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The eight-spoked dharma wheel is a common symbol in Buddhist iconography, representing the collective teachings of Buddha, known as the dharma. It is one of the eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism. The symbol is also known as chakra from the Sanskrit word for "wheel" (not to be confused with the Hindu use of the same word to refer to energy nodes in the body — cf. chakra).
1 Symbolism of the wheel
The symbolism of the dharma wheel is often given as:
- its overall shape is that of a circle, representing the perfection of the dharma teaching
- the hub stands for discipline, which is the essential core of meditation practice
- the eight spokes represent the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism. They are said to have sharp edges to cut through ignorance.
- the rim, which holds the spokes, refers to mindfullness or samadhi which holds everything together.
2 Dharma wheel representing the transmission to different countries
The dharma wheel can also refer to the dissemination of the dharma teaching from country to country. In this sense the dharma wheel began rolling in India, then arrived in China, and then to Korea, etc.
3 Dharma wheel representing the progressive development of Vajrayana Buddhism
Tantric Buddhists also use the term "turning of the dharma wheel" to refer to the progressive development of Buddhism which culminates in their school. According to this image:
- The first turning of the dharma wheel refers to Gautama Buddha's original teaching, in particular the Four Noble Truths which describes the mechanics of attachment, desire, suffering, and liberation via the Eightfold Path.
- The second turning of the dharma wheel refers to the teaching of the Perfection of Wisdom sutra, a foundational text of Mahayana Buddhism.
- The third turning of the dharma wheel refers to the teaching of the Mahavairocana Sutra , a foundational text of Tantric Buddhism.
4 Three Wheels of Dharma
The Doctrine of Three Wheels is Buddha's teaching that the dharma wheel must turn three times for a student to understand the dharma: once for hearing, again for understanding, and finally for internalizing.
5 See also
- Buddhist symbolism
- KalachakraKalachakra is a term used in tantric Buddhism that means time-wheel or time-cycles. The Kalachakra tradition, which is described in the Kalacakra Tantra revolves around the concept of time and cycles: from the cycles of the planets, to the cycles of our b or "Wheel of Time", the Indian philosophy of history repeating itself
- Wheel of LifeIn Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism the Wheel of Life is a symbolic representation of samsara, the continuous cycle of birth, life, death. One is liberated from this endless cycle of rebirth when Enlightenment is achieved, and with this goal, the Awakened i, the process of reincarnation
Symbols
