When you see someone spinning a prayer wheel, Tibetan Buddhism usually comes to mind. Known as khorlo in Tibetan, prayer wheels are hollow cylindrical wheels filled with mantras associated with a particular Buddha.

The tradition of spinning prayer wheels descends from Arya Nagarjuna, the eminent Buddhist scholar who is also the founder of the profound Middle Way school of Buddhist philosophy. The lineage was then passed on through great Indian and Tibetan masters including Guru Rinpoche, Tilopa, Naropa, Marpa and Milarepa.

Prayer wheel practice is a powerful method of purifying negative karma, accumulating merits and blessing yourself, the environment and all sentient beings. Every spin of the wheel is said to be equivalent to reciting the amount of mantras it contains. In addition, it can create a strong connection to the Buddha whose mantra is inside the prayer wheel.

With so many benefits, it’s no surprise that prayer wheels are popular among Tibetan Buddhists, especially when circumambulating holy sites or reciting mantras. Watch the video to learn more about prayer wheels and how to use them properly.