of wheels simply by sliding their hands over each one. They are set in motion by pilgrims who circumambulate the building in a clockwise direction. Powered by other means Water wheels This type of prayer wheel is simply a prayer wheel that is turned by flowing water. The water that is touched by the wheel is said to become blessed and carries its purifying power into all life forms in the oceans and lakes that it feeds into. Fire wheels This wheel is turned by the heat of a candle or electric light. The light emitted from the prayer wheel then purifies the negative karmas of the living beings it touches. Wind wheels This type of wheel is turned by wind. The wind that touches the prayer wheel helps alleviate the negative karma of those it touches. Electric dharma wheels Some prayer wheels are powered by electric motors. , as these electric wheels are sometimes known, contain one thousand copies of the mantra of Chenrezig and many copies of other mantras. The can be accompanied by lights and music if one so chooses. Electricity can certainly be considered similar to the above sources of energy for PW (water, fire, wind). The merit generated by the PW is due to the power of the Dharma Texts and Mantras; not necessarily the "power" which rotates them. These PW turn all day, all night, all through the year. The Lamas and practitioners who build, maintain and pay for the electricity rightly help to generate and dedicate the merit. Gallery See also References Bibliography External links Hand crafted wooden prayer wheels Dharma-haven.org Picture of prayer wheel at Muktinath, plus backgrounds Nyingma Prayer Wheels for World Peace The Internet Prayer Wheel Online Prayer Wheel Buddhist ritual implements Prayer Buddhist religious objects Tibetan culture Tibetan Buddhist practices Tibetan Buddhist ritual implements Tantric practices Articles containing video clips