Wheel of Life overview The Bhavachakra, the Wheel of Life or Wheel of Becoming, is a mandala – a complex picture representing the Buddhist view of the universe. To Buddhists, existence is a cycle of life, death, rebirth and suffering that they seek to escape altogether.
What does the wheel of life teach Buddhists?
The wheel of life, also known as The Bhavachakra, is a symbolic representation of the cycle of existence that Buddhists believe in. Buddhists believe in the continuous cycle of birth, life, death. They believe that you can only be liberated from this cycle of rebirth when enlightenment is reached.
How many realms are there in the Tibetan wheel of life?
The rich iconography of the Wheel of Life can be interpreted on several levels. The six major sections represent the Six Realms. These realms can be understood as forms of existence, or states of mind, into which beings are born according to their karma.
What is the meaning of the Buddhist wheel?
The circle, the round shape of the wheel, represents the perfection of the dharma, the Buddha’s teaching. The rim of the wheel represents meditative concentration and mindfulness, which hold practice together.
What are the six realms in the wheel of life?
Buddhist cosmology typically identifies six realms of rebirth and existence: gods, demi-gods, humans, animals, hungry ghosts and hells.
