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Hi all,
Is there a difference in kind of prayer wheel being used by Buddhism and Bön Buddhism? Because Bön Buddhists spin their wheels counter-clockwise.
Is there a difference in kind of prayer wheel being used by Buddhism and Bön Buddhism? Because Bön Buddhists spin their wheels counter-clockwise.
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Re: Prayer wheel
Mon, March 16, 2009 - 10:37 PMIn that case, then the mantras would have to be
wound the opposite direction too. We Buddhists
spin our mantras clockwise so that the mantras
"read" in correct order. If Bonpo prayer wheels are
designed counter-clockwise, which is no surprise,
since they also circumambulate counter-clockwise.
it would follow that the yantras and mantras would
also be printed and wound opposite direction.
Otherwise, they would not read properly.
Is there a Bonpo here who can confirm? -
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Re: Prayer wheel
Tue, March 17, 2009 - 3:38 AMThanks for your response.
That is what i think too. but how can you recognize one from the outside?
I mean it's also not really smart to just open it to investigate. -
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Re: Prayer wheel
Tue, March 17, 2009 - 8:54 AMWell, Buddhist prayer wheels are distributed by
Buddhists, Bonpo prayer wheels are sold by Bonpos!
Seriously, I'd only get one from my Dharma center
because, many prayer wheels are poorly made
and don't work well. Often they are made by illiterate
non-believers who don't know the right way, can't read,
think the buyer doesn't know either... So your Lama will
definitely know the difference.
Also, since there's really no limit to the possible mantras
that might be in a prayer wheel, you'd want one with mantras
you practice. Most commonly Buddhist prayer wheels contain
"Om Mani Padma Hum" but they might contain the mantra
of Padmasambhava, Medicine Buddha Vajrakilaya, Vajrasattva...
even Yamantaka instead. So if you're looking for a Bonpo prayer
wheel, ask a Bonpo Lama.
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