Om mani pedme hung

"The piece I chose to work (or play) with was a recording from Nepal of someone reciting the mantra “Om Mani Pedme Hung”. This mantra is associated with Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara), the bodhisattva embodying compassion. It is often translated as ‘the jewel in the lotus,' and symbolises the union of wisdom and compassion. In the practice that accompanies the mantra, one visualizes the deity Chenrezig, then imagines oneself as the deity, embodying universal compassion, before dissolving into the vast expanse of all-encompassing space.

"I experimented with various instruments that I felt resonated with the mantra's essence, including drones, overtone singing, bells, and my primary instrument, the guitar. While playing the guitar, I focused on channeling compassion for all beings, aiming to translate the mantra's profound meaning into musical sound."

Tibetan prayers at Boudanath Kathmandu reimagined by Gareth Williams.

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This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world’s most famous sights.

Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage