Difference between revisions of "Mani stone"
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[[File:LadakhManiStones.jpg|thumb|250px|Mani stones in Ladakh, India.]] | [[File:LadakhManiStones.jpg|thumb|250px|Mani stones in Ladakh, India.]] | ||
| − | '''Mani stones''' are stone plates, rocks and/or pebbles, inscribed with the six syllabled mantra of [[Avalokiteshvara]] ([[Om mani padme hum]], hence the name "Mani stone"), as a form of prayer in [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. The term Mani stone may also be used in a loose sense to refer to stones on which any [[mantra]] or devotional designs (such as [[ashtamangala]]) are inscribed. Mani stones are intentionally placed along the roadsides and rivers or placed together to form mounds or {{Wiki|cairns}} or sometimes long walls, as an offering to spirits of place or genius loci. Creating and carving mani stones as devotional or intentional process art is a traditional [[sadhana]] of piety to [[yidam]]. Mani stones are a form of devotional [[cintamani]]. | + | '''Mani stones''' are stone plates, rocks and/or pebbles, inscribed with the [[six syllabled]] [[mantra]] of [[Avalokiteshvara]] ([[Om mani padme hum]], hence the [[name]] "Mani stone"), as a [[form]] of [[prayer]] in [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. The term Mani stone may also be used in a loose [[sense]] to refer to stones on which any [[mantra]] or devotional designs (such as [[ashtamangala]]) are inscribed. Mani stones are intentionally placed along the roadsides and [[rivers]] or placed together to [[form]] mounds or {{Wiki|cairns}} or sometimes long walls, as an [[offering]] to [[spirits]] of place or genius loci. Creating and carving mani stones as devotional or intentional process [[art]] is a [[traditional]] [[sadhana]] of piety to [[yidam]]. Mani stones are a [[form]] of devotional [[cintamani]]. |
==Mani walls== | ==Mani walls== | ||
[[File:Mune_wall_col.jpg|thumb|250px|Mani wall in Zanskar.]] | [[File:Mune_wall_col.jpg|thumb|250px|Mani wall in Zanskar.]] | ||
| − | Along the paths of regions under the influence of [[Tibetan Buddhism]] the traveller is often confronted with Mani walls. These stone structures are a compilation intricately carved stone tablets, most with the inscription "[[Om Mani Padme Hum]]" which loosely translates to "Hail to the jewel in the lotus". These walls should be passed or circumvented from the left side, the clockwise direction in which the earth and the universe revolve, according to Buddhist doctrine. | + | Along the [[paths]] of regions under the [[influence]] of [[Tibetan Buddhism]] the traveller is often confronted with Mani walls. These stone structures are a compilation intricately carved stone tablets, most with the inscription "[[Om Mani Padme Hum]]" which loosely translates to "Hail to the [[jewel]] in the [[lotus]]". These walls should be passed or circumvented from the left side, the clockwise [[direction]] in which the [[earth]] and the [[universe]] revolve, according to [[Buddhist doctrine]]. |
| − | They are sometimes close to a [[temple]] or [[chorten]], sometimes completely isolated and range from a few metres to a kilometre long and one to two metres high. They are built of rubble and sand and faced with mani stones engraved in the elegant Tibetan script. | + | They are sometimes close to a [[temple]] or [[chorten]], sometimes completely isolated and range from a few metres to a kilometre long and one to two metres high. They are built of rubble and sand and faced with mani stones engraved in the elegant [[Tibetan]] script. |
| − | ==Nepal == | + | ==[[Nepal]] == |
[[File:Prayer_stones_Nepal.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Prayer stones, Nepal.]] | [[File:Prayer_stones_Nepal.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Prayer stones, Nepal.]] | ||
| − | The same type of Mani stones can be seen in neighbouring Nepal, where Buddhism is also widely practised. Large examples of Mani stones resembling tablets carved out of the sides of rock formations are in locations throughout the Nepali areas of the Himalayas, such as Namche Bazar. Mani stone walls are most numerous in the high country of the Khumbu. The mantra of [[Avalokiteshvara]] is also a common design on [[prayer wheel]]s and prayer flags in Nepal. | + | The same type of Mani stones can be seen in neighbouring [[Nepal]], where [[Buddhism]] is also widely practised. Large examples of Mani stones resembling tablets carved out of the sides of rock formations are in locations throughout the {{Wiki|Nepali}} areas of the [[Himalayas]], such as Namche Bazar. Mani stone walls are most numerous in the high country of the Khumbu. The [[mantra]] of [[Avalokiteshvara]] is also a common design on [[prayer wheel]]s and [[prayer flags]] in [[Nepal]]. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Tibetan Buddhism]] | [[Category:Tibetan Buddhism]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:27, 5 September 2013
Mani stones are stone plates, rocks and/or pebbles, inscribed with the six syllabled mantra of Avalokiteshvara (Om mani padme hum, hence the name "Mani stone"), as a form of prayer in Tibetan Buddhism. The term Mani stone may also be used in a loose sense to refer to stones on which any mantra or devotional designs (such as ashtamangala) are inscribed. Mani stones are intentionally placed along the roadsides and rivers or placed together to form mounds or cairns or sometimes long walls, as an offering to spirits of place or genius loci. Creating and carving mani stones as devotional or intentional process art is a traditional sadhana of piety to yidam. Mani stones are a form of devotional cintamani.
Mani walls
Along the paths of regions under the influence of Tibetan Buddhism the traveller is often confronted with Mani walls. These stone structures are a compilation intricately carved stone tablets, most with the inscription "Om Mani Padme Hum" which loosely translates to "Hail to the jewel in the lotus". These walls should be passed or circumvented from the left side, the clockwise direction in which the earth and the universe revolve, according to Buddhist doctrine.
They are sometimes close to a temple or chorten, sometimes completely isolated and range from a few metres to a kilometre long and one to two metres high. They are built of rubble and sand and faced with mani stones engraved in the elegant Tibetan script.
Nepal
The same type of Mani stones can be seen in neighbouring Nepal, where Buddhism is also widely practised. Large examples of Mani stones resembling tablets carved out of the sides of rock formations are in locations throughout the Nepali areas of the Himalayas, such as Namche Bazar. Mani stone walls are most numerous in the high country of the Khumbu. The mantra of Avalokiteshvara is also a common design on prayer wheels and prayer flags in Nepal.
