How Heartwood Prayer Wheels are Made
The prayer wheels we make include microfilm copies of Om Mani Padme Hung. They also include a small amount of the Four Dharmakaya Relic mantras (Stainless Pinnacle Deity, Secret Relic, Zung of the Exalted Completely Pure Stainless Light, and 100,000 Ornaments of Enlightenment). Lama Zopa Rinpoche advised us to include them in all prayer wheels as they are the highest Buddha relics of the dharmakaya. (For information about the benefits of the Four Dharmakaya relic mantras, please visit the FPMT website.)
Microfilm is very sturdy and can last 100 years or more. It provides a very clear representation of the mantra (when viewed by a microscope) and also allows for the mantra to be wound inside the prayer wheel following the lineage instructions of Nagarjuna. The Mani mantra was reduced extremely small so that millions and even billions of the mantra can be placed inside each prayer wheel. We combine traditional Buddhist specifications with modern technology to make prayer wheels that will provide the most benefit to all beings.
Microfilm is very sturdy and can last 100 years or more. It provides a very clear representation of the mantra (when viewed by a microscope) and also allows for the mantra to be wound inside the prayer wheel following the lineage instructions of Nagarjuna. The Mani mantra was reduced extremely small so that millions and even billions of the mantra can be placed inside each prayer wheel. We combine traditional Buddhist specifications with modern technology to make prayer wheels that will provide the most benefit to all beings.
Chuck begins by creating a cylinder that will hold the microfilm, applying an outer wood veneer to the cylinder and adding the outer gold letters* and place for jewels and counterweight for handheld prayer wheels. *The gold letters on the outside of the prayer wheel are written in the Lantsa script. This is an ancient letterform of Sanskrit that was preserved in Tibet. It is mainly used in temple decoration above doors and on beams. Lama Zopa Rinpoche has advised that this letter form is very beneficial to use on prayer wheels. |
Next, Chuck uses his lathe to turn the wood into the correct shape and size for each prayer wheel. (A lathe is a machine that holds the wood piece, rotating it around a horizontal axis as Chuck uses a special tool to shape the wood into the appropriate shape.) Chuck then sands, polishes, and applies a wood seal to the turned wood pieces and adds stainless steel bearings to the top and bottom pieces. |
For handheld prayer wheels, Chuck adds the counterweight, which can either be a turquoise or coral stone. Then he adds the earth and sky mandalas. (The life tree mantras and the sky and earth mandalas were drawn by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. They create the sacred inner space within the prayer wheel for the mantra and diety.) |
A finished handheld prayer wheel with turquoise counterweight ready to spin into action. Visit Benefits of Prayer Wheels and Prayer Wheel Practice to learn more about the benefits of prayer wheels and a practice you might do as you turn your prayer wheel. If you are interested in ordering a prayer wheel, please visit our Inquiry Form. |
Heartwood Prayer Wheels
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California, USA
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1-505-730-1009
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