Tchuchor

Tchu-chor the prayer-mill used by the Buddhist priests in Chinese Tartary. It is constructed in two forms.

(1.) One is a small wheel with flies, which move either by wind or water. On these flies are written prayers, and it is supposed that all the merit of their recitation is conferred upon him that sets the wheel in motion.

(2.) The other is a huge egg-shaped barrel, as large as a hogshead, upon an upright spindle, composed of endless sheets of paper pasted one over the other, and on each sheet is written a different prayer. At the bottom of this pasteboard barrel is a cord, which gives to it a rotary motion. The- lamas make this spin rapidly, and thus acquire the merit of the repetition of all the prayers written on all the papers at every rotation of the barrel. The lamas spend much of their time in plying the tchu-chor by way of interceding for the people. In return they receive from each person a small compensation for their trouble.