 Exhibits
Buddhist Prayer Wheel
Permanent Display
Library Atrium
Hand-forged by craftsmen in India, the Buddhist Prayer Wheel on display
at the Alvin Sherman Library was blessed by His Holiness the 14th Dalai
Lama of Tibet during his historic
visit to Nova Southeastern University on September 18, 2004. The prayer
wheel was donated by local philanthropist Albert Miniaci.
What is a Prayer Wheel and how is it used?
 The use of the prayer wheel as a mystical and religious practice dates
back to at least 400 C.E. in China. The idea of the prayer wheel may
have originated with a play on words of “turn the wheel of the
daharma” a metaphor used for the teachings of the Buddha.
There are many types and sizes of the prayer wheel, ranging from small
enough to hold in your hand to the large example donated by Albert
Miniaci. Some have been decorated very simply, with a metal, cloth,
or leather covering. Others have been made into breathtaking works
of art.
The prayer wheel has a head cover and a foot cover. The
head cover faces the sky; the foot cover looks toward the earth. They
are connected by a cylindrical body and an axle that is wrapped
in rolls of paper. The letters of the mantra (prayer) face outward.
 Prayer
wheels are used to spread spiritual blessings and well-being throughout
the universe. Rolls of thin paper, imprinted with many,
many copies of the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum, printed in an
ancient Indian script or in Tibetan script, are wound around an axle
in a protective container, and spun around and around.
It is suggested that you recite the mantra of Om Mani Padme Hume while
turning the prayer wheel. This action activates the mantra’s
powers through the spinning of the wheel. This is the mantra of Avalokiteshvara,
the Buddha of Compassion, which is recited continuously by many Tibetans.
According to tradition, a single revolution evokes a powerful and benevolent
blessing; ten revolutions purify an amount of sin the size of a mountain.
This mantra can be found carved on rocks, written on prayer flags,
embossed on jewelry, and inside of most prayer wheels. Its physical
presence is understood to offer protection to those nearby. It is customary
to turn prayer wheels in homes first thing in the morning and last
thing before bed at night. Also, many people carry them and rotate
them throughout the day.
Who is the Dalai Lama?
The Dalai Lama is the traditional head of the Tibetan people and the
spiritual leader of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The current
Dalai Lama, the 14th in a line of Buddhist spiritual and temporal leaders
of Tibet, fled to India during the revolt against Chinese control in
1959 and today, from exile, promotes Tibetan religious and cultural
traditions.
The 14th Dalai Lama (loosely translated “Ocean of Wisdom”)
was born Lhamo Thondup on July 6, 1935 in Taktser, a small village
in far northeastern Tibet. In 1937 Tibetan monks began scouring the
countryside northeast of the capital city of Lhasa on a mission to
find the successor to the 13th Dalai Lama, who had died in 1935. As
dictated by centuries of tradition, the monks relied on dreams, oracles,
and omens to lead the way, and at last they came to a farmhouse in
the village of Taktser. Inside they found a two-year-old boy whom they
subjected to an exhaustive series of tests. It is said that when they
tested him, Lhamo correctly identified objects belonging to his predecessor,
which convinced the monks they had found the reincarnation of the 13th
Dalai Lama. On February 22, 1940, he was officially installed as spiritual
leader of Tibet.
 Today
the Dalai Lama is widely regarded for his humanitarian efforts. His
struggles for peace and freedom have made him one of the most recognized
and regarded political and spiritual leaders in the world. He spends
much of his time traveling to speak out against communism and for peace.
On
September 18, 2004, the Dalai Lama made an historic visit to Nova Southeastern
University where he addressed the public, university students, faculty
and staff in an outdoor venue in front of the Alvin Sherman Library. During
his visit, an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters was conferred upon
His Holiness by NSU President Ferrero. His Holiness also blessed the
Buddhist Prayer Wheel which is now displayed in the library.
Learn More ...
About the Dalai Lama:
About Buddhism and the prayer wheel:
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