1.1.10

The Wheel of Life

Test yourself

The Buddhist Wheel of Life

The Buddhist 'Wheel of Life' is also known as the Bhavachakra. It is often found outside the walls of monasteries in India and Tibet.

Illustrative background for The wheel Illustrative background for The wheel ?? "content

The wheel

  • The wheel represents the Dhamma of the Buddha. Different parts of the wheel represent different aspects.
  • The hub of the wheel represents the three poisons, through a pig, a snake and a bird.
  • The second layer of the wheel represents the concept of Kamma with two half circles - the lower realms and enlightenment.
Illustrative background for The third layerIllustrative background for The third layer ?? "content

The third layer

  • The third layer of the wheel represents the six realms of Samsara (rebirth).
  • Upper:
    • Deva the God realm.
    • Asura the Demi-god realm.
    • Manusya the human realm.
  • Lower:
    • Tiryagyoni the animal realm.
    • Preta the hungry ghost realm.
    • Naraka the Hell realm.
Illustrative background for The outer rim 1Illustrative background for The outer rim 1 ?? "content

The outer rim 1

  • The outer rim represents the twelve links/twelve Nidanas, the stages by which craving gives way to karmic effects.
    • Avidya is the lack of knowledge.
    • Samskara is the construction of karmic formations.
    • Vijana is consciousness.
    • Namarupa is name and form.
    • Sadayatana is six senses.
    • Spara is contact.
Illustrative background for The outer rim 2Illustrative background for The outer rim 2 ?? "content

The outer rim 2

  • The other six links are:
    • Vedana is pain.
    • Trsna (also Tanha) is thirst.
    • Upadana is grasping.
    • Bhava is coming to be.
    • Jati is being born.
    • Jaramarana is old age and death.
Illustrative background for SymbolismIllustrative background for Symbolism ?? "content

Symbolism

  • The figure who holds the wheel represents the impermanence of the world, often seen as the demon Mara.
  • The moon is symbolic of liberation.

Jump to other topics

1Buddhism

1.1Key Beliefs

1.1.1The Dhamma

1.1.2The Five Skandhas

1.1.3Aspects of Human Life

1.1.4The Buddha

1.1.5The Ascetic & Enlightened Life

1.1.6Dhukka

1.1.7Samudaya

1.1.8Nirodha

1.1.9Magga

1.1.10The Wheel of Life

1.1.11End of Topic Test - Buddhism Key Beliefs

1.2Practices

1.2.1Places of Worship

1.2.2Objects of Worship

1.2.3Puja

1.2.4Meditation

1.2.5Death

1.2.6Festivals

1.2.7End of Topic Test - Buddhism Practices

1.3Ethics

1.3.1Kamma

1.3.2Five Moral Precepts

1.3.3End of Topic Test - Buddhism Ethics

2Christianity

2.1Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God

2.1.2The Problem of Evil

2.1.3Monotheism

2.1.4Creation

2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation

2.1.6The Trinity and Creation

2.1.7Afterlife

2.1.8Heaven and Hell

2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs

2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs

2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation

2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human

2.2.3The Crucifixion

2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal

2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension

2.2.6Sin

2.2.7Original Sin

2.2.8Punishment

2.2.9The Means of Salvation

2.2.10Achieving Salvation

2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation

2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation

2.2.13Theories of Salvation

2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.3Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship

2.3.2Prayer

2.3.3Sacrament

2.3.4Baptism

2.3.5Other Sacraments

2.3.6Eucharist

2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations

2.3.8Christmas & Easter

2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals

2.4Community

2.4.1Local Community

2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth

2.4.3Worldwide Church

2.4.4Reconciliation

2.4.5Persecution

2.4.6Caring for Those in Need

2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community

2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices

3Catholicism (Christianity)

3.1Key Beliefs

3.1.1The Trinity

3.1.2Creation

3.1.3Incarnation

3.1.4Redemption

3.1.5Life After Death

3.1.6Heaven and Hell

3.1.7End of Topic Test - Catholic Key Beliefs

3.2The Seven Sacraments

3.2.1Meaning & Significance

3.2.2Baptism

3.2.3Confirmation

3.2.4Reconciliation

3.2.5Anointing of the Sick

3.2.6Marriage

3.2.7Holy Orders

3.2.8The Eucharist

3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Seven Sacraments

3.3Practices

3.3.1Prayer

3.3.2Popular Piety

3.3.3Pilgrimage

3.3.4Pilgrimages HyperLearning

3.3.5Funeral Rites

3.3.6The Duty to Love Our Neighbour

3.3.7Catholic Agencies

3.3.8Catholic Social Teaching

3.3.9Justice

3.3.10War

3.3.11Mission & Evangelism

3.3.12End of Topic Test - Catholic Practices

4Islam

4.1Key Beliefs

4.1.1Oneness of God

4.1.2Six Articles of Faith

4.1.3Five Roots of Usul

4.1.4The Nature of God

4.1.5Angels

4.1.6Freedom

4.1.7Life After Death

4.1.8Human Responsibility

4.1.9End of Topic Test - Muslim Key Beliefs

4.2Authority

4.2.1Prophethood

4.2.2The Holy Books

4.2.3The Imamate

4.2.4End of Topic Test - Muslim Authority

4.3Practices

4.3.1Worship

4.3.2Ten Obligatory Acts

4.3.3Shahadah

4.3.4Salah & Its Significance

4.3.5Mosques

4.3.6Rak'ahs

4.3.7Sawm

4.3.8Zakah

4.3.9Hajj

4.3.10Jihad

4.3.11Festivals & Commemorations

4.3.12End of Topic Test - Muslim Practices

4.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Muslim Practices

5Judaism

5.1Key Beliefs

5.1.1The Nature of God

5.1.2God as One

5.1.3God's Name

5.1.4God as Creator

5.1.5Free Will

5.1.6God as Law Giver and Judge

5.1.7The Divine Presence & Beliefs

5.1.8Role of the Messiah

5.1.9End of Topic Test - Jewish Key Beliefs

5.1.10Exam-Style Questions - Jewish Beliefs

5.2Covenant & The Mitzvot

5.2.1The Promised Land

5.2.2Abraham

5.2.3The Covenant

5.2.4The Covenant at Sinai

5.2.5The Covenant at Sinai 2

5.2.6Key Moral Principles

5.2.7End of Topic Test - Covenant & The Mitzvot

5.3The Synagogue & Worship

5.3.1The Synagogue & Its Importance

5.3.2Public Acts of Worship

5.3.3Shabbat

5.3.4Worship & Law

5.3.5End of Topic Test - Synagogue & Worship

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson

Magga

End of Topic Test - Buddhism Key Beliefs