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.

Origins

The earliest recorded prayer wheels was written by a Chinese pilgrim around 400 CE. in Ladakh. The concept of the prayer wheel is a physical manifestation of the phrase "turning the wheel of Dharma," which describes the way in which the Buddha taught.

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See also:

• Science: Social Sciences: Psychology: Psychology and Religion: Religious Experience: Prayer (23)

• The Basics of Muslim Prayer
  sunna.info
  Teaching Muslim prayer with text and illustrations.
• Fortification of the Muslim
  makedua.com
  On-line rendition of the "little du'a book" by Hisnul Muslim.
• Islamic Watch
  islamic-watch.com
  Online calculator for prayer times for many cities world-wide; also converts dates from Gregorian calendar to Hijri.