The prayer wheel is a significant spiritual tool in Buddhism, especially in Tibetan and Himalayan regions like Ladakh. Found in almost every monastery, these cylindrical wheels are inscribed with the sacred mantra 'Om Mani Padme Hum' in Tibetan script. According to Buddhist belief, spinning the prayer wheel is as powerful as orally reciting the mantras, helping purify negative karma and accumulate merit. In Ladakh's monasteriesâsuch as Hemis, Thiksey, and Diskitâdevotees and monks spin large wooden or metal prayer wheels while walking clockwise around the temple, often chanting softly. These wheels are not only symbols of devotion but also represent the continuous cycle of life and the quest for enlightenment.
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