The mantra of Shakyamuni Buddha could be said to be the essence of the Buddha, the essence of his enlightenment. It is in no way separate from the Buddha himself. Om Muni Muni Maha Munaye Svaha This is Lama Zopa Rinpoche's interpretation of the Buddha's mantra: OM - The All-Knowledge of the three bodies of a buddha and of the infinite Buddha's Holy Body, Speech and Mind. The knowledge of the two paths to enlightenment (Method and Wisdom), and of the two truths (Absolute and relative) that contain all existence within them. MUNI - Control over the suffering of the three lower realms and over the wrong conception of the self-existent I. MUNI - Control over the suffering of all samsara and over self-cherishing thoughts. MAHA MUNIYE - Great control over the suffering of subtle illusions and over the dualistic mind. SVAHA - May my mind receive, absorb and keep the blessings of the mantra, and may they take root.