Material: wooden handle. Genuine leather cover and stitching. Six-syllable mantra scripture

Size: 14cm X 5cm

Description:

The prayer wheel (Tibetan: མ་ནི་ཆོས་འཁོར་, Mani Chokhor, meaning "wheel of Dharma" or "prayer wheel") is one of the important instruments in Tibetan Buddhism and is widely used in Tibetan Buddhist practice, rituals and daily life. It is not only a material tool, but also carries profound religious philosophy and symbolic meaning. The following will discuss in detail the origin, symbolic meaning and use of the prayer wheel in Tibetan Buddhism.

1. The origin of the prayer wheel

1. **Historical and cultural roots**

The origin of the prayer wheel can be traced back to the development period of Indian Buddhism, especially Vajrayana (about 7th-8th century). Its concept is related to the Buddhist "Dharma Wheel", which symbolizes the rotation of the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) and spreads wisdom and compassion. With the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet (around the 7th century, during the reign of Songtsen Gampo), the physical form of the prayer wheel gradually developed in Tibet and merged with the local Tibetan culture, becoming a unique symbol of Tibetan Buddhism.

Scholars generally believe that the specific form of the prayer wheel may have been influenced by Hinduism and Bon (the original religion of Tibet). For example, certain rotating objects and prayer rituals in Bon may have inspired the design of the prayer wheel. In addition, the popularity of the prayer wheel is closely related to the mantra tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, especially the spread of the six-syllable mantra (Om Mani Padme Hum).

2. **Legend and Guru Padmasambhava**

In the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, the promotion of the prayer wheel is often attributed to Guru Padmasambhava (8th century), who is believed to have brought the Tantric teachings to Tibet. According to legend, Guru Padmasambhava taught the use of prayer wheels, believing that their rotation can amplify the merits of mantras, purify karma and accumulate merit. Another theory is that the design of the prayer wheel was inspired by Nāgārjuna (c. 2nd century), who wrote mantras on paper and placed them in a rotating wheel to symbolize the constant rotation of the Dharma Wheel.

3. **Manufacturing and Forms**

Prayer wheels are usually cylindrical and made of wood, metal or bone, with rolled-up scriptures or mantras (mainly the six-syllable mantra) inside. The outer shell is often engraved with mantras or auspicious patterns (such as the eight auspicious symbols). Prayer wheels come in the following forms:

- **Handheld prayer wheels**: portable, for personal use, held and rotated by believers.

- **Fixed prayer wheels**: installed at the entrance of temples, pagodas or villages, for multiple people to rotate.

- **Hydraulic or wind-powered prayer wheels**: driven by natural forces (such as water flow or wind), symbolizing the uninterrupted rotation of the Dharma Wheel.

- **Large prayer wheels**: Commonly seen in temples, they contain millions to hundreds of millions of mantras, and rotating them once is equivalent to reciting all the scriptures.

2. Symbolic meaning of prayer wheels

1. **The Dharma Wheel is Always Turning**

The core symbol of the prayer wheel is "the Dharma Wheel is Always Turning", which represents the sustainable spread of the Buddha's teachings. The Buddha's first turning of the Dharma Wheel (the four noble truths preached in Deer Park) is regarded as the beginning of Buddhism, and the rotation of the prayer wheel is believed to continue this process of dissemination, spreading the Dharma throughout the universe and purifying sentient beings and the environment.

2. **The power of mantras**

Prayer wheels usually contain the six-syllable mantra or other mantras, and when they are rotated, they are considered to be equivalent to reciting these mantras repeatedly. The six-syllable mantra is related to the compassion of Avalokiteśvara (Tibetan: Chenrezig), and rotating the prayer wheel is seen as arousing Avalokiteśvara's blessings, helping sentient beings eliminate suffering, accumulate merit and move towards enlightenment.

3. **Purification and Merit**

The rotation of the prayer wheel is believed to purify karma (negative karma), including bad karma of body, speech, and mind. Tibetan Buddhism believes that rotating a prayer wheel once is equivalent to reciting all the scriptures contained in it, which is of great merit. In addition, the rotation of the prayer wheel can spread blessings to the surrounding environment, benefiting all living beings and non-human beings (such as animals, ghosts and gods).

4. **Harmony of the Universe**

The circular shape and rotating movement of the prayer wheel symbolize the cycle and harmony of the universe, echoing the Tibetan Buddhist philosophy of "dependent origination and emptiness". The rotation process is seen as integrating personal practice into the cosmic order and promoting harmony between the inside and the outside.

5. **Combination of Compassion and Wisdom**

The prayer wheel is often associated with the compassion of Avalokitesvara, and rotating it is an act of compassion that aims to benefit all living beings. At the same time, the scriptures and mantras contained in it represent wisdom, and the rotation process symbolizes the unity of compassion and wisdom, which is the core concept of Tibetan Buddhist Tantric practice.

3. How to use the prayer wheel

1. **Personal practice**

- **Hand-held prayer wheel**: Believers hold a small prayer wheel and rotate it clockwise (symbolizing compliance with the order of the universe) while silently chanting the six-syllable mantra or other mantras. This method is common in pilgrimages, retreats or daily practice, helping practitioners to focus and accumulate merit.

- **Meditation aid**: The rhythmic rotation of the prayer wheel helps to regulate breathing and mood and enter a state of meditation. Practitioners often use prayer wheels when chanting or visualizing to enhance concentration.

2. **Temple and public places**

- **Fixed prayer wheels**: At the entrance of temples, pagodas or villages, there are often large prayer wheels for believers and pilgrims to rotate. These prayer wheels contain a large number of scriptures, and it is believed that rotating them once will generate great merit. Believers usually walk and rotate in a clockwise direction, combined with the practice of circumambulating the pagoda (Kora).

- **Water-powered and wind-powered prayer wheels**: Water-powered or wind-powered prayer wheels are often seen in rivers or windy places in Tibetan areas, symbolizing the uninterrupted rotation of the Dharma wheel, which continuously spreads the Dharma and blessings.

3. **Application in rituals**

- **Prayers and initiations**: In large-scale Tibetan Buddhist ceremonies or initiations, prayer wheels may be used as auxiliary instruments to enhance the sacred atmosphere of the ceremony. For example, in the Guanyin ceremony, the rotation of the prayer wheel is used to invoke the blessing of Guanyin Bodhisattva.

- **Purification and blessing**: The rotation of the prayer wheel is believed to purify the environment and dispel negative energy. It is often used in ceremonies such as temple consecration, house blessing, or healing and blessing.

4. **Pilgrimage and circumambulation**

In Tibetan areas, pilgrims often circumambulate along holy places (such as the Potala Palace in Lhasa and Mount Kailash), rotating hand-held prayer wheels or pushing fixed prayer wheels on the way. This behavior combines the circumambulation of the body, the chanting of mantras and the visualization of the mind, and is regarded as a practice of the three doors of body, speech and mind, and the merits are particularly great.

IV. Application of different sects

1. **Nyingma (Red Sect)**

The Nyingma sect emphasizes the tradition of hidden treasures, and the prayer wheel is often associated with the teachings of Guru Padmasambhava, especially in the practice of Avalokitesvara and the ritual of treasure protection. The prayer wheel of the Nyingma sect may contain hidden scriptures, and when it is rotated, it is believed to evoke the blessing of Guru Padmasambhava.

2. **Kagyu (White Sect)**

The Kagyu sect focuses on actual practice and Mahāmudrā meditation. The prayer wheel is used to adjust the mind and accumulate merits in personal practice. Pilgrims of the Kagyu sect often carry hand-held prayer wheels, combined with circumambulation of the pagoda and chanting mantras.

3. **Gelugpa (Yellow Sect)**

The Gelugpa widely uses prayer wheels in large-scale ceremonies and temple ceremonies, emphasizing its function of purification and dissemination of Buddhist teachings. In the teachings of Master Tsongkhapa, prayer wheels are regarded as tools to assist practice, especially in the practice of the six-syllable mantra.

4. **Sakya (Flower Sect)**

The Sakya sect uses prayer wheels in the practice of treasure protection and Avalokitesvara, focusing on its function of symbolizing compassion and removing obstacles. The design of the Sakya sect's prayer wheels may be more sophisticated, incorporating artistic elements such as the eight auspicious symbols.

V. Modern influence of prayer wheels

1. **Globalization**

As Tibetan Buddhism spreads around the world, prayer wheels have become an important symbol of Western Buddhists and the New Age movement. Many Western practitioners use handheld prayer wheels for meditation or yoga practice, and regard them as tools to connect the inner self with the universe. Prayer wheels also appear in Buddhist centers, shops and cultural exhibitions, becoming one of the symbols of Tibetan Buddhism.

2. **Culture and Art**

The exquisite design of the prayer wheel makes it a representative of Tibetan handicrafts, often used in temple decoration, thangka and sculpture. Its cylindrical appearance and mantra inscriptions reflect the artistic aesthetics of Tibetan Buddhism and attract a large number of collectors and cultural enthusiasts.

3. **Technology and Innovation**

In modern Tibet and the West, electronic prayer wheels have appeared, which are driven by electricity or solar energy and contain digitized scriptures. Although these innovations have caused controversy (some traditionalists believe that mechanical drive lacks piety), they reflect the adaptability of prayer wheels in contemporary society.

4. **Ecology and Ethics**

In Tibetan areas, water-powered and wind-powered prayer wheels reflect Tibetan Buddhism's respect for nature. Modern Tibetan Buddhists sometimes combine the rotation of prayer wheels with ecological protection, emphasizing the concept of compassion and harmony with the environment.

VI. Summary

The prayer wheel is a Tibetan Buddhist instrument that combines religion, philosophy and culture. Its origin can be traced back to the concept of the Dharma wheel in Indian Buddhism and the Tantric mantra tradition, and it has formed a unique form after being integrated with the Bon religion in Tibet. The prayer wheel symbolizes the constant rotation of the Dharma wheel, the unity of compassion and wisdom, and the practice of purifying karma and accumulating merit. It is widely used in personal practice, temple rituals and pilgrimage activities, and different sects (such as the Nyingma and Gelug) have slightly different emphases on its use. With the globalization of Tibetan Buddhism, the influence of the prayer wheel has transcended the scope of religion and has become a symbol of cultural and spiritual practice, reflecting the Tibetan Buddhist pursuit of wisdom, compassion and cosmic harmony.