A Tibetan prayer wheel
Object No. A6216
Tibetan prayer wheel, copper / brass / bamboo / ivory / paper, maker unknown, Tibet, 1900-1972
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Summary
Physical Description
Tibetan prayer wheel, copper / brass / bamboo / ivory / paper, maker unknown, Tibet, c. 1900 Tibetan prayer wheel comprising a cylindrical bamboo handle with brass trimming, metal piece protruding from one end with an ivory disc and a copper cylinder featuring a thin hollow centre, which is inserted on top of the metal piece. Above the cylinder is a copper domed lid and on one side of the cylinder is also a brass bound chain and weight attached.There is a thin cylindrical hole pierced through the lower section of the handle and inside the cylinder is a coiled paper prayer.
DIMENSIONS
Height
240 mm
Width
70 mm
HISTORY
Notes
Prayer wheels are also referred to as Mani wheels by the Tibetans. According to Tibetan Buddhist belief, spinning such a wheel will have much the same effect as orally reciting the prayers. Essentially, a prayer wheel is a wheel on a spindle, which has encapsulated prayers or mantras written on the wheel. Prayer wheels are used primarily by the Buddhists of Tibet and Nepal, where hand-held prayer wheels are carried by pilgrims and other devotees, and are turned during devotional activities. For many Buddhists, the prayer wheel also represents the Wheel of the Law (or Dharma) set in motion by the Buddha. The prayer wheel is also useful for illiterate members of the lay Buddhist community, since they can 'read' the prayers by turning the wheel.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs J Stanton, 1972
Acquisition Date
29 December 1972
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