[Vedun*]

Mantra's are best not to translate, I think. The real essence of mantra goes beyond any quick meaning that we can give them. From a Vajrayana standpoint, there are reasons that they are recited in Tibetan or Sanskrit- whichever way was transmitted to you by a teacher. I am a little hesitant to go into detail on a public forum, but mantra's are often combined with other aspects of practices and are intended to work on a more subtle level. But these must be taught by a teacher who gives an empowerment/transmission along with the explanation on how to do the practice.

There are some mantra's which are well known and can be recited, such as the "gate" mantra that was mentioned or even the "mani" mantra. These are beneficial to recite, but without going into detail, mantras tend to have much more "weight" and are much more effective to them when passed on from a realized Master.

Terma