Kechara’s Vajrayogini Prayer Wheels
Prayer wheels are a great way to enhance your daily practice and accelerate the purification of karma and accumulation of merits. In particular, these Vajrayogini prayer wheels from Kechara have the additional benefit of creating a closer connection to this Glorious Adamantine Lady.
When we think of Tibetan Buddhism, we imagine ancient temples on the bleak slopes of the Himalayas, a refuge from the sufferings of the world, where the low, melodious chanting of scriptures can be heard, and where monks engage in meditative concentration on the nature of the mind and reality. Clouds of incense smoke waft over the landscape and pious pilgrims, both young and old, circumambulate the holy sites and white-washed stupas, chanting mantras and spinning hand-held prayer wheels.
Prayer wheels, a common part of Tibetan Buddhist paraphernalia, are often underrated by those new to Buddhism. Tibetans, however, believe that spinning prayer wheels (the bigger the better) is a powerful way of generating tremendous amounts of merit necessary for spiritual awakening and that installing prayer wheels in a place is an immensely effective way to transform the environment.
Tibetan Buddhists believe that the larger the prayer wheel, the more merits are generated when spinning it.
What are Prayer Wheels?
Known as khorlo (འཁོར་ལོ།) in Tibetan, prayer wheels are hollow cylindrical wheels filled with mantras associated with a particular Buddha. These are placed on a spindle traditionally made from wood, metal, stone, leather or coarse cotton, and are spun while reciting mantras. They are also sometimes generically known as Mani Wheels or mani chökhor (མ་ནི་ཆོས་འཁོར།), although this term only applies to prayer wheels filled with the OM MANI PEME HUNG mantra, associated with Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion. These are the most commonly found types of prayer wheels.
A young monk spins a prayer wheel in Songzhanlin Temple, Shangri-la (Yunnan). Image credit: Edwin Lee
However, prayer wheels can be filled with the mantras of any deity. Common deity mantras used in prayer wheels include Lama Tsongkhapa’s Mig Tse Ma, and the mantras of Kalachakra, Vajrasattva, Dukkar and Guru Rinpoche.
Fire prayer wheel. Photo credit: John Hill (click to enlarge)
The exterior of the prayer wheel is often decorated with carvings or images of the deity associated with the mantras within, celestial or mythical beings, auspicious symbols and even Dharma protectors.
Prayer wheels come in all sizes, from the small hand-held wheels spun by practitioners as they meditate or circumambulate holy sites, and medium-sized wheels attached to alcoves surrounding temples and monasteries on their circumambulation circuit, to the larger prayers wheels installed within temples and monasteries, and those that are continuously spun by the elements such as in water mills.
Hand-held Prayer Wheels
Assorted handheld Tibetan prayer wheels (click to enlarge)
These are usually the smallest prayer wheels you can find. They are commonly mounted on a wooden or metal spindle. A small wooden or metal weight is attached to the wheel by a short chain or leather thong.
This allows the practitioner to spin the wheel with a rotation of the wrist, which provides momentum to keep the wheel spinning with less energy than would otherwise be needed. It also serves to stabilise the wheel and gives it a more measured rotating movement.
Fire or Electric Prayer Wheels
These prayer wheels can be of various sizes and turn with the aid of the heat of a candle, fire, or electricity.
Fire prayer wheels also serve a secondary purpose. The light they emit is said to purify the negative karma of any sentient being that it touches. These days, wheels powered by electricity called Thardo Khorlo can also play music, recorded prayers and even the mantras of the associated deity.
Water Prayer Wheels
Water prayer wheel (click to enlarge)
These are wheels turned by flowing water, such as streams or rivers. It is said that the water that has touched these wheels carries the purifying and blessing power of the mantras to all sentient beings it subsequently touches in rivers, lakes and oceans.
Wind Prayer Wheels
These are wheels turned by the power of the wind. It is said that sentient beings who are touched by the wind which has turned these wheels are blessed and their negative karma is purified.
The Significance of Prayer Wheels
Wind prayer wheel (click to enlarge)
Prayers wheels are spiritual devices that allow practitioners to generate merit and blessings for themselves, the environment and others, as well as to purify negative karma. In fact, to call them prayer wheels is inaccurate. The term “mill” is more appropriate as it is defined as “a rotating object that generates something.” In this case what is generated is spiritual merit.
Mantras are considered to be the emanation of the enlightened beings in the form of sound. Reciting prayers and mantras is said to be extremely beneficial because through the physical effort of reciting them out loud, you release the energies of the enlightened beings into your body, mind and the environment to bring about transformation. As such, one’s speech becomes the doorway for blessings to pervade our lives.
The body, speech and mind are known as the “three doors.” This is because these are the three means by which we interact with the world. Thus, they are what we use to create either negative or positive karma, and for spiritual practitioners, the merit that is necessary to become an enlightened being. Since mantras are words of power, when we recite mantras, we are using our door of speech to create balance in the body and mind, in order to become a better person.
Prayer wheels in Namobuddha, Nepal
Mantras are unique in that even though they embody the energies of the enlightened beings in the form of sound, which is not physically tangible, the same is also embodied in their physical written form. Therefore, to read or see mantras also creates a very special effect. In fact, since mantras encapsulate the acoustic essence of the enlightened beings, one does not even need to see or read them. Just being near them can bring about inner transformation.
The unique feature of prayer wheels is that since they are full of written mantras, when they are spun, they send the supremely beneficial energies of the mantras out into the environment, blessing not only the practitioner, but sentient beings nearby and even the physical environment. Spiritual merit is created when we engage in virtuous activities with the motivation of helping other sentient beings. Spinning a prayer wheel therefore fulfils this motivation because the energies of the mantras sent out help to bless the sentient beings in the environment.
Inner Transformation
Before his parinirvana, Buddha Shakyamuni gave instructions for his mortal remains to be placed inside a stupa, revealing the ability of external physical objects to impact us spiritually. Click to enlarge or click here for more high resolution Buddha images.
The religion and philosophy of Buddhism gives emphasis to mind training. Buddhist practice stresses the importance of Right Action, one of the eight factors indicated in the Noble Eightfold Path. But all actions are known to have their origins in the mind, hence the Noble Eightfold Path emphasises Right Thought as well. Due to the nature of Samsara or cyclic existence, however, our minds are afflicted by ignorance, hatred and desire. These three states of mind are known in Buddhism as the Three Poisons. Buddhist practices create positive changes in our minds to overcome these delusions, and with that comes incredible transformation.
But what does this have to do with prayer wheels, especially when transformation is internal whereas prayer wheels are external physical objects? Since the beginning of Buddhism, certain physical objects have been crucial to religious practice. For example, before his death Buddha Shakyamuni gave instructions that upon his Parinirvana, his mortal remains were to be placed inside a stupa. The tradition of enshrining the relics of holy beings inside stupas, which are highly venerated, has continued ever since. Similarly, a Buddhist monk’s robes and begging bowl have long been revered as potent reminders of the inner commitment of monastic practitioners to adhere to moral conduct on their journey to enlightenment.
In essence, turning a prayer wheel is the same as circumambulating a stupa. Any positive action performed in relation to the body, speech or mind of a Buddha creates or opens up imprints in our mindstreams. In actual fact, the mind of the Buddha is everywhere simultaneously because he is omniscient, or all-knowing. However, it is due to the Three Poisons, as mentioned earlier, that we are unable to perceive the Buddha directly. Therefore, out of their great compassion, the enlightened beings manifest in various forms that we can relate to. The most important of these manifestations are our gurus. These are the beings that teach us the path to enlightenment, help us to train our minds, encourage us to purify our negative karma and generate spiritual merit to gain realisations. Other manifestations of these beings include statues, stupas, and even prayer wheels.
Anything that happens within samsara including our development of positive qualities and spiritual realisations depends on causes and conditions, which also include environmental factors. That is why retreat centres, such as Kechara Forest Retreat, are established as they provide the optimum conditions for our spiritual practice to be successful. Having a prayer wheel that has been consecrated near you and using it regularly also provides you with the opportunity for more effective meditation and to develop positive states of mind. In fact, a number of Tibetan texts state that having a prayer wheel transforms the surroundings into a veritable pure land which manifests around it. Since a prayer wheel is an object that connects us with the Buddhas and transforms our environment into a conducive condition for gaining realisations, it is logical that using a prayer wheel while circumambulating or meditating will enhance its effects too.
The History of Prayer Wheels
Many aeons ago, one of the previous lives of Buddha Shakyamuni had the fortune to meet a Buddha named Dipamkara. It was in that lifetime that Buddha Shakyamuni made offerings to the Buddha Dipamkara and generated the aspiration to achieve the enlightened state. Commentaries regarding prayer wheel practices can be traced back to Buddha Dipamkara, but they do not consider him to be the originator of the practice. Therefore, the practice of prayer wheels started aeons ago and this shows how far-reaching the compassion of enlightened beings is in their effort to help sentient beings.
During that aeon, Buddha Dipamkara gave the prayer wheel practice to one of the Naga kings. Nagas are serpentine or dragon-like beings who are long-lived. They dwell in bodies of water and natural landscapes, have control over the weather and the ability to appear in human form. This Naga king was a Bodhisattva who spread the practice throughout his kingdom. Over the course of millennia, many Nagas were able to gain high levels of spiritual realisation by relying on prayer wheels. The Nagas kept this practice secret until the time of the philosopher, scholar and attained meditator, the great Nagarjuna.
In a previous life, Nagarjuna was named Priyadarshana and was a student of the sage Vimalakirti during the time of Buddha Shakyamuni. During one of Vimalakirti’s discourses, it is said that Priyadarshana gained a high level of spiritual realisation. Buddha Shakyamuni then proclaimed that Priyadarshana would be born in South India in the future, and would be named Naga. He would spread the Buddha’s teachings far and wide and upon the completion of his benevolent work, would ascend to the pure land of Buddha Amitabha named Sukhavati.
Just as Buddha Shakyamuni predicted, Priyadarshana took rebirth as Nagarjuna, who at a young age, entered the Nalanda monastic university. While there, he excelled in his studies and became one of the institution’s most revered teachers. He also became a tantric adept, studying under the Mahasiddha Saraha. He developed such great compassion for sentient beings that the Nagas were compelled to invite him to their underwater kingdom. They had many scriptural texts given to them for safe keeping by various Buddhas including Dipamkara and Buddha Shakyamuni. Knowing that Nagarjuna was the human they had been waiting for to pass on the teachings so that humanity could benefit from them, they presented Nagarjuna with many texts.
Among these texts was the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras, which formed the basis of Nagarjuna’s later expositions on the philosophy of Shunyata or emptiness. Of these expositions, his Mulamadhyamakakarika (Root Verses on the Middle Way) paved the way for the Madhyamaka school of Buddhist philosophy, which effectively revived the Mahayana Buddhist tradition by highlighting the teachings of the Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom) Sutras. Much later, in Tibet, the great Lama Tsongkhapa expounded Nagarjuna’s views and the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden arose to protect these precious teachings. Other texts that Nagarjuna received from the Nagas include the Lotus Sutra, the Pure Land Sutra, the Jewel Heap Sutra, the Mission to Lanka Sutra, and the Inconceivable Liberation Sutras.
It was at this time that Nagarjuna received a vision of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion. Nagarjuna had a strong connection with Chenrezig, as according to the History of Buddhism in India by Taranatha, he had completed a 12-year retreat on Chenrezig, after which he gained supernatural powers that allowed him to work tirelessly for the benefit of others. In this beatific vision, Chenrezig entreated Nagarjuna to ask the Nagas for the prayer wheel that had been given to them by the Buddha Dipamkara. If he did, then many countless sentient beings would benefit from the practice since Nagarjuna would spread it. Thus it was from Nagarjuna that the prayer wheel practice, in one form or another, spread throughout the Mahayana Buddhist world. In countries like China, Korea and Japan, the practice evolved to include huge bookshelves turning around a central axis, mirroring the Tibetan prayer wheels.
Nagarjuna passed the prayer wheel practice to a lion-faced celestial dakini, after which the practice was passed down to Guru Rinpoche. It was also practised by the Mahasiddha Tilopa and his student, the Mahasiddha Naropa, who passed it down to his own student Marpa. Marpa continued with the practice in Tibet and passed it to his student Milarepa, from whom it spread throughout the country.
The practice of the prayer wheel is prevalent in all four Tibetan Buddhist schools. In fact, His Holiness the 4th Panchen Lama Lobsang Chokyi Gyaltsen installed many prayer wheels in the area surrounding the Heruka Monastery. Even contemporary high lamas such as His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Geshe Rabten promoted the practice and the sponsorship of prayer wheels for others.
Kechara’s Vajrayogini Prayer Wheels
Kechara’s prayer wheels are special and unique – they are filled with the mantra of Buddha Vajrayogini. It is believed that during the Kaliyuga, or degenerate time, certain tantras that were taught by the Buddha over 2,500 years ago have become much more potent over time. These include the Vajrayogini practice, which is part of the Maha Anuttarayoga, or Highest Yoga, class of tantras. This is because the Vajrayogini Tantras primarily work with our emotions of desire, which as the Kaliyuga progresses, increases in the mindstreams of sentient beings. Thus, her tantra is more efficacious, and her practice enables qualified practitioners to achieve supreme enlightenment more quickly during the present world-age.
Other Maha Anuttarayoga Tantras include the likes of Guhyasamaja, Heruka, Yamantaka, Kalachakra, Gyalwa Gyatso, Cittamani Tara and Hevajra.
These tantras are classified into two types, mother tantras and father tantras. The tantras are not defined by whether the deities themselves are male or female but by the method through which one gains enlightenment. Mother tantras focus more on the attainment of clear light, while the father tantras focus on the attainment of great bliss or the generation of the rainbow body.
Within the class of mother tantras, one of the most supreme is Vajrayogini. It is said that one will gain high attainments through Vajrayogini’s practice if one fulfils the four prerequisites:
- To have unwavering faith in Vajrayogini as a meditational deity;
- To have clean samaya with the guru;
- To never miss tsok offering commitments; and
- To recite a short prayer three times every day which is a request to enter her pure land.
For students of the lowest scope (scope here refers to merit), they will ascend, within 14 lifetimes, to Kechara Paradise where Vajrayogini abides, and receive teachings from her directly. For students of the medium scope, they will be met by her in the bardo, or the intermediate state between rebirths, and be taken to Kechara Paradise. And finally, for those of the highest scope, they will not leave their body behind, but will be taken in their current form to Kechara Paradise. This has been witnessed or experienced by many practitioners of the past.
Therefore Vajrayogini’s practice is extremely potent, and is the direct antidote to desire, attachment or sexual energy that is not directed correctly. Desire or sexual energy that is misdirected can bring great heartache and cause many problems. Vajrayogini’s practice is a direct counter to these afflictions and many other negative states of mind. In fact, full enlightenment can be achieved in one lifetime through this practice if one trains diligently.
By seeing Vajrayogini, making offerings to her, and making a connection with her, we will gain a great amount of merit, and create the causes to receive her practice in the future. Having and using a prayer wheel filled with her holy mantra also creates an extremely strong connection with this divine lady. If you are serious in your spiritual path, it would be wise not to miss out on this incredible opportunity to invite your very own Vajrayogini prayer wheel home. Kechara’s Vajrayogini prayer wheels are made according to traditional methods:
Step 1: Cleansing and Purification
First, the prayer wheel casings are washed thoroughly in soapy water then rinsed in fresh water to which is added:
Saffron: An aromatic herb commonly used as an ingredient in traditional Asian medicines and cooking. It is said to have a purifying effect and cleanses items of unwanted negative energies.
Phajung Rilbu: A pill created from a variety of ingredients and is a traditional substance used in Tibetan Buddhist rituals, primarily for purification and cleansing. It is also used to cleanse the interior of statues and stupas before insertion of mantras and other holy items. [Learn more about Phajung Rilbu]
Sangdruk: A powdered ritual substance made from six different ingredients. It can also be used to coat the interior of statues, stupas and wealth vases prior to mantra insertion. In fact, it is one of the traditional ingredients necessary for the creation of wealth vases. [Learn more about Sangdruk]
Menche: A powdered ritual ingredient made from 111 different substances including gold, silver, juniper, frankincense, sandalwood, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom. Menche can also be added to tormas and serkym offerings to enhance your offerings to the Three Jewels. [Learn more about Menche]
Camphor: A traditional substance used in Tibetan Buddhist rituals. It is known for its purifying properties. It also represents the speech of the enlightened beings. As an aromatic ingredient, it is often used in offerings of scent.
Having been purified with the necessary substances, the prayer wheel casings are set aside to dry completely.
First, each prayer wheel is disassembled and washed in soapy water to remove dirt and impurities.
Next, a traditional solution is prepared using water, saffron, sangdruk, menche, phajung rilbu and camphor.
The prayer wheel casings are then dipped in the solution to purify them in preparation to receive Vajrayogini’s mantra.
The prayer wheel components are then set aside to dry.
Step 2: Mantra Rolling
Next, the mantras are cut to size and rolled tightly in the traditional manner around a hollow tube. The mantra used in Kechara’s Vajrayogini prayer wheel is none other than Vajrayogini’s sacred mantra that was handwritten by the incomparable Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. This precious mantra was replicated and printed on thin canvas so that it will last for a long time, compared to traditional paper which is easily damaged.
The tops of the mantra rolls are marked to ensure that they are the right way up when they are inserted into the prayer wheels. The mantra rolls are then wrapped in yellow cloth as an offering to the Buddha’s speech. This symbolises that the mantra and Vajrayogini are indivisible.
Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s handwritten Vajrayogini mantra was printed on durable canvas to ensure it does not deteriorate in humid weather. The mantras are first cut to the correct size.
The mantras are then rolled around a hollow tube. Additional mantra sheets are added one by one until the desired diameter is achieved.
Mantra rolling is performed the traditional way with the aid of a wooden block to ensure the roll is compact, and to fit as many mantras as possible within the prayer wheel.
Once the mantra roll is at the correct size, it is secured with glue and the top of the roll is marked.
A strip of yellow cloth is then glued to the outside of the mantra roll as an offering to Vajrayogini’s speech..
Step 3: Consecration and Blessing
Finally, the mantra rolls are blessed through a Soongdrup puja and inserted into the prayer wheels. The prayer wheels also contain a protector knot, blessed by the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden and the great masters H.E. Kensur Lati Rinpoche and H.E. Kensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche.
His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche has personally blessed and consecrated the first batch of prayer wheels through sacred and powerful rituals to Vajrayogini.
Kechara’s Vajrayogini prayer wheels come in three sizes – small, medium and large – and are available in two colours. They can be invited via Vajrasecrets here.
The consecrated Vajrayogini mantra roll is inserted into the re-assembled prayer wheel. Thereafter, a protector knot is also placed within the housing before it is sealed.
Each prayer wheel is individually checked and tested prior to being blessed by H.E. Tsem Rinpoche.
On 29 October 2018, H.E. Tsem Rinpoche blessed and consecrated the first batch of prayer wheels with sacred and powerful rituals to Vajrayogini, dissolving her body, speech and mind into the mantras within.
How to Use Prayer Wheels
Prayer wheels are unique because with every spin of the wheel, it is akin to reciting the amount of mantras the wheel contains. So, if the wheel contains 500 copies of the mantra, with one spin, you generate the merit of reciting the mantra 500 times. This is a great way of making a strong connection with Vajrayogini and generating merit if you have not received her initiation yet. Prayer wheels however, should not be used in lieu of your daily practice, but in addition to it, in order to generate merits.
Prayer wheels can be used when circumambulating holy statues such as those in Kechara Forest Retreat, while reciting mantras or engaging in purification practices. You can also spin the prayer wheel while you engage in your sadhana, and even while you are watching TV.
Touch the prayer wheel to your forehead at the start and end of your session.
You should touch the prayer wheel to your forehead and make strong aspirational prayers before starting to use it. Examples of suitable aspirational prayers include the wish to gain Bodhicitta and the realisation of shunyata, to gain closeness to Vajrayogini and never be separated from her, to ascend to Kechara Paradise, and for whatever is stated in the Heruka tantras to come true.
Prayer wheels should be spun clockwise. It can be supported on your knee if necessary
Prayer wheels should be spun clockwise, but if you spin them the other way by mistake, do not worry; nothing negative will happen since the enlightened beings never harm anyone; they only help.
When spinning the prayer wheel, you should hold it at least above your waist level. If sitting down, it is permissible to rest the handle on your knee especially if it is large and heavy.
You can use the prayer wheel in either hand. If you aspire to receive Vajrayogini’s tantra, you can spin the prayer wheel with your left hand. If you are a Vajrayogini practitioner but wish to keep your practice secret out of humility, then spin the prayer wheel with your right hand.
At the end of the session, touch the prayer wheel to your forehead once more and make your dedication prayers.
Prayer wheels can be used either sitting and standing. What is important is to hold it above waist level.
Since prayer wheels contain the sacred energies of the Buddhas, in this case Vajrayogini, they should be treated with respect, just like how one would treat a statue or a Dharma text. They should not be placed on the floor or be brought into the bathroom.
It is best to keep your prayer wheel together with other holy items or on your altar when not in use. Rather than laying the prayer wheel flat, it is better to keep the mantras upright by using a vessel or stand to hold the prayer wheel upright. The vessel can be filled with pearls or other semi-precious stones as an offering to the Buddhas. Do not pack or store your prayer wheel with inappropriate items.
Try your best not to drop or damage your prayer wheel. If you should do so by accident, try your best to repair it. In the unfortunate event that your prayer wheel is damaged beyond repair, take the mantra roll out and place it in a new prayer wheel.
You can learn more about how to use a prayer wheel by watching the teaching by His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche below:
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/prayer-wheel-livestream.mp4
A Short Prayer Wheel Meditation to Purify and Heal
As prayer wheels contain sacred mantras, they can be used to purify negative karma and at the same time heal us of our physical diseases and internal delusions. There are two simple visualisations you can engage in, especially when you are circumambulating holy sites.
Visualisation 1
Visualise light rays emanating from the mantras within the prayer wheel. These rays extend to cover your body, purifying you of all diseases and defilements. These rays also purify you of your negative thoughts and negative imprints within your mindstream. You then extend these lights to all sentient beings throughout the six realms of existence. Think strongly that the light rays purify them of their suffering and pacify their negative karma.
Visualisation 2
Visualise light rays like the first visualisation. This time, the light rays hook on to your negative karma, delusions, obscurations, diseases and spirit harm. All of these negativities are sucked into the prayer wheel and are purified because the mantras are the embodiment of Vajrayogini. Having purified yourself in this manner, extend the visualisation to include all sentient beings – their negativities are likewise sucked into the prayer wheel. All sentient beings, including yourself, are now purified and liberated from all suffering.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_wheel
- http://www.dharma-haven.org/tibetan/prayer-wheel.htm
- http://www.religionfacts.com/prayer-wheel
- Lama Zopa Rinpoche (compiled by Lorne Ladner), Wheel of Great Compassion: The Practice of the Prayer Wheel within Tibetan Buddhism. 2000. Boston: Wisdom Publications.
For more interesting information:
- Don’t miss this: Offering onto Vajra Yogini
- Facebook Answered: Vajrayogini’s Sacred Initiation
- Facebook question: What are the Commitments After Receiving Vajra Yogini’s Sacred Initiation?
- Facebook question: What is Vajra Yogini’s Left Foot Stepping On?
- Flying Vajrayogini in Patan, Nepal
- For Elizabeth regarding Vajra Yogini Mandalas
- Gelug Vajra Yogini
- Getting Closer to Vajrayogini
- H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche on Vajrayogini
- Homage to the Headless Divine Lady
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I HAVE GOT NO INITIATIONS TILL NOW AND I WANT TO START PRACTICING WHERE SHOULD I START FROM AS I DONT KNOW ANY PRAYER ANY MANTRA. PLEASE GUIDE ME .
Hand-held Vajrayogini prayer wheels by Kechara are made according to traditional methods. Having and using a prayer wheel filled with Vajrayogini holy mantra creates an extremely strong connection with this powerful divine lady. It is believed that each turn of a prayer wheel represents a recitation of the prayer inside. According to Tibetan Buddhist belief, spinning a prayer wheel is just as effective as reciting the sacred texts aloud. According to the lineage texts on prayer wheels, prayer wheels are used to accumulate wisdom, merits and to purify negativities. The practitioner most often spins the wheel clockwise, as the direction in which the mantras are written. Prayer wheels are used by many Tibetans everyday, sometimes for hours on end. I have seem many Buddhist pilgrims turning these prayers wheels in Lhasa, Tibet of various sizes. Some of them are indeed very big and heavy. On the outside of these prayers wheels, mantra is written in Tibetan language, and making it more powerful. Pilgrims spin the wheels to earn merit and help them focus on the prayers they are reciting. Worshippers turn prayer wheels to accumulate merits and are part of a meditation practice.
Kechara have came up with these unique prayer wheels which are filled with the mantra of Buddha Vajrayogini. And Rinpoche had it personally blessed and consecrated the prayer wheels. That’s indeed blessed to have one then and using it to circumambulate holy statues in Kechara Forest Retreat,
Thank you Rinpoche with folded hands for creating these prayer wheels.
Mantras represents the form of sound of an enlightened beings. By reciting them loudly, we are spreading the good energies of the enlightened beings to bless everything too! The electricity wheels is a very thoughtful design for people who are busy in their daily life. It is cool to know it can play music and recorded prayers.
I would love to install the prayer water wheels or wind prayer wheels at home if we are allow to do it. So the water and winds that flow around my house area can purify and bless my neighborhood too. Imagine that all the power of the mantras then flow back into the rivers, lakes and oceans, its a good cycle.
We need at least 14 lifetimes to go Kechara Paradise and receive Vajrayogini’s teachings directly, perhaps a prayer wheel might helps us a little to get there sooner. Surprise to know mantra rolls is contained inside a prayer wheel. Each prayer wheels have gone through so many layers of blessings from the Dharma Protector and some of the great masters. It’s also a very beautiful paraphernalia!
Prayer wheels are used by many Tibetans everyday, sometimes for hours on end. Worshippers turn prayer wheels to accumulate merit, to help all beings in the world and to purify their karma . They are part of a meditation practice. Prayer wheels are devices for spreading spiritual blessings and well being. According to Tibetan Buddhist belief, spinning a prayer wheel is … By spinning the wheel clockwise and focusing on the mantra, prayer wheels are used to purify negative energy and accumulate good karma and wisdom. Prayer wheels are devices for spreading spiritual blessings and well being. According to Tibetan Buddhist belief, spinning a prayer wheel is just as effective as reciting the sacred texts aloud.
Kechara have come up with a special and unique prayer wheels which are filled with the mantra of Buddha Vajrayogini. They are made according to traditional methods. With Buddha Vajrayogini holy mantra also creates an extremely strong connection with this divine lady. Wow…our Lama personally blessed and consecrated the prayer wheels with sacred and powerful rituals,
Thank you Rinpoche for creating these prayer wheels.
May I buy a Mani mantra prayer wheel from you? Am looking for one that is about the size of a soup can.
Thank you
May all benefit
Hi Jigma,
All the prayer wheels that Kechara has available for invitation home can be found here: https://www.vajrasecrets.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=prayer+wheel
Thank you
Thank you Rinpoche for creating and blessing these prayer wheels! I have invited one for myself and can’t seem to get enough of spinning it! I didn’t read the instructions carefully and did not recite aspiration prayers during my first usage. Oops! But I do hope more of these wheels containing other mantras like Migtsema, Dorje Shugden main and families etc, can be produced to infuse the world with infinite positive energy! Thank you once again!
Starting on Vajra Yogini now. Practicing Vajra Yogini without initiation.
Find out more- https://bit.ly/2JjTTXp
https://video.tsemtulku.com/chat-videos/2019/04/chat-1554237623.mp4
Dear friends around the world,
Many people have asked how to connect with Sacred Diamond Dakini Vajra Yogini without initiation and formal commitments. I have explained how to do so here: https://bit.ly/2JjTTXp
Any form of Vajra Yogini you worship leads to the same benefit. All her forms are just her wisdom manifesting for different karmic propensities at different time periods.
Please be blessed with these beautiful pictures of Ucheyma (Severed Head Vajra Yogini) from my personal shrine. Read more on this sacred form.- https://bit.ly/2QghvhS
May you all be blessed and ascend to Kechara Paradise.
Humbly, Tsem Rinpoche
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致世界各地的朋友：
人们曾无数次问我：如何在没有受灌顶和誓言的情况下，跟殊胜的金刚空行母——金刚瑜伽母结缘。我已经在此文中跟大家解释：https://bit.ly/2JjTTXp
不管我们供奉以哪种形象示现的金刚瑜伽母，所得的益处是一样的。她以无上智慧，顺应不同时代众生的业力而示现不同形象。
衷心希望我佛坛上的“乌切玛”（断首金刚瑜伽母）像的这些庄严相片能加持你的心续。更多关于这一殊胜法相的资料，可在此阅读：https://bit.ly/2QghvhS
祈愿你获得加持，日后能登克切拉净土。
詹杜固仁波切敬启
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1552836790.mp4
Dear friends around the world,
Many people have asked how to connect with Sacred Diamond Dakini Vajra Yogini without initiation and formal commitments. I have explained how to do so here: https://bit.ly/2JjTTXp
Any form of Vajra Yogini you worship leads to the same benefit. All her forms are just her wisdom manifesting for different karmic propensities at different time periods.
Please be blessed with these beautiful pictures of Ucheyma (Severed Head Vajra Yogini) from my personal shrine. Read more on this sacred form.- https://bit.ly/2QghvhS
May you all be blessed and ascend to Kechara Paradise.
Humbly, Tsem Rinpoche
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致世界各地的朋友：
人们曾无数次问我：如何在没有受灌顶和誓言的情况下，跟殊胜的金刚空行母——金刚瑜伽母结缘。我已经在此文中跟大家解释：https://bit.ly/2JjTTXp
不管我们供奉以哪种形象示现的金刚瑜伽母，所得的益处是一样的。她以无上智慧，顺应不同时代众生的业力而示现不同形象。
衷心希望我佛坛上的“乌切玛”（断首金刚瑜伽母）像的这些庄严相片能加持你的心续。更多关于这一殊胜法相的资料，可在此阅读：https://bit.ly/2QghvhS
祈愿你获得加持，日后能登克切拉净土。
詹杜固仁波切敬启
What a wonderful and express way to make connection with the supreme red Buddha, VajraYogini. Rinpoche is very compassionate to have this idea, where many people can benefit at every step of the process; from the making of the prayer wheels to inviting it and turning the wheel. Thank you, Rinpoche!
Thank You Rinpoche for introducing this easy method for us to be one more step closer to Vajrayogini practice. I have bought 2 of them to practice and hope one daycan receive such precious Initiation from Guru. Sincere fold my hands and bow down to Guru.
The prayer wheel is one of the simplest and most powerful Tibetan Buddhist spiritual practices. It is Nagarjuna who brought the prayer wheel practice from the Nagas, passed to a lion-faced dakini and later pass down to Guru Rinpoche.
There are holy mantras inside the prayer wheel. Turning a prayer wheel is the same as circumambulating a stupa. This positive action which is related to the Buddha’s speech, can plant dharma seeds and also open up positive imprints in our mind stream. When the practitioner spins the prayer wheel together with mantra recitation, it is to train our mind to remain stable while the body is in motion.
We are fortunate to be born as human beings and to have the opportunity to practice the Dharma in many ways. With proper visualization doing the prayer wheel practice, we can purify negative karma and obscuration, and in the same time accumulate merits for a smoother spiritual path.
I think this prayer wheel must be the only Vajrayogini prayer wheel you can find in the world! Tsem Rinpoche is very kind to find ways to connect us with Vajrayogini. Vajrayogini is a very powerful tantra practice. If we have the good fortune to receive her practice and if we do it well, we will be able to ascend to her paradise in one lifetime.
Her practice is powerful because she can turn all our negative qualities such as desire, anger, jealousy etc. into the positive energy for us to pursue our spiritual practice. In addition, her Sadhana is fairly short unlike other tantra practices that will take the practitioners a few hours to do their Sadhana. Everyone who should aspire to receive her practice one day.
The best place to get connected to Vajrayogini is to come to Kechara Forest Retreat. There is a Vajrayogini stupa here for us to circumambulate and make our prayers. And not to forget, Tsem Rinpoche is a Vajrayogini practitioner, he does Vajrayogini practice every day so Kechara Forest Retreat is highly energised with her power.
I really enjoyed reading this article about Vajrayogini prayer wheels and how it use and made. I would love to invite one to use in the near future hopefully. ?? Thank you Rinpoche and writers for sharing this interesting knowledge about prayer wheels.?????
i really enjoyed reading this article abour vajrayogini prayer wheels and how it is being use and made. I would love to invite one to use in the near future hopefully. ?? Thank you Rinpoche and writers for sharing this interesting knowledge about prayer wheels.?????
I’ve had several prayer wheels over the years. I’ve always been attracted to them. Use them all the time, and usually use one during my sadhana. I have one on my desk at all times in arms reach and can’t help but pick it up and spin it at random times even when watching TV. Guess you could call them “Spiritual Fidget Spinners”.? I know millennials would understand that. Anyway, their presence has a very calming effect to the environment I’ve noticed. I have even gifted these to individuals over the years as I know they are so beneficial. They are a very easy way to generate lots of merits so quickly, and purify Karma. Wonderful to hear Kechara have produced their own Vajrayogini Prayer Wheels.
Very informative and details all about prayers wheel for us to know. The Tibetan Buddhist belief, spinning a prayer wheel is just as effective as reciting the sacred texts and having many meritorious effect on the one who turns it. According to the lineage texts prayer wheels are used to accumulate wisdom, merit and to purify negativities. They use prayer wheels to spread spiritual blessings to all sentient beings. They believe that every rotation of a prayer wheel equals one utterance of the mantra. The religious exercise is part of Tibetan life.
Wonderful now kechara have produced their own Vajrayogini Prayer Wheels where inside each prayer wheels are filled with copies of mantras of Buddha Vajrayogini. Kechara’s prayer wheels are very special and unique. Amazing just by turning a prayer wheel with millions of mantras inside is the equivalent of saying those millions of mantras.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing with us the significance of Prayer Wheels .