The Wheel of Great Compassion (Paperback)

~ Lorne Ladner (Compiler), Lama Zopa Rinpoche (Author)
Key Phrases: prayer wheel practice, bodhisattva naga king, mani wheel, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Great Compassionate One, Transcendent Compassionate-Eyed One (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Wheel of Great Compassion is the first book to provide Western readers with a complete understanding of the prayer wheel — an ancient and mystical practice that has long been popular with Buddhists throughout Tibet and Mongolia for its ability to bless the environment, promote healing, increase compassion, and assist practitioners on their journeys to enlightenment. This book offers a clear description of prayer wheel practice, its meaning and benefits, and its role as an essential ritual and symbol of Tibetan Buddhism. It contains a general introduction to the prayer wheel, photographs and illustrations, six commentaries by Tibetan lamas (including Lama Zopa Rinpoche), and instructions for both prayer wheel construction and proper use.

About the Author

Loren Ladner is a psychologist working in private practice and in community mental health. Director of the Guhyasamaja Center near Washington D.C., he has been involved in teaching about and the construction of prayer wheels since 1991. He lives in Oakton, Virginia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications; 1 edition (January 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0861711742
• ISBN-13: 978-0861711741
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #802,187 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buddhism in motion, April 28, 2005

By	Peter M. Schogol (Lexington, KY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm rather surprised that this book hasn't been reviewed here yet. It's been in print for 4 years; to the best of my knowledge it's the only book in English that deals with prayer wheel practice; and it's an excellent book besides.

Motion has long played a significant role in religion. Consider Whirling Dervishes and their trance-inducing movements, or the intense swaying of Hasidic Jews in prayer, or the worship in dance of the American Shakers. In Buddhism one finds full-body prostrations, ritual hand movements known as mudra, and circumambulations of shrines. Less known because less common is the practice of prayer wheels.

The practice is more than just twirling a rotating wheel. It involves recitation of -- typically -- the mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" while visualizing the light of the thousands of mantras written on reels of paper (or, increasingly, microfilm) reaching out to beings in every state of existence. The wheel itself is only a conveyance for a continual expression of compassion.

THE WHEEL OF GREAT COMPASSION includes the author's own research and thoughts on the practice as well as classic instructions from the pens of eminent Tibetan divines. The book also includes a description of the physical mechanics of the prayer wheel and some thoughts as to how one might make one's own. The book concludes with a sadhana -- a liturgy including visualization -- providing the reader a relatively complete and straightforward way of emptying oneself in service to others.

Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource!, May 12, 2007

By	Nellie Moore "WyseWomen" (WI, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a wonderful book. The book was very helpful to me in detailing the history and roots of the Prayer Wheel. In addition, the details and instructions on how to make your own Prayer Wheel are very helpful. Just having the book close reminds me of the energy of my Prayer Wheel. Thanks for creating such a great resource.

Nellie Moore
[...]

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Wheel of Great Compassion, January 15, 2009

By	David Okada "Tibetan Maven" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book was very helpful to me by providing the details and instructions on how to make your own Prayer Wheel. The upper and lower disc that are placed on the top and bottom of the cylinder portion was informative and especially helpful when taking apart older prayer wheels. I have placed the prayer wheel close to me for the energy and as a reminder to use this daily. Thank you for creating such a great resource.