The prayer wheel plays an important role in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Devout believers regard the very act of turning the prayer wheel as the activity of enlightened beings, and regard the mantras written inside the wheel as the Compassion Buddha's holy speech. Prayer wheel practice is said to be of immeasurable benefit to all suffering beings, and sincere use of the prayer wheel can increase compassion, purify negativity, and remove barriers to enlightenment. Yet even Tibetan texts on prayer wheel practice are difficult to find.
Wheel of Great Compassion equips Western readers with everything necessary to understand this unique and powerful practice, including:
* The history of prayer wheel practice and its ancient lineage
* The symbolism of the prayer wheeel and its role in Tibetan rituals
* An explanation of the myriad benefits of prayer wheel practice
* The proper method for constructing and filling a prayer wheel
* A detailed description of the visualization practices and mantras used when turning the wheel.
Wheel of Great Compassion, Lorne Ladner, Wisdom Publications, Paperback, 134 pages, $19.95
Lorne Ladner, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist in private practice near Washington, D.C., and an adjunct faculty member in the counseling program at Argosy University. Dr. Ladner is also center director at the Guhyasamaja Buddhist Center in Northern Virginia. He regularly teaches classes, conducts workshops, and leads meditation retreats.
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part One: Prayer Wheel Practice, Symbolism, and Lineage
Practice: Seeing with Eyes of Compassion
Symbolism: The Radiant Dharma Wheel
Lineage: An Ancient and Mystical Inheritance
Part Two: Tibetan Commentaries on the Prayer Wheel
An Oral Discourse
Benefits of the Six-Syllable Prayer Wheel
Practice and Benefits of the Prayer Wheel
Benefits of the Lotus Wheel
A Short Treatise on Prayer Wheels
Dedication of Merits from Building and Turning Prayer Wheels
Part Three: Diagrams, Pictures, and Instructions
Part Four: A Method for Meditating with the Prayer Wheel
Notes
Bibliography
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