Traditional Buddhist prayer wheels are common religious objects used in Tibet. A hand held prayer wheel is a hollow cylindrical device attached to a rod handle. The mantra Om Mani Padme Hung is spelled out in relief on the cylinder. Attached to the cylinder is a chain with a lead weight on the end, which helps maintain the rotation when the wheel is spun.

Tibetans use prayer wheels to spread spiritual blessings and invoke good karma in their next life. Simply touching a prayer wheel brings great purification of negative karmas and obscurations. The mantra (prayer) Om Mani Padme Hum is cast around the outside of the wheel and the mudra's meditative movement is attained by spinning the wheel clockwise with wrist movement. Inside the prayer wheel is a scroll with the mantra repeated 50 times. According to myth, spinning the wheel by one revolution will evoke 50 blessing. One can easily attain 1000 blessing per minute by appropriate spinning of the wheel. Tibetan Buddhists believe that saying this mantra, out loud or silently to oneself, invokes the powerful benevolent attention and blessings of Chenrezig, the embodiment of compassion. This religious practice is part of everyday Tibetan life.