Foo mane padme hum is the sacred phrase of the members of the TMRC, MIT's model railroad club. It seems to be a parody of the phrase used by the Buddhists, om mane padme hum, appealing to the jewel in the lotus. Its literal translation, as used by the TMRC, is "Our first obligation is to keep the foo counters turning". For more information on the background of this sacred chant and the significance of foo, see the node on foo.