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

See Examples For:

prayer wheel

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

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 3, 2021

It’s written inside every prayer wheel in this largely Buddhist part of India.

From Slate ● Feb. 26, 2018

With its sunken floor, Claes Oldenburg-esque light fixtures and Tibetan prayer wheel, the place felt more like a scene-y Manhattan restaurant — Tao, Hakkasan — than a cruise dining hall.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 17, 2017

You could say that Tshering has not so much abandoned his religious practice as transferred it — exchanged the Buddhist prayer wheel for the spoked and metal-rimmed kind.

From New York Times ● Oct. 30, 2014

“Like a prayer wheel goin’ round and round,” said Mr. Nancy.

From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman