Tibetan Monlam Prayers — Mani Monlam & Dewachen Aspirations
A collection of Tibetan Buddhist aspiration prayers for compassion, Pure Land practice and Guru Rinpoche devotion.
The Tibetan word mönlam means aspiration prayer. Monlams give form to intention: compassion, awakening, favourable rebirth, removal of obstacles and the wish that Dharma and living beings flourish.
Meaning & Context · Practice · Recordings · FAQ · Sources
Featured Mani Monlam — Avalokiteshvara Prayer
The main recording combines a Chenrezig/Avalokiteshvara aspiration with Om Mani Peme Hung.
Mani Monlam — Avalokiteshvara Prayer
What “Monlam” Means
Mönlam (smon lam) is commonly translated as aspiration prayer. Tibetan Buddhism preserves many famous monlams, including prayers to Chenrezig, Guru Rinpoche and Amitabha, as well as aspirations for awakening and the welfare of beings.
Why Aspiration Prayers Matter
Monlam practice turns intention into a repeated contemplative act. Instead of merely hoping for something, the practitioner deliberately shapes aspiration toward compassion, wisdom, favourable conditions and awakening.
Major Tibetan prayer collections include aspirations for Sukhavati/Dewachen, Samantabhadra’s King of Aspiration Prayers and many lineage-specific prayers.
Core Recitations Used with These Monlams
Chenrezig / Mani recitation:
OṂ MAṆI PADME HŪṂ
Tibetan pronunciation: Om Mani Peme Hung
The featured Mani Monlam recording centres the aspiration around Chenrezig, compassion and the six-syllable mantra.
Amitabha / Dewachen recitation:
OṂ AMIDEVA HRĪḤ
Tibetan pronunciation: Om Ami Dewa Hrih
A simple English Dewachen aspiration:
May I remember Amitabha clearly, cultivate compassion and wisdom, and create the causes to awaken in Dewachen. May all beings find favourable conditions for practice, freedom from suffering and the path to awakening.
Dewachen Monlam and Amitabha
Dewachen is the Tibetan name for Sukhavati, the pure land of Amitabha. Dewachen monlams form the wish to be reborn there and use that aspiration as a support for bodhicitta, virtue and remembrance of Amitabha.
How to Use a Monlam Recording
Choose the prayer that matches your intention. Use Mani Monlam for compassion, Dewachen prayers for Amitabha/Pure Land aspiration, and Guru Rinpoche monlams for devotion and obstacle-clearing. Read the translated meaning when possible, then let repeated listening make the structure familiar.
More Tibetan Monlam Recordings
This selection moves from Avalokiteshvara compassion practice to Dewachen Pure Land aspiration and a Guru Rinpoche morning monlam.
Short Dewachen Monlam — Sukhavati Aspiration
Dechen Monlam — Tibetan Short Version, 2 Hours
Morning Monlam — Guru Rinpoche Prayer
Frequently Asked Questions
What does monlam mean?
Monlam is the Tibetan term commonly translated as aspiration prayer.
What is Dewachen Monlam?
A prayer aspiring toward Amitabha’s pure land, Dewachen/Sukhavati.
Is a monlam the same as a mantra?
A monlam is an aspiration prayer: it gives words and direction to a wish for awakening, compassion or favourable conditions. A mantra is a sacred formula used in repeated recitation. Many practices use both together.
Can I listen without knowing Tibetan?
Yes. It helps to read a translation first so the aspiration behind the prayer is clear.
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