Hand-spinned Prayer Wheel Amitabha

This Table top Mantra Prayer Wheel is hand spun. It has a gold-plated top and bottom with clear acrylic outer cover. Inside contains a Amitabha mantra roll.13650 times. 

  

MERITS AND BENEFITS

Extract from the Great Casket Sutra: The immense benefits of turning the prayer wheel includes: removal of past karmic debts and defilements; subjugate mara hindrances, physical and spiritual illnesses, hunger, imprisonment, wars, hatred , etc.  The mertis of turning the prayer wheel are so immense – one can attain wish fulfillment , peace and perfection in this life time.

 

BASIC DESIGN

The five-colour dharma wheel decals on the top and bottom of the mantra roll represents the 5 Dyani Buddhas. The dharma wheel is encircled by icons representing the dharma cloud.  Turning the dharma wheel atop the cloud will remove obstables. The eight different colours lotus on top represents the eight bodhisattvas. In the middle is the Yidam’s heart mantra, separated by Om Ah Hum, meaning the mantra is blessed by the Yidam’s body, speech and mind. The eight auspicious symbols decorate the bottom of the roll. 

Narration:

The influence and status of the Amitabha mantra in Tibetan Buddhism, as well as the origin of its mythological stories, can be explained from the following aspects:

 

**The content and meaning of the Amitabha mantra**

The Amitabha mantra is: "Om Ami Dewa Hrih" (Tibetan pronunciation: Om Ami Dewa Hrih). This mantra is the essence of Amitabha, representing the blessings of infinite light, infinite life, and compassionate wisdom. In Tibetan Buddhism, chanting this mantra is believed to purify karma, increase blessings and wisdom, and establish a connection with Amitabha's Pure Land - the Western Paradise, helping practitioners to be reborn in the Pure Land.

 

- **Meaning**:

- "Om" represents the fundamental sound of the universe, symbolizing the purity of body, speech, and mind.

- "Ami Dewa" is the Tibetan name of Amitabha, symbolizing infinite light and infinite life.

- "Hrih" is the seed sound of the mantra, representing the awakening of compassion and wisdom.

Reciting this mantra can help practitioners eliminate greed, anger, ignorance and other troubles, cultivate compassion, and pray for rebirth in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

 

**Influence and status in Tibetan Buddhism**

In Tibetan Buddhism, Amitabha is one of the important deities, especially in the Pure Land method and longevity practice. Its mantra has a significant impact on the following aspects:

 

1. **The core of Pure Land belief**:

Amitabha's Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is one of the spiritual goals that Tibetan Buddhists yearn for. Reciting the Amitabha mantra is regarded as an important way to establish a connection with Amitabha, which helps to be reborn in the Pure Land. Tibetan Buddhism emphasizes the purification of the mind and the accumulation of merit through the visualization of Amitabha and his Pure Land, combined with the recitation of the mantra.

 

2. **Longevity practice**:

Amitabha is known as the "Buddha of Infinite Life". His mantra is often used in longevity empowerments and practices to pray for health, longevity and wisdom. Many Tibetan Buddhist masters will teach this mantra as a practice method to prolong life and eliminate illness.

 

3. **Daily practice and rituals**:

In the daily practice of Tibetan Buddhism, the Amitabha mantra is widely used in chanting, meditation, fire offerings, and salvation rituals. Especially in the rituals of salvation for the dead, this mantra is believed to guide the dead to the Pure Land of Bliss, reflecting the compassionate vows of Amitabha.

 

4. **Cross-lineage universality**:

The Amitabha mantra has an important position in the four major sects of Tibetan Buddhism (Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug), especially in the Pure Land practice of the Nyingma and Gelug sects. Many masters incorporate it into their daily homework, emphasizing its simple but profound blessing power.

 

**The origin of the myth of Amitabha**

The myth of Amitabha mainly comes from Buddhist scriptures, especially the "Infinite Life Sutra", "Amitabha Sutra" and "Contemplation of Infinite Life Sutra", which also have an important influence in Tibetan Buddhism. The following is a summary of the myth of Amitabha:

 

1. **The vow of the monk Dharmazang**:

According to the scriptures, the predecessor of Amitabha was a monk named "Dharmazang", who practiced under the seat of the World-Honored King Buddha countless kalpas ago. The monk Dharmazang made forty-eight great vows, vowing to establish a pure land without suffering and full of happiness, so that all sentient beings can be reborn in this pure land as long as they chant his name or remember his merits.

- The most famous of them is the 18th vow (the vow to be reborn by chanting the Buddha): All sentient beings who sincerely chant the name of Amitabha will be personally led by Amitabha to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss at the time of death.

- After countless kalpas of practice, Dharmazang accumulated immeasurable merits and finally became Amitabha Buddha, realizing his vision of the Pure Land.

 

2. **Establishment of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss**:

Amitabha Buddha's Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is located in the west. It is a pure world without disease, suffering, and scarcity, filled with seven-treasure lotus ponds, lapis lazuli earth, and heavenly music. Sentient beings can quickly practice and attain Bodhi in this Pure Land. In Tibetan Buddhism, the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is regarded as one of the easiest Pure Lands to be reborn in, because Amitabha Buddha's vows particularly emphasize compassion and tolerance.

 

3. **Unique interpretation in Tibetan Buddhism**:

In Tibetan Buddhism, Amitabha Buddha is not only the founder of the Pure Land, but also has close connections with other deities (such as Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and Vajrapani Bodhisattva), together forming the "Three Holy Ones of the West" (Amitabha Buddha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva). In the Tibetan Buddhist tantras, Amitabha is often depicted as a red body, sitting on a lotus throne, holding a lotus or a vase, symbolizing the harmony of compassion and wisdom.

- In addition, Tibetan Buddhism emphasizes the connection between Amitabha and "self-nature light", believing that chanting his mantra can help practitioners realize that the mind is pure and no different from the Buddha.

 

**Presentation in culture and art**

In Tibetan Buddhist thangkas, sculptures and temple murals, Amitabha is often depicted as a red or golden body, sitting on a lotus throne, with his hands in the mudra of concentration or holding a lotus, emitting soft light. His image and mantra often appear in Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheels, pagodas and prayer flags, symbolizing his omnipresent blessing power.

 

**Conclusion**

In Tibetan Buddhism, the Amitabha mantra is the core of Pure Land belief and longevity practice, carrying the vow of Amitabha's compassion and salvation. Its mythological story originated from the 48 great vows of the monk Dharmazang, emphasizing the ideal of infinite light and life and the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. By chanting the mantra, Tibetan Buddhists not only seek purification and liberation, but also establish a deep connection with the compassion and wisdom of Amitabha Buddha. This mantra is simple to chant, but contains profound blessings and is an indispensable part of Tibetan Buddhist practice.