Prayer wheels

The Meaning of a Prayer Wheel
A Buddhist prayer wheel is typically a hollow cylindrical wheel made of metal, wood, or stone, often intricately embossed, mounted on a handle or axis made of wood or precious metal. It is an integral element of Tibetan and Buddhist tradition. Buddhist prayer wheels are known as Mani wheels in the Tibetan language.

The Spiritual Benefits of a Prayer Wheel
Using Buddhist prayer wheels aids in meditation and serves as a means to accumulate wisdom, good karma, and a way to dispel negative energy. The interior of the hollow cylinder contains a tightly rolled paper or other material filled with printed or hand-written mantras. Traditionally, rotating such a wheel is believed to have similar meritorious effects to orally reciting prayers. This outer part is removable to allow for the insertion of sacred text into the cylinder. At the core of the cylinder lies a “tree of life”, often made of wood or metal, with certain mantras inscribed or rolled on it.

The Variety of Buddhist Prayer Wheels
Buddhist prayer wheels come in various sizes and styles. They range from small handheld prayer wheels to table-top ones or even massive ones, as tall as 2 to 3 meters with a diameter of 1.5 to 2 meters. It’s not only the size that defines the types of prayer wheels. There are many types of Buddhist/Tibetan prayer wheels:

Hand-held mani prayer wheels
Water-powered prayer wheels
Fire-powered prayer wheels
Wind-powered prayer wheels
Stationary prayer wheels
Electric dharma prayer wheels
Solar-powered prayer wheels with automatic rotation

The Significance of the Mantra in a Buddhist Prayer Wheel
Most prayer wheels contain the six-syllable mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum.” Each syllable in the mantra holds a specific meaning within the Buddhist prayer wheel:

Om: Represents generosity
Ma: Symbolizes jealousy and ethics
Ni: Stands for patience and purifies passion/desire
Pad: Signifies diligence and purifies ignorance/prejudice
Me: Represents renunciation and purifies poverty/possession
Hum: Symbolizes wisdom and purifies aggression/hatred

Turning these Buddhist prayer wheels and reciting mantras is considered one of the most thoughtful and beneficial actions one can engage in spiritually.