Prayer wheel and Stupa, or chorten, in Skiu, Markha Valley, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Prayer wheel and Stupa, or chorten, in Skiu, Markha Valley, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India A prayer wheel is a cylindrical wheel on a spindle made from metal, wood, stone, leather or coarse cotton. Traditionally, the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is written in Sanskrit on the outside of the wheel. Also sometimes depicted are Dakinis, Protectors and very often the 8 auspicious symbols Ashtamangala. At the core of the cylinder is a "Life Tree" often made of wood or metal with certain mantras written on or wrapped around it. Many thousands (or in the case of larger prayer wheels, millions) of mantras are then wrapped around this life tree. The Mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is most commonly used, but other mantras may be used as well. According to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition based on the lineage texts regarding prayer wheels, spinning such a wheel will have much the same meritorious effect as orally reciting the A stupa, or chorten, is a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing religious relics (typically the remains of Buddhist monks or nuns), and used as a place of meditation.
Size: 4928px × 3264px
Location: Skiu, Markha Valley, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Photo credit: © Geoff Marshall / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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