prayer wheel

American  

[prair] / prɛər /

noun

1. a wheel or cylinder inscribed with or containing prayers, used chiefly by Buddhists of Tibet.

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prayer wheel British  

/ prɛə /

noun

1. Buddhism (esp in Tibet) a wheel or cylinder inscribed with or containing prayers, each revolution of which is counted as an uttered prayer, so that such prayers can be repeated by turning it

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prayer wheel Cultural  

1. In Buddhism, a cylinder with prayers written on it. The prayer wheel is turned by some worshipers during prayer, or the turning may be used as a substitute for spoken prayers.

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Etymology

Origin of prayer wheel

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

It sits alongside a small dark room full of prayer wheels which squeak as they spin.

From BBC

Don’t miss the bronze prayer wheel, playful art pieces and peaceful bench swing looking out on spectacular harbor views.

From Seattle Times

Chimacum artist Tom Jay made the bronze community prayer wheel, which rings after you turn it nine times.

From Seattle Times

There’s an outside Japanese garden, a Japanese tea and meditation room, a koi pond, an intricately hand-carved Balinese wood countertop in the bar and a Tibetan prayer wheel.

From Seattle Times

The whole thing, save for the chimney and one piece of art, a prayer wheel, had been reduced to ash.

From National Geographic