Prayer Wheels

A prayer wheel is one of the best-known objects of Tibetan Buddhism, and at the same time one of the most often misunderstood. It is not a decorative souvenir. It is an instrument of practice, used daily by millions of people for centuries.

Inside every prayer wheel is a paper roll on which a mantra is written thousands of times. The best known is Om Mani Padme Hum, the mantra of compassion. Each turn of the wheel counts as one recitation of that mantra. A simple, strong practice that fits into any daily routine.

Hand prayer wheels in brass and silver are made in the Himalayas by artisans who have known this technique for generations. The outside is often engraved with mantras, lotus flowers or the eight auspicious signs. The weight and balance of a good prayer wheel matter a great deal. It should turn naturally in the hand, without effort.

Alongside the hand prayer wheel there are also standing prayer wheels for the altar and wall prayer wheels for the entrance of the house. Each form has its own tradition and use. What they share is the intention: to set the force of a mantra in motion, quietly and steadily, even when the mind is occupied with other things.

At tibet-markets.ch we carry prayer wheels in various sizes and finishes, all carefully chosen and sourced directly from Tibetan artisans. Every wheel we offer we have held in our own hands.