aum

Aum, also written Om, is a sacred syllable and symbol in several Indian religions. It is widely regarded as the primordial sound of the universe and a concise expression of ultimate reality. In Hinduism, it is commonly chanted at the start and end of prayers, rituals, and scriptures, and is often displayed in temples and icons. In Buddhist and Jain traditions, variations of the syllable are used in certain mantras and practices, though the emphasis on Om varies by lineage.

Phonetics and symbolism: Aum consists of three phonetic elements—A, U, and M—followed by a period of silence. The three sounds are traditionally associated with different aspects of existence and consciousness: the waking, dreaming, and deep sleep states, as well as the cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution. The silence afterward is linked to a state of pure consciousness, or turiya. The syllable is commonly rendered in the Devanagari script as ॐ.

Usage and significance: In Hinduism, Om is regarded as the essence of the Vedas and the ultimate sound of Brahman, the universal spirit. It is used in meditation and yoga to focus attention and connect with transcendental reality. In Buddhism, Om appears in many mantras, notably in Tibetan practice such as Om mani padme hum, reflecting shared cultural networks of sacred sound. In Jainism, the syllable appears in some devotional contexts but is not central to all traditions.

Other uses: The term Aum also appears in contemporary contexts as part of organizational names. For example, Aum Shinrikyo was a Japanese religious movement founded in the 1980s; it became infamous for the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack and later rebranded as Aleph.