Buddhist Wheel Of Life || Cyclic existence ||EP-001 || English

Описание: Buddhist Wheel Of Life # Cyclic existence
EP-001

#Buddhism and Inspiration #EP-001

#Buddhist Wheel of Life
The Sanskrit term for the Wheel of Life is Bhavachakra, and in Pāli, it is Bhavachakka. In Tibetan, it is called Sitpa Khorlo.

#The Wheel of Life is a visual teaching aid and meditation tool that symbolically represents saṃsāra (or cyclic existence).

#Origin of the Wheel of Life
The depiction of the Wheel of Life originated during the time of the Buddha. When King Bimbisara of the central region could not find a precious gift for King Udayana of the frontier region, he sought advice from the Buddha. In his compassion, the Buddha created and bestowed this Wheel of Life as an easily understandable illustration.

Through this Wheel of Life, the Buddha conveys the Four Noble Truths and the concept of Impermanence. He also explains the Three Poisons—Ignorance, Attachment, and Aversion—as well as the principles of Karma and Interdependent Origination in great detail.
Additionally, at the request of Princess Mukthālatā of Singhala, the Buddha granted the Wheel of Life as an object of devotional practice, as extensively explained in the Lalitavistara Sutra.
When King Udayana and Princess Mukthālatā meditated on this Wheel of Life illustration, which fully embodied the meaning of the Four Noble Truths, they directly realized its significance and attained the Noble Path. It is said that tens of thousands of their followers similarly attained the Noble Path.

From that time until today, the tradition of painting the Wheel of Life on the entrance walls of monasteries has continued. The purpose of painting it at the entrances of monasteries and temple courtyards is to remind monks of the Four Noble Truths when they gather in the assembly hall.

#Wheel of Life: Bhavachakra

Elements of the Bhavachakra

The Bhavachakra consists of the following elements:
The pig, rooster, and snake in the hub of the wheel represent the three poisons: ignorance, attachment, and aversion.

The pig symbolizes ignorance.

The rooster represents attachment (also translated as desire or clinging).

The snake represents aversion or anger.


#Symbolism of the Four Layers

Moving from the center outward, the three inner circles illustrate how the three poisons give rise to karma (actions and their results), which, in turn, leads to the six realms representing different types of suffering in saṃsāra.

1. Second Layer: Represents karma with two halves:

A black path showing a person descending, symbolizing the results of negative actions.

A white path showing a person ascending, representing the results of positive actions.

2. Third Layer: Represents saṃsāra, showing the Six Realms of Transitory Beings.

3. Fourth Layer (Outermost): Represents the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination.

4. The fierce figure holding the wheel is Yama, the Lord of Death, symbolizing impermanence.

5. The Buddha pointing to the moon represents liberation from suffering.

6. The moon above the wheel symbolizes freedom from cyclic existence (saṃsāra).


Third Layer: The Six Realms of Migratory Being.
The third layer of the wheel is divided into six sections, representing the Six Realms of Saṃsāra, or cyclic existence—the process of cycling through one rebirth after another.
The six realms are divided into three higher realms and three lower realms.


The Three Higher Realms

1. God Realm (Deva):


2. Demi-God Realm (Asura):

3. Human Realm (Manuṣya):

Humans endure hunger, thirst, sickness, old age, and death.
They suffer from unfulfilled desires, separation from loved ones, and hardships.
However, the human realm is considered the most favorable for practicing Dharma.

The Three Lower Realms

4. Animal Realm (Tiryagyoni):


5. Hungry Ghost Realm (Preta):


6. Hell Realm (Naraka):


Outer Rim: The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination

The outer rim of the Wheel is divided into twelve sections, representing the Twelve Nidānas (causal links), explaining how karma operates.

These twelve links function on two levels:

The Twelve Links

1. Avidyā (Ignorance) – A blind person, symbolizing lack of knowledge.

2. Saṃskāra (Volitional Action) – A potter shaping clay.

3. Vijñāna (Consciousness) – A monkey grasping fruit.

4. Nāmarūpa (Mind and Body) – Two men in a boat.

5. Ṣaḍāyatana (Six Senses) – A house with six windows.

6. Sparśa (Contact) – Lovers embracing.

7. Vedanā (Feeling) – An arrow in the eye.

8. Tṛṣṇa (Craving) – A thirsty person drinking.

9. Upādāna (Clinging) – A person picking fruit.

10. Bhava (Becoming) – A pregnant woman.


11. Jāti (Birth) – A woman giving birth.


12. Jarāmaraṇa (Aging & Death) – A corpse being carried away.

By meditating on these links, one understands karma and attains liberation.

The Fourth and Outer Layer: The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination

The stanza reads:
"Make effort and develop renunciation,

Enter into the Buddha's teachings.

Like an elephant crushing a reed hut,

Destroy the forces of death."