If you are not at all familiar with the Buddhist Dharma or with the Tibetan culture; then you may wonder, what is a Buddhism Prayer Wheel or Tibetan prayer wheel? A Prayer Wheel is a religious instrument that is native to the Buddhist religion and to the area of Tibet. It is also called a Mani Wheel by the Tibetans.
A Tibetan Prayer Wheel is a praying instrument that can turn around itself (like a wheel and hence it is called a prayer wheel) and has the words “Om Mani Padme Hum” inscribed on it with a Tibetan script. The inscribing is on the exterior surface of the Prayer Wheel, as well as the interior surface. The power of the Prayer Wheel comes from the Buddhist belief that this inscription of this mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” allows you to gain the attention of the God of the Compassion or Chenrezig.
Buddhist Mantra dictates that when this inscription is read out loud or read silently, then this brings a positive well being to the person who is reading it. In fact, according to the Buddhist beliefs, you could even just see the inscription and you would still be able to benefit from its positive effects. Thus, whether you read it or just look at it; you gain some positive force as a result. Hence the Tibetan Prayer Wheels are designed to rotate around their axis in a clockwise fashion (The spinning direction of the Universe according to the Buddhist Dharma) and thus any time you set your eyes on the inscription or if you read it as it passes you; you gain the benefits of these mantras.
The Tibetan Prayer Wheels are hence destined to be light and they could be turned just by the flick of your wrist. You can see many Tibetans or Buddhist Monks, who are constantly spinning the Tibetan Prayer Wheel as they go about their daily tasks. The instrument is designed to be practical and easy to carry and thus many people use it to pray, while they are immersed in their daily activities.
Of course, there are larger prayer wheels that are designed to be several meters long. In these Prayer Wheels, long inscriptions and mantras can be written. These can be designed so that these huge praying wheels turn by the force of the wind etc. According to the Buddhist belief, a large prayer wheel situated in an area will disperse peace and tranquility, as long as it is active and spinning.