Material: Wooden handle. Brass. Scripture

Size: 15 cm

Description:

The hand-cranked prayer wheel is a very important and historical instrument in Tibetan Buddhism. The prayer wheel, also known as the "prayer cylinder", is called the "Mani prayer wheel" (མ་ནི་སྐུ་སྒྲུབ།, *mani khorlo*) in Tibetan. Its main purpose is to accumulate merit by chanting scriptures by turning the prayer wheel.

History and Origin of Prayer Wheels

1. **Origin and Legend**:

- The origin of the hand-cranked prayer wheel can be traced back to the first Buddhist king of Tibet, Songtsen Gampo (617-650 AD). According to legend, the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara appeared to him and told him to make a prayer wheel and recite scriptures to accumulate immeasurable merit.

 - Another legend states that the great master Padmasambhava introduced the hand-cranked prayer wheel to Tibet in the 8th century.

2. **Production and structure**:

- A hand-cranked prayer wheel is generally composed of a cylinder and an axis. The cylinder contains scriptures, the most common of which is the "Six-syllable Great Bright Mantra" (*Om Mani Padme Hum*). The sheets of these scriptures are usually rolled into a cylindrical shape.

 - The surface of the cylinder is often carved with Buddhist scriptures, symbols and patterns, and is exquisitely decorative.

3. **Usage and Merits**:

- When the user turns the prayer wheel, the scriptures rotate with it, which is equivalent to reciting the scriptures once. The use of prayer wheels is believed to purify the mind, accumulate merit, and help reduce karma.

 - When turning the prayer wheel, believers usually recite the "Six-Syllable Mantra" silently at the same time, which can enhance its spiritual effect.

4. **Modern and Cultural Influence**:

- In modern times, prayer wheels are widely used not only in Tibet and the Himalayas, but also by Buddhists all over the world. With the advancement of technology, even electronic prayer wheels have appeared.

 - The hand-cranked prayer wheel has become a symbol of Tibetan Buddhist culture, symbolizing the inheritance of faith and the promotion of Buddhism.

Symbolism of prayer wheels

- **Purity and spiritual practice**: The use of hand-cranked prayer wheels symbolizes the spiritual purity of the practitioner and his or her unremitting pursuit of spiritual achievement.

- **Good deeds and merits**: By turning the prayer wheel, believers believe that they can accumulate good deeds and merits, and dedicate these merits to all sentient beings, praying for world peace and for all beings to be free from suffering and to be happy.