In spite of his appearance, Yama is not evil. The terrible face of Yama, who represents impermanence, peers over the top of the Wheel. The creature holding the Wheel of Life in his hooves is Yama, the wrathful dharmapala who is Lord of the Hell Realm. The Wrathful Dharmapala of Hell Yama, Lord of the Underworld, represents death and holds the wheel in his hooves. Traditionally, the outer wheel depicts a blind man or woman (representing ignorance) potters (formation) a monkey (consciousness) two men in a boat (mind and body) a house with six windows (the senses) an embracing couple (contact) an eye pierced by an arrow (sensation) a person drinking (thirst) a man gathering fruit (grasping) a couple making love (becoming) a woman giving birth (birth) and a man carrying a corpse (death). The outer circle of the Wheel (not shown in detail in this gallery) is the Paticca Samuppada, the Links of Dependent Origination. As you examine the parts of the wheel you might find yourself relating to some of it personally or recognizing people you know as Jealous Gods or Hell Beings or Hungry Ghosts. Many Buddhists understand the Wheel in an allegorical, not literal, way. The gallery also looks at the Buddha figures in the corners and at Yama, the fearsome creature holding the Wheel in his hooves. The main sections are the hub and the six "pie wedges" depicting the Six Realms. This gallery looks at different parts of the Wheel and explains what they mean. ![]() The Wheel of Life (called the Bhavachakra in Sanskrit) represents the cycle of birth and rebirth and existence in samsara. The detailed symbolism of the Wheel can be interpreted on many levels. The Wheel of Life is one of the most common subjects of Buddhist art. ![]() The gallery shows sections of the Wheel and explains them in more detail. From there, those who realize enlightenment find their way out of the Wheel to Nirvana. But liberation is possible only in the human realm. In each of the realms, the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara appears to show the way to liberation from the Wheel. The realms also can be viewed as situations in life or even personality types-hungry ghosts are addicts devas are privileged hell beings have anger issues. These realms can be understood as forms of existence, or states of mind, into which beings are born according to their karma. The six major sections represent the Six Realms. If you would like to register over the phone, please call Aaron at 97.The rich iconography of the Wheel of Life can be interpreted on several levels. Enter your name and click on the “Donate” button. Register: You may register securely online by making a donation using the button below. The suggested donation is $50 but you may offer any amount. You can attend either in person at our center in Carbondale or online.Ĭost: By donation. It also shows the importance our actions have on our existence – or what we like to call Karma.Ĭlasses will be on Thursdays from 7:15 pm to 8:30 pm Mountain Time during the month of February, beginning February 6th and ending on February 27. It depicts and explains the cyclic nature of re-incarnation and the different aspects of our perceived reality. The Wheel of Life can be considered the very essence of the Buddhist philosophy as it offers insights into some of its most important concepts. The Wheel of Life illustrates in a popular way the essence of the Buddhist teachings, the Four Truths: the existence of earthly suffering, its origin and cause, the ending or prevention of misery and the practice path to liberation from suffering. This course focus on the Buddhist Wheel of Life. ![]() Join us for our second series on Buddhism with John Bruna. John Bruna teaching at the Durango Dharma Center
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