Tibet Buddhist Blessings

Buddhist blessings (byin rlabs) are expressions of good wishes and intentions, often taking the form of prayers or mantras like "Om Mani Padme Hum". They are not prayers to an external deity, but an articulation of an attitude or aspiration for the well-being of all beings, aiming to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and inner peace. Blessings can also come from external sources, such as a senior monk performing a ceremony or a highly-practiced individual offering a blessing, as well as from internal efforts in following the path.  

Why Blessings Are Given

• To Strengthen Your Path: Blessings reinforce your connection to what matters, whether it’s the Three Jewels of Buddhism, our your own philosophical, spiritual, or religions path.Your intention and inner compass get sharper.

• To Cultivate Positive Qualities: Blessings are a way to train the mind in virtues like loving-kindness, compassion, and generosity. 

• To Overcome Suffering: The ultimate goal is to reduce suffering for oneself and all sentient beings. 

• To Clear Obstructions or Fear: They’re often requested when someone, or somewhere (such as a home, a property, land, rivers…) feels stuck, confused, overwhelmed, or energetically blocked. A blessing can help untangle emotional or karmic heaviness, making room to breathe.

• To Anchor New Directions: Monks or teachers often give blessings when an individual, a group, a community is:

  • entering a new phase

  • taking on responsibility

  • recovering from hardship

  • trying to heal something deep

  • seeking clarity in conflict or uncertainty

• To Develop Wisdom: Blessings can help gain insight into the true nature of things.