Buddham Sharanam Gacchami 😇

We felt a mix of excitement and unease when our little boy eagerly wanted to spin the prayer wheels. While he was drawn to them, we gently told him not to touch them, feeling a pang of guilt. This place was sacred, and somewhere in our hearts, we worried that our presence might disrupt the peace of those who came here to pray, not to watch curious visitors.

As we tried to quietly manage our son, an elderly man entered the scene. Our uneasiness grew—were we overstepping? But he met us with the warmest smile and, without hesitation, began spinning each prayer wheel himself. Surprised, we shared our feelings of guilt and hesitation with him. He chuckled softly and said, “Perhaps you were meant to be blessed today. Through your little boy’s eagerness, a higher power allowed the wheels to turn. You have received the blessings of the mantra.”

In that moment, his gentle smile and kind words lifted our guilt, replacing it with a sense of peace and belonging. It was as though his warmth held a deeper message—that blessings sometimes come in ways we least expect, and that sacred moments aren’t just reserved for the devout. We walked away feeling grateful, blessed, and deeply touched by his acceptance, carrying with us a renewed hope and quiet joy.

Later, as we sipped coffee together on the portico, I shared this story with Appa. With a smile, he recalled a similar memory from when I was younger. He recounted a time at Bylakuppe Monastery, where a little monk was lighting butter lamps. I had pestered him endlessly to let me go there, so drawn by the sight of those glowing flames. Finally, the monk, with a warm and patient smile, invited us closer and even encouraged Appa to let me light one of the lamps. Just as the elderly man had taught us today, the young monk’s gesture was a reminder of how welcoming and sacred these moments can be, even for curious visitors. In both memories, we found a sense of shared blessing that transcended words, bound together by kindness, acceptance, and the gentle glow of light.

Prayer wheels in Buddhist monasteries are central to Tibetan and Vajrayana practice. In Buddhist practice, when one cannot recite prayers, simply rotating the prayer wheel, often inscribed with sacred mantras like "Om Mani Padme Hum," is considered equally powerful. This mantra symbolizes compassion, wisdom, and the path to enlightenment. Spinning the wheel releases these blessings into the universe, purifies karma, and helps accumulate merit, allowing devotion even without verbal prayer.