Feb
27
2010
- Golden Prayer Wheel Pendant
I am curious of the orignal of the Tibetan Prayer Wheel for a long time, and then I see some materials in the internet and other books. Here I will share it with all the readers in this blog. The ancient texts tell us that the Prayer Wheel was brought to our world by Nagarjuna, a famous Indian Buddhist scholar, philosopher and yogi. Filled with compassion and concern for others, Nagarjuna was a wise and gifted teacher whose aim in all things was how to best benefit mankind. It is through his efforts that the Mahayana Buddhist vision of universal responsibility and unconditional love spread throughout most of Central and Eastern Asia.
Passed down from one master to another, the Prayer Wheel lineage was brought to Tibet by Padmasambhava and handed down through time to Tilopa, Naropa, Marpa, and Milarepa. The custom of spinning the Prayer Wheel is practiced to this day. Turning it once is reputed to be as empowering as one, seven, or nine years of retreat.
The scrolls that fill every Tibetan Prayer Wheel are inscribed with the mantra, OM MANI PADME HUM — that mantra is written and repeated over and over again. Each turn of the wheel sends the power of those words out to the four corners of the universe. It is said that ‘anyone who recites the six syllables while turning the dharma wheel at the same time is equal in fortune to the Thousand Buddhas’. Look this excellent Golden Prayer Wheel Pendant, I have to respect the wisdom of the ancient people.
Feb
27
2010
- Exquisite Prayer Wheel
You can see many different sizes Exquisite Prayer Wheel in Tibetan, and the use of the Tibetan Prayer Wheel as a mystical practice dates back to at least 400 C.E. in China. The idea itself of the prayer wheel might have originated as a play on words of “turn the wheel of the daharma”—a classical metaphor used for Buddha’s teaching activity.
There are many types and sizes of prayer wheels. The most common one is a simple hand-held metal or wooden object, from four to six inches long, with a cylindrical body and a metal or wooden axle that serves as a handle at one end, while the other end is wrapped with a roll of paper on which a mantra or prayer is written. The prayer or mantras are repeated in a row, with the length of paper sometimes reaching twenty yards or more. An ornate cover protects the spool of prayers; the prayers cycle and turn with each rotation of the wrist, due to a weighted cord or chain. It is customary to turn prayer wheels in homes first thing in the morning and last thing before bed in the evening, and many people carry and rotate one while walking throughout the day.
Most common in Tibet, they are sometimes even referred to as “Tibetan Prayer Wheel” or “Mani,” derived from the mantra or prayer “Om Mani Padme Hum.” Tibetan Buddhists believe these words sacred and its recital, silently or out loud, evokes a powerful, spiritual and benevolent blessing. Traditionally, even though the wheel itself and its practical uses for carts were known from other cultures, the Tibetans considered the wheel very sacred and did not allow its use for any other purpose other than that of the prayer wheel.
Ironically, in recent years the reverse is true, as much of Tibetan culture has had to seek refuge outside its homeland. Now the wheel is used largely for trucks, cars, busses, and tanks, and the spiritual uses of the wheel and other practices are severely restricted.
Feb
26
2010
Complex Prayer Wheel
I think the Tibetan Prayer Wheel is simple seeing from its appearance, but now I don’t. Today we will talk about the Complex Prayer Wheel. In Tibetan Buddhism, a mechanical device used as an equivalent to the recitation of a mantra. The prayer wheel consists of a hollow metal cylinder, often beautifully embossed, mounted on a rod and containing a consecrated paper bearing a mantra. Each turn of the wheel by hand is considered equivalent to orally reciting the prayer. Variants to the handheld prayer wheel are large cylinders that can be set in motion by hand or attached to windmills or waterwheels and thus kept in continuous motion.
A prayer wheel is a cylindrical ‘wheel’ (Tibetan: ‘khor) on a spindle made from metal, wood, stone, leather, or even coarse cotton. Traditionally, the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is written in Sanskrit externally on the wheel. Also sometimes depicted are Dakinis, Protectors and very often the 8 auspicious symbols Ashtamangala. According to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, spinning such a wheel will have much the same meritorious effect as orally reciting the prayers.
Knowing the Tibetan Prayer Wheel is not made easily, you will more inspire the wisdom of the people in the old times and you will take good care of it.
Feb
26
2010
I think Tibetan is a place where full of mystery, so I always paying more attetion to the Tibetan designers just like the Tibetan Prayer Wheel. But for a long time I don’t know How To Use Tibetan Prayer Wheel, and then I see it on occasion. Now I want to share it with you.
Hand held prayer wheels are spun clockwise with one hand using a hola-hoop motion with the wrist and forearm. Generally, they are constructed of a cylindrical body of metal (sometimes of wood), penetrated along its axis by a metal axle mounted in wooden or metal handle. The cylinder, along with the mantra roll it contains, can be kept turning with a slight rotation of the wrist, thanks to a weighted cord or chain. The cord and chain are a key element to adding enough weight to make the rotation smooth and easy.
This image shows the wheel leaning on a wooden rest while being stored. The mantra roll has been removed from the protective case so that you can clearly see the contents. In the case of a small hand-held wheel like this one the scroll can be a dozens or more yards long.
Inside all of our prayer wheels are hand written scrolls of all the complete mantras. When turning clockwise you are activating the prayer and generating positive karma. The Tibetan Prayer Wheel is really the product of the wisdom of the people.
Feb
26
2010
Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Wheel are used by Tibetan Buddhists to spread their prayers to the Buddha Chenrezig, who is the embodiment of compassion. Inside of the wheel there is a prayer, “Om Mani Padme Hum,” and this prayer asks for spiritual power and blessings from Chenrezig. If you would like you could also put your own prayer inside of the wheel of your prayer wheel.
This Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheel is made from copper, Tibetan silver, and elm wood. The mantra sign is written around the outside of the prayer wheel and the Eight Auspicious Buddhist Symbols are written around the outside as well. There is a Tibetan Buddhist mantra written around the inside of this Tibetan Prayer Wheel. This Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheel was handmade in Tibet. These Tibetan Prayer Wheel are waiting for you to choose.
Feb
26
2010
These prayer wheels which are real Tibetan Prayer Wheel are used to accumulate wisdom and merit or good karma and to purify negativities such as bad karma. The idea of spinning mantras comes from numerous Tantric practices where the Tantric practitioner visualizes mantras revolving around the nadis and especially around the meridian chakras such as the heart and crown. Therefore Tibetan Prayer Wheel is 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 (with slight variations according to different Buddhist sects). The practitioner most often spins the wheel clockwise, for the direction the mantras are written is that of the movement of the sun across the sky. However, on rare occasions advanced Tantric practitioners such as Senge Dongma, the Lion-Faced Dakini spin prayer wheels counterclockwise to manifest a more wrathful protective energy.
Feb
03
2010
The Prayer Wheel plays a very important role in Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The prayer wheel has been used for over a thousand years by the great Yogis of Tibet, including Marpa and Milarepa, as well as Tibetan people from all various walks of life. The practice of turning the Prayer Wheel, or even wearing or having in one’s home, is said to be of immeasurable benefit for oneself and others. Buddhist teachers and the ancient texts expound the profound benefits of the Tibetan Prayer Wheel for its ability to quickly harmonize the environment, increase compassion, encourage a peaceful state of mind, and assist practitioners on their journeys to enlightenment.
Our Prayer Wheels have been made and filled according to the detailed instructions in the Tibetan Buddhist Commentaries. Made with the proper earth and sky wheels, the method for making all our Tibetan Prayer Wheels has been verified by Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche.
Feb
03
2010
The very common religious objects–Prayer Wheels is also called Chokhor in Tibetan. A hand held Tibetan Prayer Wheel is a hollow wooden or metal cylinder attached to a handle. Om Mani Padme Hung mantras are printed or etched in relief on the cylinder. Attached to the cylinder is a lead weight with a chain, which facilitates the rotation. Tibetans use prayer wheels to spread spiritual blessings to all sentient beings and invoke good karma in their next life. They believe that every rotation of a prayer wheel equals one utterance of the mantra, thus the religious practice will in return help them accumulate merits, replace negative effects with positive ones, and hence bring them good karma. The religious exercise is part of Tibetan life. People turn the wheel day and night while walking or resting, whenever their right hands are free while murmuring the same mantra. Buddhists turn the wheel clockwise. Bon followers turn the wheel counter clockwise.
Tibetan Prayer Wheel vary in size and type. Not all prayer wheels are hand held. It is common for bucket-sized prayer wheels to be lined up on wooden racks along walking paths circling monasteries and other sacred sites, for the benefit of visiting pilgrims. Larger water, fire, and wind prayer wheels are built so that they are empowered by the flowing water, the flaming light, and the blowing wind which drive them, and can later pass their positive karma to all who touch them.
Feb
03
2010
It is said that prayer wheels are used to accumulate wisdom and merit or good karma and to purify negativities such as bad karma. The idea of spinning mantras comes from numerous Tantric practices where the Tantric practitioner visualizes mantras revolving around the nadis and especially around the meridian chakras such as the heart and crown. Therefore Tibetan 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 (with slight variations according to different Buddhist sects). The practitioner most often spins the wheel clockwise, for the direction the mantras are written is that of the movement of the sun across the sky. However, on rare occasions advanced Tantric practitioners such as Senge Dongma, the Lion-Faced Dakini spin prayer wheels counterclockwise to manifest a more wrathful protective energy. Before, during and after the practitioner turns the wheel, it is best to focus the mind and repeat the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra, as this increases the merit earned by the wheel’s use. Intoning the mani mantra with mindfullness and the “Bodhicitta” motivation dramatically enhances the effects of the Tibetan Prayer Wheel. However, it is said that even turning it while distracted has benefits and merits and it states in the lineage text that even insects that cross a prayer wheel’s shadow will get some benefit. Each revolution is as meritorious as reading the inscription aloud as many times as it is written on the scroll, and this means that the more Om Mani Padme Hum mantras that are inside a prayer wheel then the more powerful it is. The wheel must not be spun too fast or frantically, but held upright (if a hand-held wheel) and turned smoothly with the motivation and spirit of compassion and bodhichitta (the noble mind that aspires to full enlightenment for the benefit of all beings). Which, it’s been stated, are some of the benefits attributed to the practice of turning the wheel. It helps wisdom, compassion and bodhichitta arise in the practitioner. The practitioner should also repeat the mantra as many times as possible during the turning of the wheel, and keep a calm meditative mind. Also, there’s a Tibetan Buddhist tradition of asking the Buddhas and bodhisattvas to dedicate any accumulated merits that you may have gathered during practice to all sentient beings. This is standard with Tibetans completing any Buddhist practice including the practice of the prayer wheel.
