HUM: The Invariant Meanings

"The contents of the word are broad, yet no confusion can be found; the form of the word is simple, yet nothing is missing."

From Kukai's, "The Meanings of the Word Hum"
(Hakeda, p. 262)

Recently, we had our third in a series of discussions on the important works of Shingon's founder, Kobo Daishi Kukai. Last week we tackled "The Meanings of the Word Hum". As has been our habit we used Professor Hakeda's translation from his book, "Kukai: Major Works". This particular piece is very challenging and contains a lot of deep dharma.  But it is also very rewarding to at least try to understand the teachings it contains. Like the other works in Kukai's Trilogy, the "sambu no sho", this essay reflects very clearly Kukai's own thought.

In the opening of the essay, Kukai explains that there are two sets of meanings associated with the syllable Hum. He calls these the invariant and ultimate meanings. In addition Kukai explains that the syllable Hum is composed of four syllables - H, A, U and M, each with their own distinct definition.

Today, we will confine our exploration to the invariant meanings.

Kukai gives summary definitions of his invariant meanings of the four syllable as follows:

The Syllable "H"

• It stands for the Sanskrit word hetva which means 'cause.'
• If we see the letter H, we know that all things have come to be because of causes;

(Hakeda, p. 247)

The Syllable "A"

• The sound A is the mother of all letters; it is the essence of all sounds; and it stands for the fountainhead of all-inclusive Reality.
• If we see the letter A, we know that all things are empty and nil [as isolated entities apart from the all-inclusive Reality].

(Hakeda, p. 247)

The Syllable "U"

• The letter U stands for [the Sanskrit una,] "wanting."
• If we see the letter U, we know that all things are impermanent, that they induce suffering, that they are empty and without permanent entity, etc.

(Hakeda, p. 247-248)

The syllable "M"

• The letter M stands for the Sanskrit word Atman, which can be translated as "entity."
• The letter M reminds us of [the perverse view] that all things pertain to permanent selves, such as I, thou, they. We call this 'augmentation' [of a false assumption].

(Hakeda, p. 248)

Master Kukai is somewhat dismissive of these invariant meanings as he closes this section of the essay with the following passage:

"People in the world know only the invariant meanings and have never come to understand the ultimate meanings; they therefore remain in the cycle of samsara."

(Hakeda, p. 248)

Be that as it may, they are very useful to us as we begin to develop our understanding of the syllable Hum. They cleave to what we might label the "exoteric" view of these syllables. The syllable "H" represents the classic Hinayana teaching on cause and effect. The letter "U" invokes the three marks of existence. The syllable "M" points to anatman, a core realization within Shakamuni Buddha's teaching. The lone outlier is the syllable "A". Invoking the "fountainhead of all-inclusive Reality" suggests a distinctly esoteric meaning.

Among the practices introduced to our sangha by Ajari Tanaka, the syllable Hum looms large. Building an understanding of its meaning and significance is essential. This first attempt is just that. Simply an effort to ground ourselves in the fundamentals, the important teaching associated with the syllable Hum.

We only hope it is helpful to your exploration of Shingon. And please stay tuned...

All quotes sourced from:

Kukai: Major Works, Yoshito S. Hakeda, Columbia University Press, 1972