Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

[[Legend]] has it that the [[Buddha]] himself created the first depiction of the ''bhavacakra'', and the [[story]] of how he gave the illustration to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudr%C4%81ya%E1%B9%87a-avad%C4%81na King Rudrāyaṇa] appears in the anthology of Buddhist narratives called the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divyavadana Divyavadana].

[[Legend]] has it that the [[Buddha]] himself created the first depiction of the ''bhavacakra'', and the [[story]] of how he gave the illustration to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudr%C4%81ya%E1%B9%87a-avad%C4%81na King Rudrāyaṇa] appears in the anthology of Buddhist narratives called the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divyavadana Divyavadana].

The bhavacakra is painted on the outside walls of nearly every Tibetan Buddhist temple in Tibet and India. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzongsar_Jamyang_Khyentse_Rinpoche Dzongsar Khyentse] states:

The bhavacakra is painted on the outside walls of nearly every Tibetan Buddhist temple in Tibet and India. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzongsar_Jamyang_Khyentse_Rinpoche Dzongsar Khyentse] states:

:One of the reasons why the ''Wheel of Life'' was painted outside the [[monasteries]] and on the walls (and was really encouraged even by the Buddha himself) is to teach this very profound Buddhist [[philosophy]] of life and [[perception]] to more simple-minded [[farmers]] or cowherds. So these images on the Wheel of Life are just to [[communicate]] to the general [[audience]].

:One of the reasons why the ''Wheel of Life'' was painted outside the [[monasteries]] and on the walls (and was really encouraged even by the Buddha himself) is to teach this very profound Buddhist [[philosophy]] of life and [[perception]] to more simple-minded [[farmers]] or cowherds. So these images on the Wheel of Life are just to [[communicate]] to the general [[audience]].

*1:the Buddhist [[symbol]] of the [[cycle]] of [[birth]], [[death]], and [[reincarnation]].  

*1:the Buddhist [[symbol]] of the [[cycle]] of [[birth]], [[death]], and [[reincarnation]].  

==Description==

==Description==

The '''bhavacakra''' ('''Wheel of Life''') ([[Sanskrit]]; Pali: bhavacakka; Tibetan: srid pa'i 'khor lo) is a symbolic [[representation]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsara_(Buddhism) samsara] (or cyclic existence) found on the outside walls of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Buddhism Tibetan Buddhist] [[temples]] and [[monasteries]] in the Indo-Tibetan region. In the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana_Buddhism Mahayana Buddhist tradition], it is believed that the drawing was designed by the [[Buddha]] himself in order to help ordinary people understand the Buddhist teachings.

The '''bhavacakra''' ('''Wheel of Life''') ([[Sanskrit]]; Pali: bhavacakka; Tibetan: srid pa'i 'khor lo) is a symbolic [[representation]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsara_(Buddhism) samsara] (or cyclic existence) found on the outside walls of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Buddhism Tibetan Buddhist] [[temples]] and [[monasteries]] in the Indo-Tibetan region. In the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana_Buddhism Mahayana Buddhist tradition], it is believed that the drawing was designed by the [[Buddha]] himself in order to help ordinary people understand the Buddhist teachings.

The bhavacakra is popularly referred to as the ''wheel of life''. This term is also translated as wheel of cyclic [[existence]] or wheel of [[becoming]].

The bhavacakra is popularly referred to as the ''wheel of life''. This term is also translated as wheel of cyclic [[existence]] or wheel of [[becoming]].

The [[meanings]] of the main parts of the diagram are:

The [[meanings]] of the main parts of the diagram are:

*1. The images in the hub of the wheel represent the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_poisons_(Buddhism) three poisons] of ignorance, [[attachment]] and aversion.

*1. The images in the hub of the wheel represent the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_poisons_(Buddhism) three poisons] of ignorance, [[attachment]] and aversion.

*2. The second layer represents [[karma]].

*2. The second layer represents [[karma]].

*3. The third layer represents the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_realms#The_Six_Domains six realms of samsara].

*3. The third layer represents the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_realms#The_Six_Domains six realms of samsara].

*4. The fourth layer represents the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_nidanas twelve links of dependent origination].

*4. The fourth layer represents the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_nidanas twelve links of dependent origination].

*5. The fierce figure holding the wheel represents [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impermanence impermanence].

*5. The fierce figure holding the wheel represents [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impermanence impermanence].

*6. The moon above the wheel represents [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana liberation] from samsara or cyclic existence.

*6. The moon above the wheel represents [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana liberation] from samsara or cyclic existence.

*7. The [[Buddha]] pointing to the moon indicates that liberation is possible.

*7. The [[Buddha]] pointing to the moon indicates that liberation is possible.

The fourth and outer layer of the wheel [[symbolizes]] the twelve links of dependent origination; these links indicate how the sources of [[suffering]]—the three poisons and [[karma]]—produce lives within cyclic existence.

The fourth and outer layer of the wheel [[symbolizes]] the twelve links of dependent origination; these links indicate how the sources of [[suffering]]—the three poisons and [[karma]]—produce lives within cyclic existence.

The fierce being holding the wheel represents impermanence; this symbolizes that the entire [[process]] of samsara or cyclic [[existence]] is impermanent, transient, constantly changing. The [[moon]] above the wheel indicates liberation. The Buddha is pointing to the moon, indicating that liberation from samsara is possible.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhavacakra]

The fierce being holding the wheel represents impermanence; this symbolizes that the entire [[process]] of samsara or cyclic [[existence]] is impermanent, transient, constantly changing. The [[moon]] above the wheel indicates liberation. The Buddha is pointing to the moon, indicating that liberation from samsara is possible.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhavacakra]

==See also==

==See also==

*'''''[http://www.buddhanet.net/wheel2.htm Interactive Wheel of Life]'''''

*'''''[https://www.buddhanet.net/wheel2.htm Interactive Wheel of Life]'''''

*'''''[[12:1 Space Levels of the Master Universe|Space Levels of the Master Universe]]'''''

*'''''[[12:1 Space Levels of the Master Universe|Space Levels of the Master Universe]]'''''

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Anthropology]]

[[Category: Anthropology]]