Material: Copper. Pendant.

Size: 4.2 cm

Description:

"Karmapa Chenno" (Tibetan: ཀརྨ་པ་ཆེན་ནོ, Karmapa Chenno) is an important mantra and mantra in the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and is closely related to the holy name of the great Karmapa. The following is a description of the meaning and origin of the "Karmapa Chenno Mantra Wheel":

**Meaning**

"Karmapa Chenno" is a five-character mantra. Its literal meaning and symbolic connotation have profound religious and spiritual value in Tibetan Buddhism:

1. **The literal meaning of the mantra**:

- "Karmapa": means "a saint who performs the Buddha's work". "Karma" comes from Sanskrit, meaning "career" or "action"; "pa" means "saint" or "accomplished one" in Tibetan. Karmapa is the holy name of the Great Treasure Karmapa, representing the manifestation of the work of all Buddhas in the ten directions and three times.

- "Chenno": means "know" or "understand", with a tone of prayer and refuge. The whole mantra can be interpreted as: "Great Treasure Karmapa! You know my heart, please bless me with compassion, save me, and don't abandon me."

2. **Religious and spiritual significance**:

- **Blessing and purification**: Reciting "Karmapa Chenno" is believed to obtain the blessing of Karmapa, eliminate karma, increase merit, and help practitioners purify their minds and move towards enlightenment. It is said that sincerely reciting this mantra can help people be reborn in the Western Paradise, especially for those who have bodhicitta.

- **Connection to the Deity**: The Karmapa is regarded as the incarnation of Amitabha (body), Avalokitesvara (speech), and Mahasthamaprapta (mind), and is also the embodiment of Guru Padmasambhava's "body, speech, and mind". Reciting this mantra is equivalent to connecting with the wisdom and compassion of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, especially the blessing power of the living Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje.

- **Symbol of the Dharma Cause**: This mantra represents the role of the Karmapa as the leader of the Vajrayana Dharma, carrying the merits of the past, present, and future Buddhas' causes. Guru Padmasambhava once predicted that the Karmapa would become a spiritual leader who relieves the suffering of sentient beings in the era of "iron horses galloping and iron birds flying into the sky" (modern times).

3. **The symbol of the mantra wheel**:

- The mantra wheel (Tibetan: བསྟན་པའི་འཁོར་ལོ, bstan pa'i 'khor lo) usually refers to the mantra presented in the form of a circular pattern or ritual instrument, symbolizing the flow of the Dharma and the radiation of the blessing power. The "Karmapa Chenno Mantra Wheel" may be a painting of this mantra on a mandala, prayer wheel or offering to enhance the power of the mantra.

- As a ritual instrument, the mantra wheel is believed to release the blessing power of the mantra when it is rotated, purifying the environment and benefiting sentient beings. It is especially common in temples or practice places of the Karma Kagyu sect.

4. **Merit and practicality**:

- It is said that chanting "Karmapa Chenno" is equivalent to covering all the practices of the Dharma. Even beginners who are not familiar with complex rituals can gain great merit through this mantra. For example, it is said that a young lama was able to liberate the souls of the dead just by chanting this mantra, showing its simple but powerful power.

- In Tibetan Buddhism, mantra wheels are often used for praying, removing obstacles, curing diseases or blessing the environment. The blessing power of the Karmapa Chenno Mantra Wheel is considered to be particularly special because it is related to the holy name of Karmapa.

**Origin**

The origin of the "Karmapa Chenno Mantra Wheel" is closely related to the reincarnation inheritance of Karmapa and the history of the Karma Kagyu Sect:

1. **Karmapa's inheritance**:

- Karmapa is the highest Dharma King of the Karma Kagyu Sect in the Kagyu Sect (White Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism, which began with the first Karmapa Dusong Khyenpa in 1110. He established the earliest reincarnation system in Tibetan Buddhism and started the tradition of Karmapa's reincarnation according to his wishes.

- Karmapa is regarded as the incarnation of Vajradhara. The Karmapas of all generations have used the "black crown" as a symbol to symbolize their spiritual authority. The fifth Karmapa Deyin Xieba (1407) was canonized as the "Great Treasure Dharma King" by Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty, and this title is still used today.

- "Karmapa Chenno" as a mantra is directly related to the holy name of Karmapa, reflecting his role as the embodiment of the Buddha's work. The formation of the mantra may be derived from the teachings of successive Karmapas and the prayer tradition of believers.

2. **The prediction of Guru Padmasambhava**:

- According to Tibetan Buddhist literature, Guru Padmasambhava (8th century) predicted the emergence of Karmapa, saying that he would continue to reincarnate under the name of "Karmapa" and inherit the Buddha's work until the future Buddha Maitreya is born. In the "Samadhiraja Sutra", Sakyamuni Buddha also predicted that Karmapa would become the sixth Buddha of the Kalpa "Lion's Roar Buddha".

- These predictions established the sacred status of the "Karmapa Chenno" mantra, making it the center of believers' prayers for blessings.

3. **The development of the Karma Kagyu sect**:

- The Karma Kagyu sect was founded by Dusong Qenpa and inherited from masters such as Marpa and Milarepa, emphasizing the practice of Mahamudra and tantra. "Karmapa Chenno" as the mantra may be a unique practice method developed by the Karma Kagyu sect in the tantric rituals to consolidate the believers' conversion and trust in the Karmapa.

- The form of the mantra wheel continues the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of incorporating mantras into prayer wheels and mandalas, and is widely used in Karma Kagyu temples (such as Tsurphu Monastery).

4. **The integration of history and culture**:

- The Karmapa tradition was respected by the royal family in the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. For example, Mongke Khan gave the second Karmapa a black hat with gold edges, and Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty gave the fifth Karmapa a black crown of diamonds. These historical events strengthened the religious status of the Karmapa and promoted the spread of the "Karmapa Chenno" mantra.

- The production and use of the mantra wheel reflects the tradition of visualizing and materializing mantras in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, combining the concept of "chakra" in Indian Tantric Buddhism with the native Tibetan Bon symbol system.

**Summary**

The "Karmapa Chenno Mantra Wheel" is an important mantra and ritual instrument that connects the blessing power of the Karmapa, the Great Treasure Dharma King, in the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It symbolizes the manifestation of the Buddhas' cause and the flow of the Dharma. Its significance lies in purifying karma, increasing merit, praying for the compassion and rescue of the Karmapa, and helping practitioners to be reborn in the Pure Land. The origin of the mantra is closely related to the reincarnation of the Karmapa, the prophecy of Guru Padmasambhava, and the Tantric practice of the Karma Kagyu sect, while the form of the mantra wheel reflects the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of integrating mantras into ritual instruments. Reciting this mantra is regarded as a simple but special practice method and is widely respected by Tibetan Buddhist believers.