In Tibetan monasteries and on the sides of trails in Nepal are cylinders that spin on vertical axes.  They are known as prayer wheels.  On them is inscribed the prayer “Om Mani Padme Hum”, which calls for universal peace.  For each revolution that the cylinder spins, the prayer is spoken.  Visitors spin them as they pass by.

Mani Padme is a 9’ tall, 5’ diameter prayer wheel with 32 vertical LED strips in place of the inscription.  When a visitor spins it, complex, abstract images are displayed, making use of the motion and the eye’s persistence-of-vision ability.  Simultaneously, Tibetan chant is played from 4 speakers all facing inward, immersing the visitor in light and sound.

In the day, visitors can spin the cylinder and see a 32-frame animation in a built-in traditional zoetrope.