e training in Vajrayana must always be carried out under the
direction of a teacher since it entails a variety of complicated
ritual practices. Since such practices are never written in full, it
is not advisable for anyone to practise them by relying mainly on
written texts. Vajrayana teaches that every Buddha or Bodhi-
sattva is associated with a particular mantra or mudra, which
when recited or performed correctly, can link one with the deity
in question and partake its transcendental powers. ‘A mantra
consists of a number of syllables which when translated literally,
may be quite meaningless but it can be extremely effective when
pronounced by one who has undergone the proper training and
discipline and is familiar with its operations. A mantra, when
uttered correctly, can have the power to drive off evil spirits
or thwart the actions of black magic sent by enemies. It must
be warned that mantras should not be learned from books or
freely used. However there are a number of universal mantras
which may be recited by anyone and Avalokitesvara’s mantra,
“O M P H”, is one of them. is great mantra of
compassion, when recited by one who is pure in mind, can bring
about beneficial effects to oneself and others.uru admasambhava
e founder of Tibetan Buddhism or Lamaism is Guru Padma-
sambhava, often endearingly addressed by his devotees as ‘Guru
Rinpoche’ or the ‘Precious Guru’. He is undoubtedly a histori-
cal figure but since his life is so entwined with many fantastic
legends which displayed supernatural powers, modern men, save