A rare Buddhist term referring to a sacred utterance or incantation, especially in esoteric traditions. Not commonly used outside specialized contexts.
In esoteric Buddhism, it is said that chanting mantras brings one closer to enlightenment.
great six-syllable mantra ("om mani padme hum")
The term 明呪 is a Sino-Japanese compound: 明 (myō, 'bright, wisdom') and 呪 (ju, 'spell, incantation'). It likely entered Japanese through Buddhist texts, translating the Sanskrit concept of mantra as an enlightened utterance. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.