On Hinduism

Hinduism has many prayers which are about universal unity and universal peace. Below are some such inclusive prayers which can be used in interfaith circles. 

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ॐ सह नाववतु ।
सह नौ भुनक्तु ।
सह वीर्यं करवावहै ।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Om Saha Navavatu |
Saha Nau Bhunaktu |
Saha Viiryam Karavaavahai |
Tejasvi Nau-Adhiitam-Astu Maa Vidvissaavahai |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||
Meaning:

Om, May the lord protect us all, may he give us knowledge. May he give us energy and focus. May we not have any hostility and may we love each other.

May we have Peace in our heart, peace with each other, may there be peace in the universe. 

This Shanti mantra is in Taittiriya, Katha Upanishad and Shvetashvatara Upanishads

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ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः ।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु
मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत् ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
Sarve Santu Nir-Aamayaah |
Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu
Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||
Meaning:

Om, May we all be happy, May we all be healthy, May we always see auspicious things and May no one suffer. May we have Peace in our heart, peace with each other, may there be peace in the universe. 

This shanti mantra is from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

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ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय ।
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।
मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Om Asato Ma Sad Gamaya |
Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya |
Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya |

Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||
Meaning:

Om, Lead me from the unreal to the real, Lead me from darkness to light, Lead me from death to immortality. May we have Peace in our heart, peace with each other,vmay there be peace in the universe. 

This is a Shanti mantra from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.

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ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते ।

पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Om Puurnnam-Adah Puurnnam-Idam Puurnnaat-Puurnnam-Udacyate |

Puurnnasya Puurnnam-Aadaaya Puurnnam-Eva-Avashissyate ||

Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||

Meaning:

What is visible is the infinite. What is invisible is also the infinite. The world is full of Divine consciousness. Nothing is more significant or less significant than anything else because they are all part of the same infinite totality. May we have Peace in our heart, peace with each other, May there be peace in the universe. 

This shloka is from Isavasyopanishad. 

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ॐ द्यौः शान्तिरन्तरिक्षं शान्तिः

पृथिवी शान्तिरापः शान्तिरोषधयः शान्तिः ।

वनस्पतयः शान्तिर्विश्वेदेवाः शान्तिर्ब्रह्म शान्तिः

सर्वं शान्तिः शान्तिरेव शान्तिः सा मा शान्तिरेधि ॥

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

om dyauh santirantariksam santih

prthivi santirapah santirosadhayah santih

vanaspatayah santirvisvedevah santirbrahma santih

sarvam santih santireva santih sa ma santiredhi

om santih santih santih

Om, May peace radiate there in the whole sky as well as in the vast space everywhere. May peace reign all over this earth, in water and in all herbs, trees and all plants. May peace flow over the whole universe. May peace be in each of us. And may everything always exist in all peace and peace alone. May we have Peace in our heart, peace with each other, may there be peace in the universe. 

Other reading material: Three slokas for general use,

Relevant videos

Contributor: Sudha Bhat

Location of this post (7g): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-is-a-good-all-inclusive-prayer-for-an-interfaith-circle-meetings/

OM, ॐ or AUM (pranava) refers to Atman (soul, self within) and Brahman (ultimate reality, truth, divine, supreme spirit, cosmic principles).

OM is a mantra. Its meaning slightly differs depending on how it is used. First of all OM is a sound symbol for God or Divinity. Just like cross is a physical symbol for Christ, OM is also a symbol, but it is in a sound form. OM is used as a sound during meditation practice. You chant OM and listen to it. Here it is used just as a soothing sound. OM also means “Everything together” as in Infinity.

OM is made up of 3 letters followed by silence;  (In Sanskrit; breathing pattern is explained) A (expel air from stomach area) + U (expel air from the chest region) +  M (think like you are expelling air from your mind and mouth) + silence (a brief breathless period). AUM stands for beginning, middle and end + silence. 

Other reading material: Yoga Sutra 1.27 , What is AUṀ? , The Significance of ॐ: A Linguistic and Philosophical Analysis

Relevant videos:

Contributor: Dr. Jyoti Lulla

Location of this post (23a): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/om-what-does-it-mean/