Material: Metal. Electroplating. Painting. Wooden handle. Six-syllable mantra

Size: 15cm / Red. Blue. Green / Built-in scriptures 7800 times / one circle.

Description:

The prayer wheel (Tibetan: མ་ནི་ཆོས་ཀོར།, Mani Chokhor) has important religious and cultural significance in Tibetan Buddhism. It is a tool that combines faith, practice and symbolism. The following is a detailed description of its influence and the origin of its use:

**Influence and status**

1. **Religious significance**:

- The prayer wheel is regarded as a symbol of Dharma. Turning it is considered equivalent to reciting scriptures or praying. It is a way of practicing to accumulate merit.

- A hand-cranked prayer wheel usually contains a paper roll filled with scriptures (mainly the six-syllable mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum"). Turning it once is equivalent to reciting all the scriptures in it, symbolizing the spread of Buddhism and the purification of karma.

- In Tibetan Buddhism, the prayer wheel is not only a tool for personal practice, but is also believed to bring blessings to the surrounding environment, dispel negative forces, and promote peace and tranquility.

2. **Cultural influence**:

- The prayer wheel is an important symbol of Tibetan culture. It is widely seen in temples, homes or on pilgrimages, reflecting the characteristics of Tibetan Buddhism that penetrate into daily life.

- It simplifies complex religious concepts into concrete actions, allowing ordinary believers to participate in practice. Especially for those who are illiterate or unable to recite scriptures for a long time, the hand-cranked prayer wheel is a convenient way of practice.

- In Tibetan areas, the use of prayer wheels is also closely related to pilgrimage activities. Believers often hold prayer wheels and circumambulate holy places (such as the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa) to strengthen spiritual connections.

3. **Social function**:

- The use of prayer wheels promotes the cohesion of Tibetan Buddhist communities. Whether it is individual practice or collective circumambulation of large prayer wheels, it reflects common beliefs.

- The hand-cranked prayer wheel, due to its portability, has become an important religious item for Tibetan people during migration or exile, helping them maintain their faith and cultural identity in a foreign land.

**How to use and origin**

1. **How to use**:

- **Holding and turning**: The hand-cranked prayer wheel usually consists of a wooden handle, a metal or wooden cylinder, and a scripture scroll inside. The believers hold the handle and turn it clockwise (symbolizing the wheel of Dharma), while silently reciting the six-syllable mantra or other mantras in their hearts.

- **Place and timing**: The prayer wheel can be used at any time and place, especially in pilgrimage, meditation or daily life. Believers often turn it while walking, combining physical, verbal and spiritual practice.

- **Large prayer wheels**: In addition to the hand-cranked ones, Tibetan areas also have large prayer wheels fixed in temples or on the roadside. Believers walk around and push them, and the effect is similar to that of hand-cranked prayer wheels.

- **Mindset and intention**: When turning, you need to be pious and focused, with a compassionate and altruistic wish, otherwise it is just a mechanical movement and it is difficult to gain merit.

2. **Origin and history**:

- **Origin legend**: The origin of the prayer wheel is often related to the spread of Tibetan Buddhism, especially to important figures such as Guru Rinpoche or Tsongkhapa. It is said that the design of the prayer wheel was inspired by the Buddha's "Dharma Wheel", symbolizing the spread of Buddhism.

- **Documentary records**: The specific form of the prayer wheel may have developed with the formation of Tibetan Buddhism in the 7th and 8th centuries AD. The concept of "Dharma Wheel" in early Buddhism was concretized into a physical tool to facilitate believers' practice.

- **Technological evolution**: The design of the hand-cranked prayer wheel combines Tibetan handicraft techniques, and the production of internal scripture scrolls and the advancement of printing technology (such as woodcut printing) have made the prayer wheel popular. The scripture scrolls usually contain thousands to millions of mantras, which enhances its religious effectiveness.

- **Cultural integration**: The development of the prayer wheel was also influenced by cultural exchanges between Tibet and surrounding areas (such as India and Nepal), especially the combination of metal craftsmanship and Buddhist art, making the prayer wheel a religious artifact that is both practical and aesthetic.

**Modern applications**

In contemporary times, with the globalization of Tibetan Buddhism, hand-cranked prayer wheels are widely used by Buddhists outside the Tibetan community and have even become a symbol of cultural exchange. Modern prayer wheels also have solar or electric versions to meet the needs of the new era, but their core meaning remains unchanged. At the same time, hand-cranked prayer wheels also appear in Tibetan Buddhist artworks and souvenirs, becoming a medium for spreading Tibetan culture.

**Summary**

In Tibetan Buddhism, hand-cranked prayer wheels are not only a tool for practice, but also a symbol of the spread of Dharma and the spirit of compassion. Its convenience and profound cultural significance make it an important part of the Tibetan community. From its origin to the present, it combines religious beliefs, technological development and cultural heritage, becoming an indispensable part of Tibetan Buddhism.

Hand-cranked prayer wheel