Materials:

Himalayan crystal

Gold-plated copper

Turquoise

Coral

Dimensions & Weight:

Length: 13 inches

Wheel: 5 inches diameter

Weight: 1.15 kilograms

Shipping Origin: Kathmandu, Nepal

Description:

This exceptional, traditional handheld prayer wheel is made of gold-plated, filigreed copper and decorated with turquoise, coral, and Himalayan crystal.  The mantra “Om mani padme hum” is in raised Sanskrit characters on the circumference of the wheel.  At the core of the cylinder is a metal “life tree” with many thousands of mantras wrapped around it.

The concept of the prayer wheel, originating from the fourth century, is a physical manifestation of the phrase “turning the wheel of Dharma,” which describes the way in which the Buddha taught.  According to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition based on the lineage texts regarding prayer wheels, spinning such a wheel will have much the same meritorious effect as orally reciting the prayers.

According to the lineage texts, prayer wheels are used to accumulate wisdom and merit (good karma) and to purify negativities (bad karma).  In Buddhism, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have created a variety of skills means to help bring practitioners ever closer to realizing enlightenment.  The idea of spinning mantras relates to numerous Tantric practices whereby the Tantric practitioner visualizes mantras revolving around the nadis and especially around the meridian chakras such as the heart and crown.  Therefore, prayer wheels are a visual aid for developing one’s capacity for these types of Tantric visualizations.

The spiritual method for those practicing with a prayer wheel is very specific.  The practitioner spins the wheel clockwise, as the direction in which the mantras are written is that of the movement of the sun across the sky.  As the practitioner turns the wheel, it is best to focus the mind and repeat the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra.  Not only does this increase the merit earned by the wheel’s use, but it is a mind-stabilization technique that trains the mind while the body is in motion.  Intoning the mani mantra with mindfulness and the “Bodhicitta” motivation dramatically enhances the effects of the prayer wheel.  However, it is said that even turning it while distracted has benefits and merits.  Each revolution is as meritorious as reading the inscription aloud as many times as it is written on the scroll.  It is best to turn the wheel with a gentle rhythm and not too fast or frantically.  While turning smoothly, one keeps in mind the motivation and spirit of compassion and bodhicitta (the noble mind that aspires to full enlightenment for the benefit of all beings).

The benefits attributed to the practice of turning the wheel are vast.  Not only does it help wisdom, compassion and bodhicitta arise in the practitioner, it also enhances siddhis (spiritual powers such as clairvoyance, precognition, etc.).  The practitioner can repeat the mantra as many times as possible during the turning of the wheel, stabilizing a calm, meditative mind.  At the end of a practice session, there is a Tibetan Buddhist tradition of dedicating any accumulated merits that one may have gathered during practice to the benefit of all sentient beings.  Then Om Ah Hum three times.  This is customary with Tibetans upon completing any Buddhist practice, including the practice of the prayer wheel.