This Table top Mantra Prayer Wheel is hand spun. It has a gold-plated top and bottom with clear acrylic outer cover. Inside contains a Mani mantra roll  13650 times/roll

MERITS AND BENEFITS

Extract from the Great Casket Sutra: The immense benefits of turning the prayer wheel includes: removal of past karmic debts and defilements; subjugate mara hindrances, physical and spiritual illnesses, hunger, imprisonment, wars, hatred , etc.  The mertis of turning the prayer wheel are so immense – one can attain wish fulfillment , peace and perfection in this life time.

Narration:

The Six-Syllable Mantra (Oṃ Maṇi Padme Hūṃ) has a very important position in Tibetan Buddhism. It is regarded as the fundamental mantra of Avalokitesvara and represents the symbol of compassion and wisdom. Its influence and mythological origin can be explored from the following aspects:

I. The influence and status of the Six-Syllable Mantra in Tibetan Buddhism

1. **Core religious practice**:

- The Six-Syllable Mantra is one of the most widely used mantras in Tibetan Buddhism, and it runs through almost all sects (Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, Gelug, etc.). Believers accumulate merits, purify karma and approach the compassionate nature of Avalokitesvara by chanting, writing, carving stones, turning prayer wheels, etc.

- It is believed to have infinite blessing power, which can help practitioners eliminate suffering, gain inner peace, and ultimately guide sentient beings out of reincarnation and achieve liberation or Buddhahood.

- In daily life, Tibetans often incorporate the six-syllable mantra into their lives, such as carving it on Mani stones, writing it on prayer flags, or putting it in prayer wheels. Its influence can be seen everywhere.

2. **Symbolizing the compassion of Avalokitesvara**:

- The six-syllable mantra is regarded as the incarnation of Avalokitesvara. Reciting this mantra is equivalent to directly connecting with the compassion of Avalokitesvara. Avalokitesvara is a highly respected bodhisattva in Tibetan Buddhism, symbolizing boundless compassion. The six-syllable mantra has thus become a bridge between believers and bodhisattvas.

- The six words of the mantra are believed to correspond to the six realms of reincarnation (heaven, human, asura, animal, hungry ghost, hell). Reciting this mantra can help sentient beings in the six realms escape from the sea of ​​suffering.

3. **Cultural and social impact**:

- The six-syllable mantra is not only a religious mantra, but also an important symbol of Tibetan culture. It appears in literature, art, architecture and daily life, reflecting the profound influence of Tibetan Buddhism on Tibetan culture.

- For example, Mani piles (stone piles with the six-syllable mantra engraved on them) are common religious landscapes in Tibetan areas. Believers chant the mantra silently while circumambulating the mani piles or turning prayer wheels to express their piety and blessings.

4. **Spirituality and practice**:

- In the practice of Tibetan Buddhism, the six-syllable mantra is used in visualization, meditation, and rituals. Practitioners believe that chanting the mantra can purify the three karmas of body, speech, and mind, and inspire inner compassion and wisdom.

- According to the teachings, chanting the six-syllable mantra has immeasurable merits, and even just hearing or seeing the mantra can plant the seeds of liberation.

2. The myths and origins of the six-syllable mantra

The origin of the six-syllable mantra is closely related to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. There are many myths related to its origin recorded in Tibetan Buddhist literature and oral traditions. Here are the main legends:

1. **Avalokitesvara's vow**:

- According to Tibetan Buddhist scriptures (such as the Great Compassion Mantra Sutra or Tibetan Buddhist traditions), the Six-Syllable Mantra is the mantra that Avalokitesvara uttered to save the six realms of sentient beings. Avalokitesvara made a great vow to save all sentient beings from the suffering of samsara, and the Six-Syllable Mantra is the epitome of his compassionate power.

- According to legend, after seeing the endless suffering of the six realms of sentient beings, Avalokitesvara shed tears of compassion, which turned into a mantra and spread to the world, becoming a convenient method for sentient beings to be liberated.

2. **Six-Syllable Correspondence to the Six Realms and Wisdom**:

- Each word of the Six-Syllable Mantra is believed to have a specific power and meaning, corresponding to the suffering of the six realms of sentient beings, and is connected to the wisdom and compassion of Avalokitesvara. Although the specific interpretation varies from sect to sect, it is generally believed that:

- **Om (Oṃ)**: Purifies the arrogance of the heavenly realm and symbolizes the purity of body, speech, and mind.

- **Ma**: Purifies jealousy in the Asura realm and awakens compassion.

- **Ni**: Purifies greed in the human realm and inspires wisdom.

- **Pad**: Purifies ignorance in the animal realm and brings enlightenment.

- **Me**: Purifies greed in the hungry ghost realm and grants generosity.

- **Hūṃ**: Purifies hatred in the hell realm and leads to liberation.

- The combination of these words is considered to be the perfect embodiment of the compassion and wisdom of Avalokitesvara.

3. **Legendary transmission**:

- According to Tibetan Buddhist legends, the six-syllable mantra was directly passed on by the Buddha or Avalokitesvara to the great bodhisattvas and practitioners, and was later brought to Tibet by Indian masters (such as Guru Padmasambhava) and integrated into the Tantric tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

- When Padmasambhava introduced Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century, he is said to have promoted the Six-Syllable Mantra, taught his followers to chant it to gain blessings, and incorporated it into the practice of the Nyingma school. Other schools, such as Tsongkhapa of the Gelug school, also emphasized the importance of this mantra.

4. **Miracles in Mythology**:

- There are many stories about miracles of the Six-Syllable Mantra in Tibetan Buddhism. For example, practitioners who chant this mantra can be protected in danger or be guided by Avalokitesvara at the end of their lives.

- A famous legend is about the origin of Mani stones: a devout Tibetan believer carved the Six-Syllable Mantra on stones, which were believed to have spiritual power and could protect local residents, so Mani piles became religious symbols in Tibet.

3. The symbolic meaning of the six-syllable mantra

- **The combination of compassion and wisdom**: The six-syllable mantra is interpreted as "Maṇi Padme", which symbolizes the perfect combination of wisdom (jewel) and compassion (lotus), which is the core goal of Tibetan Buddhist practice.

- **Salvation of all sentient beings**: This mantra is considered to be the manifestation of the compassion of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. The chanter not only prays for himself, but also prays for liberation for all sentient beings, reflecting the altruistic spirit of Mahayana Buddhism.

4. Practical application and cultural influence

- **Prayer wheel and Mani pile**: Tibetans write the six-syllable mantra on paper and put it in the prayer wheel. They believe that turning the prayer wheel is equivalent to chanting the mantra, which has infinite merits. Mani piles are mantras carved on stones and worshipped on the roadside or in holy places.

- **Art and symbols**: The six-syllable mantra often appears in thangkas, Buddha statues and temple decorations, becoming an important element of Tibetan Buddhist art.

- **Daily practice**: Whether it is a monk or an ordinary believer, chanting the six-syllable mantra is part of daily practice, and many people chant thousands or even tens of thousands of times every day.

Conclusion

The six-syllable mantra is not only a religious mantra in Tibetan Buddhism, but also a symbol of compassion, wisdom and liberation. Its mythological origin is closely related to the compassionate vow of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. Through the spread of masters such as Padmasambhava, it has become one of the core practices of Tibetan Buddhism. It not only affects the religious life of Tibetans, but is also deeply integrated into their culture and daily life, becoming a bridge connecting people and Bodhisattvas, the world and liberation.

BASIC DESIGN

The five-colour dharma wheel decals on the top and bottom of the mantra roll represents the 5 Dyani Buddhas. The dharma wheel is encircled by icons representing the dharma cloud.  Turning the dharma wheel atop the cloud will remove obstables. The eight different colours lotus on top represents the eight bodhisattvas. In the middle is the Yidam’s heart mantra, separated by Om Ah Hum, meaning the mantra is blessed by the Yidam’s body, speech and mind. The eight auspicious symbols decorate the bottom of the roll.