A prayer wheel is a cylindrical wheel on a spindle used in Tibetan Buddhism. It is typically inscribed with the mantra "Om Mane Padme Hum" and rotated by hand as a form of spiritual practice and to accumulate merit. Spinning the wheel is believed to have the same spiritual benefits as verbally reciting the mantra. The use of prayer wheel is widespread in Tibetan Buddhism and has spread to other cultures.

 

The benefits associated with rotation the wheel are numerous. It promotes knowledge, compassion and bodhichitta in the practitioner and improves siddhis (spiritual powers such as clairvoyance, precognition etc.) The practitioner can repeat the mantra as often as possible while the wheel is rolling, maintaining a calm, meditative attitude. A Tibetan Buddhist tradition holds that at the completion of a practice session, one should dedicate any acquired merits to the benefit of all sentient beings. Then three times Om Ah Hum. This is usually among Tibetans after finishing any Buddhist practice, including the prayer wheel exercise.