Buddhism

A Dictionary of Buddhism The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions Further reading

prayer wheel

A Dictionary of Buddhism | 2004 | | Copyright

prayer wheel. Associated with Tibetan Buddhism (see Tibet), this is a metal cylinder packed with printed sheets of mantras that pivots on a spindle or handle. When rotated, it is believed that the power of the mantras is ‘activated’ and they bestow protection and merit (puṇya). Prayer wheels are usually small hand-held objects, although larger wall-mounted ones are seen. Some prayer wheels in Tibet were water-powered.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

DAMIEN KEOWN. "prayer wheel." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "prayer wheel." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-prayerwheel.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "prayer wheel." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-prayerwheel.html

Learn more about citation styles

Prayer wheel

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Prayer wheel. A cylinder, used in Tibetan Buddhism, inscribed on the outside with a mantra (often Oṃ mani padme hum), and containing scrolls on which this and other mantras, as well as sacred texts, are written. Turning the wheel (clockwise, never anti-clockwise, except among adherents of Bön) releases the power inherent in the texts and prayers.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

JOHN BOWKER. "Prayer wheel." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Prayer wheel." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Prayerwheel.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Prayer wheel." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Prayerwheel.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Bhutan - land of spirits, prayer wheels and kind smiles.(Commentary) Newspaper article from: The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA); 6/25/2006
	Tales of Tibet: Sky Burials, Prayer Wheels, and Wind Horses.(Book... Magazine article from: World Literature Today; 4/1/2003
	HERO PILOT LANDS ON WING AND A PRAYER; Drama after jet wheel fails.(News) Newspaper article from: Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland); 1/28/2003