Line 2: |
Line 2: |
| | | |
| ==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]]. |
Line 10: |
Line 10: |
| *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]]. |
Line 16: |
Line 16: |
| 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. |
| | | |
Line 28: |
Line 28: |
| 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== |
| + | *'''''[https://www.buddhanet.net/wheel2.htm Interactive Wheel of Life]''''' |
| + | *'''''[[12:1 Space Levels of the Master Universe|Space Levels of the Master Universe]]''''' |
| [[Category: Religion]] | | [[Category: Religion]] |
| [[Category: Anthropology]] | | [[Category: Anthropology]] |