Category: Ritual Objects | Tradition: Tibetan Buddhism, especially Vajrayana | Origin: Nepal, India, and Tibet
Other names: Tibetan: mani khorlo (མ་ཎི་འཁོར་ལོ་) | also called mani wheel, mantra wheel or Tibetan prayer wheel
A prayer wheel is a cylinder, turned on an axle, that holds a tightly rolled scroll of mantras. In Tibetan Buddhism, turning the wheel is a way to practice compassion, gather merit and share blessings with others. Prayer wheels are found everywhere in the Himalayan Buddhist world, from small hand-held wheels carried by pilgrims to rows of wheels at monasteries and stupas and large wheels in temple halls. This guide explains what a prayer wheel is, where it comes from, what the mantra inside means, what the wheel symbolizes, how it is used, the main types, and how to care for one.
What Is a Prayer Wheel?
A prayer wheel is made of a hollow cylinder that turns around a central spindle. Inside the cylinder is a long scroll of paper, wrapped tightly around the spindle, on which a mantra is printed or written over and over, often thousands of times. On the outside, the cylinder is usually decorated with the mantra in ornamental letters, with lotus petals or with auspicious symbols. A hand-held wheel has a handle, and a small weight on a short chain helps it to spin smoothly. Larger wheels are mounted on a stand, a wall or a frame.
Prayer wheels range from small ones that fit in the palm to very large ones that stand taller than a person. They may be made of metal, wood or both, and many are richly decorated. Whatever the size, the principle is the same: the mantras inside are set in motion each time the wheel turns, and the person turning it joins the action with intention. The word "prayer wheel" is a common English name, but it can mislead, since what the wheel holds is mantras and it is turned as an act of practice and devotion.
The Mantra Inside the Prayer Wheel
The most common mantra in a prayer wheel is Om Mani Padme Hum, the mantra of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, known in Tibetan as Chenrezig. It is often translated as "the jewel in the lotus," and it is said to hold the essence of compassion. It is written on the cylinder in ornamental letters and, in great numbers, on the scroll inside.
Other wheels are filled with the mantras of other deities, such as the Medicine Buddha for healing or Tara for protection. The more copies of the mantra a wheel holds, the more it is said to be worth, so some large wheels are filled with a very great number of mantras. The mantra scroll is sealed in the cylinder and is not opened, as it is treated with the same respect as any sacred text.
Where the Prayer Wheel Comes From
According to Tibetan tradition, the practice of the prayer wheel goes back to the great Indian master Nagarjuna. The idea of the wheel is linked to the phrase "turning the wheel of the Dharma," which describes the way the Buddha taught. Tradition also says that the prayer wheel was a way for people who could not read to take part in the recitation of sacred texts, by turning a wheel that held them.
The prayer wheel became a firm part of life across Tibet and the Himalayas. In Nepal, pilgrims at the great stupa of Boudhanath in Kathmandu turn rows of prayer wheels as they walk around it, and wheels stand in temples, monasteries and along paths and village walls throughout the Buddhist Himalayas. Because the history of the practice is told partly through tradition and partly through surviving objects, it is best to treat the early dates and origins as traditional accounts.
What a Prayer Wheel Symbolizes
The prayer wheel carries several layers of meaning.
• Turning the wheel of the Dharma: the spinning wheel recalls the Buddha's teaching, which is said to "turn the wheel" of the Dharma.
• Compassion: the mantra of Avalokiteshvara stands for compassion, and turning the wheel is a way of practicing it.
• Merit and purification: it is taught that each turn gathers merit and helps to purify negative actions, especially when the mind is focused.
• Blessings for all beings: the mantras are said to be released into the world as the wheel turns, benefiting countless beings.
Interpretations differ between lineages and teachers, so this is a general overview and not the only explanation.
How a Prayer Wheel Is Used
The wheel is usually turned clockwise, which is the direction in which the mantras are written and also the direction of circumambulation around a stupa or temple. A hand-held wheel is held in the right hand and turned with a gentle, steady motion of the wrist, while the practitioner sits quietly or walks. Many people recite the mantra aloud or silently as they turn, and keep a mind of compassion, with the wish that the merit may benefit all beings.
It is generally taught that the practice works best when the mind is focused, so the wheel is turned slowly and with attention, and not carelessly or as a fidget. At the end of a session, it is customary to dedicate the merit to the benefit of all beings. In a few traditions, such as Bön, wheels are turned counterclockwise, and some advanced tantric practices use the opposite direction for particular purposes, so if you are following a lineage, it is best to ask your teacher.
Types of Prayer Wheels
We sell almost all types of prayer wheels, from small hand wheels for personal practice to large wheels for temples. These are the main types.
- Hand-held prayer wheel: a small wheel on a handle, carried and turned by hand. It is the most personal form, and it suits daily practice at home, on the move or while walking. It is also the easiest to start with, and it is a common first prayer wheel.
- Tabletop or desktop prayer wheel: a wheel set on a base, kept on an altar, a desk or a shelf. It is turned with a finger or a light touch, which suits quiet moments at a desk or in a meditation space. Many are richly decorated and also serve as sacred art.
- Wall-mounted prayer wheel: fixed wheels set in a row on a wall, found at monasteries, temples and stupas and along pilgrimage routes. Visitors turn each wheel as they walk past, in a clockwise direction. They also suit courtyards, gardens and entrances.
- Large stationary or temple wheel: a large wheel mounted in a temple or shrine, often on a stand, which can need more than one person to turn it. It may hold a very great number of mantras. It is usually turned by pilgrims and visitors as part of their visit or their walk around the building.
- Electric prayer wheel: a wheel turned by a small electric motor, so that it turns continuously without a hand. It is found in homes, shrines and monasteries, and it suits people who would like a wheel to keep turning while they do other things. Some practitioners prefer to turn a wheel by hand, so the choice is a personal one.
- Water-powered prayer wheel: a wheel that is turned by flowing water, such as a stream or a channel, so that it spins continuously without anyone touching it. The constant movement is said to stand for the ongoing recitation of the mantras and the dedication of merit to all beings. These wheels are much less common, and they are available on request.
- Wind-powered prayer wheel: a wheel that is turned by the wind, usually a lightweight wheel placed where it will catch the breeze, such as on a roof, a balcony or in a garden. Its turning is said to spread the blessings of the mantras on the wind to all who are near. These wheels are also much less common, and they are available on request.
- Heat-powered prayer wheel: a rare form turned by the rising heat of a lamp or a flame, so that it moves without a hand. It is linked with the idea of the mantras being continuously set in motion. It is seldom seen today.
Wheels can also differ in what they hold. Many contain Om Mani Padme Hum, and others carry the mantras of the Medicine Buddha or other deities.
Materials and Craftsmanship
Prayer wheels are traditionally made from a combination of metals, wood and other natural materials. Brass and copper are common for the cylinder, bronze is used for some larger wheels, and gold and silver appear in decoration and inscriptions. Wood is used for handles, frames and stands, and steel for the axle and the supports. Many wheels are decorated with carving, embossing and stones such as turquoise and coral. Our prayer wheels are made by artisans who have worked in this field for many years, and some come from families who have practiced the craft for generations.
Read more: What Is a Prayer Wheel Made Of? | How Is a Prayer Wheel Made?
Care and Placement
Place your prayer wheel on a clean, raised altar or shelf, or hold it with clean hands, and treat it with respect, as you would any sacred object. Keep it away from damp, heat and direct sunlight. Do not leave a hand-held or tabletop wheel outdoors, and never use a prayer wheel as a toy.
Turn the wheel gently, and do not force it if it sticks. Keep the spindle and the handle clean and dry, and dust the cylinder with a soft, dry cloth. Do not open the cylinder or take out the mantra scroll. For an electric wheel, follow the maker's instructions for the power supply and keep it dry. Wall-mounted wheels placed outdoors should be wiped from time to time to remove dust and dirt.
Polish the metal gently if it dulls, and avoid harsh cleaners, especially on gilded, plated or engraved surfaces. Metals such as copper and brass may darken naturally over time, which is normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a prayer wheel?
It is a cylinder that turns on an axle and holds a scroll of mantras, used in Tibetan Buddhism as a practice of compassion and merit.
What is inside a prayer wheel?
A tightly rolled scroll of paper printed or written with a mantra, most often Om Mani Padme Hum, repeated many times.
Which way should I turn a prayer wheel?
Usually clockwise, the direction in which the mantras are written. Some traditions, such as Bön, turn wheels the other way, so ask your teacher if you follow a particular lineage.
Do I need to say the mantra while turning it?
It is generally taught that the practice is strongest with a focused mind and, if possible, with recitation of the mantra. Many people recite it silently or aloud as they turn.
Can anyone use a prayer wheel?
Yes. Using a prayer wheel does not need an initiation, and it is a common practice for beginners. To learn more, it is best to ask a qualified teacher.
Are all prayer wheels the same?
No. They come in many forms, such as hand-held, tabletop, wall-mounted, large temple, electric, wind- and water-powered wheels, and they may hold different mantras.
Can I keep a prayer wheel at home?
Yes. Many people keep one on a home altar or desk. It is best placed in a clean, raised and respectful spot.
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