Prayer Wheels
Created | Updated Sep 10, 2005
The Tibetan Prayer Wheel
what are they?
Tibetan prayer wheels, Dharma wheels or as the Tibetans call them Mani chho-kor are devices used in spiritual blessings and for well-being. To create a Mani a cylinder (usually metal) is used to contain strips of paper or wound sheets on which Mantra (prayers) Om Mani Padme Hum are written. The cylinder is then attached to a rod handle in order to be able to be held. The cylinder spins on its axle in order to be read by higher forces.
where can they be found?
Prayer wheels can be found where the elements can turn them, for example near water, steam or in the wind. Always spun clockwise so that the mantra would come across to a passer by in the way it's meant to be read, it follows the suns direction and matches the circumambulation of the stupas.
what do Buddhists believe?
The Buddhists believe that saying the mantra out loud will bring about Chenrezig's powerful blessings and attention (the embodiment of compassion). Who is Chenzerig?
and what is Buddhism?
History and Tradition
Said to date back to 400AD the prayer wheel was only used in Tibet for spiritual purposes. Today however, Mantra wheels can be found in many areas of Tibet and places which carry the Tibetan culture. It is said that the Tibetans even carry the wheels around for hours and even on pilgrimages now. With the culture spreading towards the west new Mani are being created.
ways of using the wheel
· Practitioners of Bon the pre-Buddhist spiritual tradition of Tibet, spin their Mani wheels counter clockwise, the same direction they use in circumambulation.
* The Mani wheel is said to have many benefits such as healing and purification.
by generous donation John-the-gardener has given me this mantra:
'Om Mani Padme Hum'
Alternatives
· The Dalai Lama believes that the computer can also work like a prayer wheel if it has a mantra on it, as the computers hard drive spins around many times and can contain many mantra.
· Viewing a written copy of the mantra is said to have the same effect and the mantra is carved into stones near paths where travellers will see them. Spinning the mantra around in a Mani wheel is also meant to have the same effect and the more copies of the mantra the better the effect.
what are they?
Tibetan prayer wheels, Dharma wheels or as the Tibetans call them Mani chho-kor are devices used in spiritual blessings and for well-being. To create a Mani a cylinder (usually metal) is used to contain strips of paper or wound sheets on which Mantra (prayers) Om Mani Padme Hum are written. The cylinder is then attached to a rod handle in order to be able to be held. The cylinder spins on its axle in order to be read by higher forces.
where can they be found?
Prayer wheels can be found where the elements can turn them, for example near water, steam or in the wind. Always spun clockwise so that the mantra would come across to a passer by in the way it's meant to be read, it follows the suns direction and matches the circumambulation of the stupas.
what do Buddhists believe?
The Buddhists believe that saying the mantra out loud will bring about Chenrezig's powerful blessings and attention (the embodiment of compassion). Who is Chenzerig?
and what is Buddhism?
History and Tradition
Said to date back to 400AD the prayer wheel was only used in Tibet for spiritual purposes. Today however, Mantra wheels can be found in many areas of Tibet and places which carry the Tibetan culture. It is said that the Tibetans even carry the wheels around for hours and even on pilgrimages now. With the culture spreading towards the west new Mani are being created.
ways of using the wheel
· Practitioners of Bon the pre-Buddhist spiritual tradition of Tibet, spin their Mani wheels counter clockwise, the same direction they use in circumambulation.
* The Mani wheel is said to have many benefits such as healing and purification.
by generous donation John-the-gardener has given me this mantra:
'Om Mani Padme Hum'
Alternatives
· The Dalai Lama believes that the computer can also work like a prayer wheel if it has a mantra on it, as the computers hard drive spins around many times and can contain many mantra.
· Viewing a written copy of the mantra is said to have the same effect and the mantra is carved into stones near paths where travellers will see them. Spinning the mantra around in a Mani wheel is also meant to have the same effect and the more copies of the mantra the better the effect.
