City - Hailey State - IDAHO Country - United States
About
Showing the Wheel of Dharma at the top (symbolizing the teaching of the Buddha), the umbrella and the fish in the top medallion, and the treasure vase and lotus in the bottom medallion - five of the eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism. The Tibetan scripts reads Om Mani Peme Hung (or Om Mani Padme Hum) which loosely translates as Hail the Jewel in the Heart of the Lotus (i.e. Buddha).
This is one of only four prayer wheels of this type in North America - and the only one to be blessed by the Dalai Lama. The wheel, which is water powered, is filled with over one million written mantras. It is located in the Sawtooth Botanical Garden in the "Garden of Infinite Compassion" which was designed by Martin Mosko, the abbott of Hakubai Temple.
This is beautiful. Like a skilled docent, you have taken the time to reveal the complexity and love behind this object. Thank you for sharing the love, Heidi.
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{K:88111} 10/8/2005