How does the Hindu Om symbol fit into Buddhism?
In Tibetan Buddhism, it is a syllable placed at the beginning of many mantras. I asked a Tibetan Buddhist why it was used (not having any meaning on its own), and he said it basically signified that what the person is about to say is a sacred mantra, and Hum/Hoong signifies it’s finished, like “Amen” in Christianity. For example: Take “Om Mani Padme Hum (in Tibetan: Om Mani Peme Hum)” “Mani Padme” means “Jewel of the Lotus”, and has nothing sacred about it. The “Om” dictates it’s “sacred” meaning to Avalokiteshvara. Another person said “Om” purifies the atmosphere, and alerts the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
