Taking peace into the world.
Living ethically is also both an expression of a peaceful state of being and a path to peace. In Buddhist ethical practice, this means abstaining from actions that cause harm to oneself or others. In other words, in Buddhist practice we cultivate inner peace but also take peace into the world by practicing lovingkindness and compassion, and by living ethically.
The bare minimum is trying to avoid causing physical harm through direct physical actions or through encouraging others to cause harm (the reason that I, and many other Buddhists, are vegetarians). This is the basis of the First Precept of Buddhism, which can also be expressed as practicing lovingkindness.
All the other Buddhist ethical precepts — not taking that which is not freely given; avoiding sexual misconduct; avoiding misleading speech; and avoiding intoxication — are ways of living out the first precept.
These Buddhist precepts are a key component of the Śāntimarga, or "Path of Peace."
Comments
Comment from T. S. Tawanda
Time: May 19, 2007, 4:04 pm
I was interested in “Shanti” because I just saw the movie “music and lyrics” on dvd. And one of the main characters would say “shanti, shanti” (the singer in the movie).
I heard them make a reference to the Buddha (cause that’s the singer’s thing in the movie). I caught myself saying “Shanti, Shanti” a few times, quoting the girl in the movie, so I thought that I Google search the word to understand what it mean and came across wildmind.org …and now I understand!
Thanks for giving me the knowledge!
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: May 19, 2007, 10:59 pm
Interestingly, a blogger who linked to Wildmind just wrote the following about the movie, “Children of Men.”
There were a few nods toward Buddhism in the movie. One of the things that Kee and her female protector (I don’t recall her name) kept chanting in the car was Om Mani Padme Hung, probably the most well-known Tibetan Buddhist mantra. Jasper, the old male friend of Theo, said “Shanti, shanti, shanti” a few times, which is also a Buddhist mantra. I couldn’t quite understand what Kee’s female friend was saying on the bus, when the guard was harassing her, but it sounded more like a Christian prayer than a Buddhist mantra. Whatever the religion was supposed to be, I liked the nods to Buddhism. (From System 13)
I must check these movies out.
Comment from Hannah
Time: May 25, 2007, 3:52 pm
Christianity is the true RELIGION!!!!!!
Comment from Paul Beetge
Time: May 30, 2007, 2:39 pm
Buddha bless you my child
Comment from Charlene
Time: June 26, 2007, 12:14 pm
Thanks for the very informative article. Like T. S. Tawanda, I watched “Music and Lyrics” and wanted to know what the phrase “shanti shanti” meant. Thanks!
Comment from BK Akshaya
Time: June 30, 2007, 12:45 am
In Om shanti, ‘Om’ means myself i.e. in Sanskrit ‘Aham’ and ‘Shanti’ refere to Peace. Om shanti said i am a peaceful soul. All the soul are peaceful,loveful, pure, energitic,blissful.
Comment from RedRox
Time: June 30, 2007, 1:52 pm
We occasionally end some of our yoga classes with this short chant for peace. I did not know of the interpretation of the Threefold Peace of body, speech and mind as the rationale for chanting shanti 3 times, so I thank you for that newfound knowledge. Namaste.
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: July 1, 2007, 5:12 pm
Hello BK Akshaya,
That’s an interesting theory, that Om means Aham (myself) but I have to say I’ve never seen anything that would support that notion. Do you have any sources you could quote that could back up that theory?
Comment from Petro
Time: July 11, 2007, 9:17 pm
hi, hi, hi! Beautiful site.
Comment from robay
Time: July 20, 2007, 1:06 pm
Om… yes. I have found that there is more than meaning to the word: there is a direct function of the sound. When OM is sung with the ending as “ng”, with tongue touching the palate, there is vibration in the palate up into the head and pineal gland. When sung this way with the yearning of connection with the Divine, and then Beyond yearning, the singing and vibration instills and then one embodies That.
Comment from Miriam A.
Time: August 6, 2007, 6:42 am
Lately I’m into a lot of Reggae, and Shpongle and hippie dressing.
Then I watched the movie “Music and Lyrics” and the singer in the movie was Buddhist. I was inspired and decided to google buddhism, learn buddhist hymns, words and their way of living.
Shanti, world.
Comment from Vicki
Time: August 9, 2007, 12:44 pm
Only page 1 of this article will print.
Comment from kenz (punjabi)
Time: September 22, 2007, 11:47 pm
OM SHANTI. The word itself is so peacefull. Meditaion through these two words brings a lot of change in life. One thing i must admit. All great things, words. history comes from the Great Lands of India.
OM SHANTI OM.
Comment from Story
Time: October 13, 2007, 10:07 pm
I too watched children of men. Throughout the movie Shanti was spoken…. quite a gruesome flick but It was a good one… a lot of very good points to be proven.
Meditation for life, shanti
Comment from mariedirien
Time: October 16, 2007, 11:23 am
I just saw Children of Men as well. Loved Jasper, want his house, interesting discussion they had about truth. Anyone have any comments on Timothy Leary?
Comment from ismedina
Time: November 5, 2007, 12:29 pm
How can I play the mantras? I downlod the real player applicaton and stii does not work… please help
Shanti
Is
Comment from Watapana Pannaratana
Time: November 12, 2007, 3:42 pm
Shanti is a message of wisdom as it appear in 73 knowledges in Buddhas teachings. We call it Kanti Gnana which is equalent to Shanti in Sanskrit. The agitated mind get calm when we remind the words `take it easy. It is the same base to reming shanti the message of peace. Peace in words, deeds and thoughts which leads to peace and happiness.
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: November 19, 2007, 8:03 am
Hi Is,
I’m afraid we can’t offer much in the way ot technical support. With RealPlayer it should just be a case of clicking on the link. If that’s not working I don’t know what the problem could be.
We do plan to convert the files to MP3, which would make them more universally accessible. It’s just a question of finding the time to do this. Unfortunately there’s always more to be done than there is the time to do it in.
All the best,
Bodhipaksa
Comment from Dawn
Time: December 13, 2007, 5:11 am
Om shanti shanti shanti
May the world be blessed with peace
Comment from Smita
Time: January 16, 2008, 12:25 am
Hi, The word ’shanti’ may be originally from Pali, but it is not associated only with buddism. In fact the chant ‘om shanti om’ is a part of every Hindu’s life. From North to South, ‘Shanti’ (considered feminine) is a very common name for a woman in India.
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: January 20, 2008, 8:18 am
Hi Smita,
“Shanti” would originally be from Vedic Sanskrit, which is the language that Pali evolved from. Thanks for pointing out the importance of “shanti” in the lives of Hindus. Many terms (Shanti, Karma, Moksha, etc) are widely used across Indian traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, as well as in many traditions that have now vanished. Of course each tradition interprets the terms in different ways, which is largely why they’re different traditions.
Comment from Sam
Time: February 3, 2008, 5:11 pm
Be it Buddhism, be it Hinduism, Shanti is a very common expression.
Om is sometimes sung “aom” as aom includes all the sounds originating from a human body without moving your tongue. You can also feel each of them in different parts of the body, beginning from the naval area and ending up to the point of your nose.
All this you can also feel in your hands and in your arms. I’m just learning it and feels so good. I’m waiting for much more to come. Shanti!
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: February 4, 2008, 8:39 am
Hi Sam,
The sensation of om/aum resonating through the body is particularly intense if you do overtone chanting, which may be what you’re doing. A former girlfriend of mine who was a professional singer taught me how to do this in a very rudimentary way by channeling the flow of air up into the nasopharynx. True experts can produce overtones that resemble a separate instrument!
Comment from Benson H
Time: February 13, 2008, 7:07 pm
Thank you very much for the lovely article. I believe that Santimagga is definitely a right path to pursue..
Om Shanti..
Comment from Nikayah
Time: March 22, 2008, 3:03 pm
Hello, nice site.
I just saw that movie myself, music and lyrics, and I am seeing the world waking up more and more, as I have been doing the last time..hehe, Its acctually funny, cause i remember thinking it when i saw the buddha in the movie “Yess, Its small, but enough to awaken some curious hearts threw this movie” so i was sure that the cool singer would inspire some. I did not know about shanti either, but it felth like good energy, so its funny that I come across this movie in here, makes me happy.
Om Shanti shanti shanti - Namaste
And Amen to that.
Comment from nomad…
Time: April 13, 2008, 10:55 pm
Om shanti om…. ;)
…. the alpha and the omega…
….no end….
…. the Rainbow Serpent Journey… :)
Comment from Gina
Time: May 14, 2008, 2:43 pm
Hi,
funny, I also found the site after seeing “music and lyrics” :-) and because I wanted to know what shanti means. Thanks for the good informations! And congratulations for your site!
Comment from Ian
Time: May 29, 2008, 4:21 pm
Famously The Waste Land by TS Eliot concludes with Shantih Shantih Shantih (sic), which is credited as the final line on the Upashinads, and said to be equivalent to “the peace that passeth all understanding”
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: May 30, 2008, 8:25 am
Hi Ian,
I had entirely forgotten about that. Thanks for the reminder.
Comment from Shannon
Time: June 13, 2008, 1:40 pm
My life has been altered lately with the loss of my fiance. My 18 year old son got a beautiful 8 week old black kitten for me. I named her Shanti as a reminder that through all of lifes turbulance, we need to seek our inner peace. There we will find strength. So thank you to God no matter what name you call him. One universal love. Om Shanti, Shanti Shanti.
Comment from Lunesoleil
Time: June 13, 2008, 3:26 pm
merci pour la vidéo , om shanto shanti shanti !!!!!!
Comment from vecoria
Time: June 17, 2008, 5:32 pm
It is truly enlightening to read such beautiful experiences.
May the Creator of all that is and is not yet bless you all ways. Om shanti shanti shanti.
Comment from Shannon
Time: June 24, 2008, 1:16 pm
Each day is a blessing to be discovered. Look into your childs eyes today, and for ten seconds be their age again. Remember. And then go explore under the rocks, and laugh with a child and from the child within. See all your blessings. Hold on to Love. Om, shanti, shanti, shanti
Comment from Le Brittny
Time: June 25, 2008, 12:03 pm
It amazes me how recently i have been drawn into this phrase. on a recent trip to blockbuster(love that place) i grabbed both music and lyrics and children of men, wierd combo i know. i had seen neither and then upon watching them the only thing they had in common was shanti shanti, i has already known the meaning of om, but not shanti shanti, for some reason these phrases just drew me in and had been lingering on my mind until i looked them up
and now i understand the importance of them no wonder i was captivated by this phrase.
Comment from Nolan Stobinski
Time: July 23, 2008, 6:59 pm
Siddhartha Gautama Buddha once said this :
” Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace. “
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: July 23, 2008, 7:37 pm
Hi Nolan,
Yeah, that’s a great verse from the Dhammapada. The word translated there as “brings peace” is the verb upasammati (meaning to grow calm, or to settle) rather than shanti, but although the terminology is different it’s essentially the same meaning.
Thanks for thinking of us!
All the best,
Bodhipaksa
Pingback from Inner Peace - Ksanti
Time: August 27, 2008, 11:43 pm
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