Turning the Wheel

The Lotus wheels found at the entrance of Tibetan monasteries and institutes are anchored in the earth, spun by hand and called ‘ground wheel’ or ‘earth wheel.’ Likewise, when turned in the heat of the fire, the wheel is called a ‘fire wheel’, if turned in the wind, an ‘air wheel’ and if turned by water, a ‘water wheel.’ In the traditional account, wherever the smoke of the fire of a fire wheel pervades, sentient beings attain Buddhahood. The same happens wherever the wind blows, or wherever water flows. Turned on the ground, all sentient beings dwelling in that place attain enlightenment. With the advent of electricity, it may also be turned by solar energy. Here, a fifth type of wheel, the so-called ‘hand wheel’ is investigated. Held in the right hand and turned by a small movement of the wrist, whoever sees, hears, recalls, or touches that person who is turning (the wheel) will (attain) Buddhahood without taking a long time.