Editing Prayer wheel (section)

== Types ==
{{unreferenced section|date=November 2021}}

=== Human-powered ===

==== Handheld wheels ====
[[File:IMG 0996 Lhasa Barkhor.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|An elderly [[Tibet]]an woman with a prayer wheel]]
The handheld prayer wheel ({{Transliteration|bo|mani lag 'khor}}) has a cylindrical, generally sheet-metal body (often beautifully embossed) mounted on a metal shaft or pin set into a wooden or metal handle that turns on a circular bearing commonly made of ''Turbinella'' (conch) shell. The cylinder itself is affixed with a cord or chain terminating in a small weight allowing it to be spun by a slight rotation of the wrist. The weighted chain, known as a “governor” in Western technology, stabilizes the wheel and keeps it spinning with less input from the practitioner than would otherwise be the case. When the prayer wheel is spun in prayer, the mantras inside become potent with the person's intent, allowing the practitioner to accumulate wisdom and merit.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}

==== Large wheels ====
[[File:Taktsang prayer wheel.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|A small prayer wheel shrine housing a large prayer wheel, [[Paro Taktsang]], [[Bhutan]]]]
Prayer wheels larger than human size are to be seen in separate rooms in [[Tibetan Buddhism|Tibetan Buddhist]] temples and can be set in motion by pilgrims. With the help of a small bell the number of revolutions can be counted. The cylinders of fixed prayer wheels are often inscribed with the formula “[[Om mani padme hum]]” (meaning “jewel in the lotus”) in ornamental Lantsa ([[Ranjana script|Ranjana]]) letters.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Lama |first1=Dalai |title=FOREWORD |date=2014-11-05 |work=My Tibetan Childhood |pages=ix–x |url=https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv1220jm6.3 |access-date=2024-12-11 |publisher=Duke University Press |last2=Gyatso |first2=Tenzin|doi=10.2307/j.ctv1220jm6.3 }}</ref>

==== Row installations ====
Many monasteries around Tibet have large, fixed, metal wheels set side by side in a row. Passersby can turn the entire row of wheels simply by sliding their hands over each one. They are set in motion by pilgrims who [[Parikrama|circumambulate]] the building in a clockwise direction.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

=== Powered by other means ===

==== Water wheels ====
[[File:Water prayer wheel.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Water-powered prayer wheel, [[Spiti valley]], India]]
This type of prayer wheel is simply a prayer wheel that is turned by flowing water. The water that is touched by the wheel is said to become blessed and carries its purifying power into all life forms in the oceans and lakes that it feeds into.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}

==== Fire wheels ====
[[File:Candle-powered prayerwheel.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Butter-lamp-powered prayer wheel, [[Manali, Himachal Pradesh|Manali]], India]]
This wheel is turned by the heat of a candle or electric light. The light emitted from the prayer wheel then purifies the negative karmas of the living beings it touches.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}

==== Wind wheels ====
This type of wheel is turned by wind. The wind that touches the prayer wheel helps alleviate the negative karma of those it touches.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}}

==== Electric dharma wheels ====
[[File:Prayer wheels samyeling dec 09.ogv|thumb|upright=0.9|left|Electric prayer wheels at [[Samye Ling]] in Scotland, 2009 (8 seconds)]]
Some prayer wheels are powered by electric motors. {{Transliteration|bo|Thardo 'khorlo}}, as these electric wheels are sometimes known, contain one thousand copies of the mantra of Chenrezig and many copies of other mantras. The {{Transliteration|bo|thardo 'khorlo}} can be accompanied by lights and music if one so chooses.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}

Electricity can certainly be considered similar to the above sources of energy for PW (water, fire, wind). The merit generated by the PW is due to the power of the Dharma Texts and Mantras; not necessarily the "power" which rotates them. These PW turn all day, all night, all through the year. The Lamas and practitioners who build, maintain and pay for the electricity rightly help to generate and dedicate the merit.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}