I use this slide in my presentation on an introduction to Buddhism
OM MANI PADME HUM
* OM, composed of three sound A, U, and M, stands for the practitioner's impure body,
speech, and mind; they also symbolize the pure exalted body, speech, and mind of an enlightened person, a Buddha * MANI ( jewel) symbolizes the altruistic intention to become enlightened
* PADME (lotus) a symbol of wisdom * HUM indicates indivisibility.
"Thus the six syllables, OM MANI PADME HUM, mean
that by the practice of a path which is an indivisible union
of method and wisdom, you can transform your impure
body, speech, and mind into the pure exalted body,
speech, and mind of a Buddha. "
HH the Dalai Lama
The individual letters in a word do not mean anything. You must combine the letters into a word to have a meaning.
The individual letters do not have any inherent meaning.
A - Assertive, showing confidence and determination. T - Temperament, reflecting one's mood or emotional state. T - Thoughtful, considering others with care and consideration. I - Individuality, expressing personal beliefs and values. T - Tenacious, showing perseverance and persistence. U - Unyielding, refusing to give up or back down. D - Determined, having a strong sense of purpose. E - Energy, demonstrating vigor and enthusiasm.
You must be thinking of the word in Chinese. In Chinese, the pictograms each have a signification, and have a further signification in combination. In all languages which use a purely alphabetic system, the letters do not have any meaning on their own. They only have meaning in combinations which are words.
The letters in the English alphabet do not have meanings. They only take on meaning when they are combined with each other to form words.
There is no meaning to any of the letters. The individual letters in a word don't mean anything. By themselves, they simply indicate what sound you're supposed to make. For example, the letter "s" indicates the s sound (which sounds like "ssssss") The letters in the English alphabet do not have meanings. They only take on meaning when they are combined with each other to form words.
There is no meaning to any of the letters. The individual letters in a word don't mean anything. By themselves, they simply indicate what sound you're supposed to make. For example, the letter "s" indicates the s sound (which sounds like "ssssss") The letters in the English alphabet do not have meanings. They only take on meaning when they are combined with each other to form words.
There is no meaning to any of the letters. The individual letters in a word don't mean anything. By themselves, they simply indicate what sound you're supposed to make. For example, the letter "s" indicates the s sound (which sounds like "ssssss") The letters in the English alphabet do not have meanings. They only take on meaning when they are combined with each other to form words.
There is no meaning to any of the letters. The individual letters in a word don't mean anything. By themselves, they simply indicate what sound you're supposed to make. For example, the letter "s" indicates the s sound (which sounds like "ssssss") The letters in the English alphabet do not have meanings. They only take on meaning when they are combined with each other to form words.
There is no meaning to any of the letters. The individual letters in a word don't mean anything. By themselves, they simply indicate what sound you're supposed to make. For example, the letter "s" indicates the s sound (which sounds like "ssssss") The letters in the English alphabet do not have meanings. They only take on meaning when they are combined with each other to form words.
There is no meaning to any of the letters. The individual letters in a word don't mean anything. By themselves, they simply indicate what sound you're supposed to make. For example, the letter "s" indicates the s sound (which sounds like "ssssss") The letters in the English alphabet do not have meanings. They only take on meaning when they are combined with each other to form words.
There is no meaning to any of the letters. The individual letters in a word don't mean anything. By themselves, they simply indicate what sound you're supposed to make. For example, the letter "s" indicates the s sound (which sounds like "ssssss") The letters in the English alphabet do not have meanings. They only take on meaning when they are combined with each other to form words.