6/22/2023 0 Comments Thangka wheel of life![]() ![]() Grasping – a man or a monkey picking fruitīecoming or existence – a couple engaged in intercourse, a standing, leaping, or reflective personĪt the top right of the painting is the paradise of Amitabha. eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind) – a dwelling with six windowsĬontact or touch – lovers consorting, kissing, or entwinedĭesire, craving, thirst – a drinker receiving drink Volitional action or conditioning – a potter shaping a vessel or vesselsĬonsciousness – a man or a monkey grasping a fruit ignorance – a blind person, often walking, or a person peering out.The twelve causal links, paired with their common visual representations, are: The outer rim of the wheel is divided into twelve sections that represent the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination. There are actually eighteen different types of hells, each inflicting a different kind of torment. Hell realm: hell beings endure unimaginable suffering for eons of time.Hungry ghosts have huge bellies and long thin necks. Hungry ghost realm: hungry ghosts suffer from extreme hunger and thirst.Domestic animals suffer from being exploited by humans. Animal realm: wild animals suffer from being attacked and eaten by other animals.Human realm: The human realm is considered to be the most suitable realm for practicing the dharma, because humans are not completely distracted by pleasure (like the gods or demi-gods) or by pain and suffering (like the beings in the lower realms).Demi-god realm: the demi-gods have pleasure and abundance almost as much as the gods, but they suffer from competitiveness and ambition as they strive for the realization of their desires.God realm: the gods lead long and enjoyable lives full of pleasure and abundance, but they spend their lives pursuing meaningless distractions and never think to practice the dharma.These six realms can be divided into three higher realms and three lower realms. The other half-circle (usually dark) shows people in a miserable state being led downwards to lower states, possibly to the lower realms. One half-circle (usually light) shows contented people moving upwards to higher states, possibly to the higher realms. The second layer of the wheel shows two-half circles: These three creatures chase and bite each others tails, giving rise to the endless cycle or becoming. The particular bird used in this diagram represents an Indian bird that is very attached to its partner. The bird represents attachment (also translated as desire or clinging). The snake represents aversion or anger this is because it will be aroused and strike at the slightest touch. The pig stands for ignorance this comparison is based on the Indian concept of a pig being the most foolish of animals, since it sleeps in the dirtiest places and eats whatever comes to its mouth. In the hub of the wheel are three animals: a pig, a snake, and a bird. The meaning is that the entire process of cyclic existence (samsara) is transient everything within this wheel is constantly changing. This figure is often depicted as Yama, the lord of death. The wheel is being held by a fearsome figure who represents impermanence. The Figure Holding the Wheel: Impermanence In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, it is believed that the drawing was designed by the Buddha himself in order to help ordinary people understand the Buddhist teachings. The Wheel of Life (called the Bhavachakra in Sanskrit) represents the cycle of birth and rebirth and existence in samsara. One popular subject is The Wheel of Life, which is a visual representation of the Abhidharma teachings (Art of Enlightenment). Thangka served as important teaching tools depicting the life of the Buddha, various influential lamas and other deities and bodhisattvas. ![]()
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