Mani is the abbreviation of the six-syllable Sanskrit mantra prayer of Om Mani Padme Hum. There are many transliterations of the meaning, but “Om” usually refers to “jewel” and Mani to the lotus, the Buddhist sacred flower. Stones were engraved with the character of “mani”, and thus the name was created. A “Mani stone mound” refers to a slabstone or stone mound engraved with Tibetan scriptures, the “six-syllable mantra”, animal pattern, deities images, etc. It also refers to the mound made up of finger stones without any pattern engraved. Mani stones and Mani heaps can be commonly found throughout Tibet.

Believers of the original Bon religion of Tibet thought that everything possessed spirituality, and, naturally, white stones were necessary for the prevalent white (purity) worship. After Buddhism was introduced to Tibet, Mani heaps were further developed. Buddhist sutras or Buddha statues were engraved on white stones to make them more vivid. These evolved into the Mani stones seen today.

A Mani stone is also called “scripture written on the ground”. Tibetan Buddhists have long believed that frequently chanting “Mani” would ensure they would enter paradise and not go to hell upon death, or, at least, suffer less pain in the latter. Devout Tibetan Buddhists always believe that as long as they continuously and consistently engrave the six-syllable mantra prayer, which they chant day and night, on stones, these will incur a kind of supernatural spirituality, enabling them to remove sin and guide them to the yearned-for paradise.

Mani stones vary in size and shape. The white color prevails, but Mani stones can also be quite different in texture. According to the traditional habits of people on the plateau, they will chant scriptures when passing by the Mani heap, to call on the gods for a blessing. Each one will turn a circle around the Mani heap, and add a stone. Thus, after a long time of accumulation, the Mani heap will become larger and larger.

The engravings are generally related to the Tibetan Buddhism. The six-syllable mantra prayer prevails among the commonly used Buddhist sutras. Buddha statues and Buddhist scriptures have very rich contents. Local people place the Mani stones in the places where they often pray or stay. Some people even enshrine the Mani stones as sacred objects in their homes, or take them to the distant pilgrim place. They are often found on high passes in difficult mountain terrain left by travelers.

The Mani stone can also embedded in the wall or hung from the roof of a building. Some places even especially build palace halls for enshrining and worshipping the Mani stones.