The Wheel of Life
Religious Studies A: AQA GCSE Religions, topic 1.1.10
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on The Wheel of Life
Which of the following Nidanas are accurately described?
What is the moon symbolic of on the wheel?