Om Namo
Below is the traditional chant, called the “Om Namo’, that a Thai massage therapist says, either quietly or aloud, before starting a session. It is part of the practice of paying respect (a practice known in Thailand as wai khru), to our family, to our teachers, to the Thai people, and to this ancient tradition of healing. It is written in the Pali language, a language of India spoken during the time of the Buddha. One version of an English translation follows. This is the most common chant taught to Thai massage students, but there are a number of additional chants which can be learned, particularly in a setting that focuses more strongly on the influence of Buddhist medicine in Thai massage.
OM NAMO SHIVAGO SILASA AHANG
KARUNIKO SAPASATANANG OSATHA TIPA-MANTANG
PAPASO SURIYA JANTANG. GOMALAPATO PAKA-SESI
WANTAMI BANTITO SUMETHASSO AROKHA SUMANA-HOMI
(to be said 3 times)
PIYO-TEWA MANUSSANANG PIYO-PROMA NAMUTTAMO
PIYO-NAKHA SUPANANANG PININSIANG NAMA-MIHANG
NAMO PUTTAYA NAVON-NAVIEN NASATIT-NASATIEN
EHI-MAMA NAVIEN-NAWE NAPAI-TANG-VIEN
NAVIEN MAHAKU EHI-MAMA PIYONG-MAMA
NAMO-PUTTAYA
(to be said 1 time)
NA-A NA-WA ROKHA PAYATI VINA-SANTI
(to be said 3 times)
Translation
"We invite the spirit of our Founder, the Father Doctor Shivago, who comes to us though his saintly life. Please bring to us the knowledge of all nature, that this prayer will show us the true medicine of the universe. In the name of this mantra, we respect your help and pray that through our bodies you will bring wholeness and health to the body of the one whom we touch.
The Goddess of Healing dwells in the heavens high, while mankind lives in the world below. In the name of the Founder, may the heavens be reflected in the earth below so that this healing medicine may encircle the world.
We pray for the one whom we touch, that illness will be released and happiness will follow."
