Tibetan Buddhist Wheel of Life~ Samsara Cyclic Existence

Mantra- Extensive Prayer of The Pure Land .
Lama Nyima

The Wheel of Life is a traditional representation of the samsaric cycle of existence.

The diagram, said to be designed by Buddha himself, depicts an inner psychological cosmology that has had great influence throughout Asia. It is much like a map of the world or the periodic table of elements, but it is a map of an internal process and its external effects.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche writes:

It’s quite a popular painting that you can see in front of almost every Buddhist monastery. In fact, some Buddhist scholars believe that the painting existed prior to Buddha’s statues. This is probably the first ever Buddhist symbol that existed...One of the reasons why the Wheel of Life was painted outside the monasteries and on the walls (and was really encouraged even by the Buddha himself) is to teach this very profound Buddhist philosophy of life and perception to more simple-minded farmers or cowherds. So these images on the Wheel of Life are just to communicate to the general audience.

A Brief Explanation of the Diagram

The meanings of the main parts of the diagram are:

The centre of the wheel represents the three poisons.

The second layer represents positive and negative actions, or karma.

The third layer represents the six realms of samsara.

The fourth layer represents the twelve links of interdependent origination.

The monster holding the wheel represents impermanence.

The moon above the wheel represents liberation from the samsaric cycle of existence.

The Buddha pointing to the moon indicates that liberation is possible.

The Dalai Lama writes:

Symbolically [the inner] three circles, moving from the centre outward, show that the three afflictive emotions of desire, hatred, and ignorance give rise to virtuous and non-virtuous actions, which in turn give rise to levels of suffering in cyclic existence. The outer rim symbolizing the twelve links of dependent arising indicates how the sources of suffering—actions and afflictive emotions—produce lives within cyclic existence. The fierce being holding the wheel symbolizes impermanence...The moon [at the top] indicates liberation. The Buddha on the left is pointing to the moon, indicating that liberation that causes one to cross the ocean of suffering of cyclic existence should be actualized.

A Detailed Explanation of the Diagram

Centre of the Wheel: The Three Poisons

The centre of the Wheel of Life, featuring a pig, snake and bird representing ignorance, anger and desire

Ringu Tulku Rinpoche writes:

Tibetans have a traditional painting called the Wheel of Life, which depicts the samsaric cycle of existence. In the centre of this wheel are three animals: a pig, a snake, and a bird. They represent the three poisons. The pig stands for ignorance, although a pig is not necessarily more stupid than other animals. The comparison is based on the Indian concept of a pig being the most foolish of animals, since it always sleeps in the dirtiest places and eats whatever comes to its mouth. Similarly, the snake is identified with anger because it will be aroused and leap up at the slightest touch. The bird represents desire and clinging. In Western publications it is frequently referred to as a cock, but this is not exactly accurate. This particular bird does not exist in Western countries, as far as I know. It is used as a symbol because it is very attached to its partner. These three animals represent the three main mental poisons, which are the core of the Wheel of Life. Stirred by these, the whole cycle of existence evolves. Without them, there is no samsara.

Second Layer: Positive and Negative Actions

The images in this layer vary in different paintings of the wheel. In the image shown here, the two half circles represent positive and negative actions, or karma, that are motivated by the three poisons of ignorance, attachment/desire and aversion/anger.

The half-circle on the right shows positive or virtuous actions. Such actions are the means for attaining lives in the three higher realms of the gods, demi-gods and humans.

The half-circle on the left shows negative or non-virtuous actions. Such actions are the means for attaining lives in the three lower realms of the animals, hungry ghosts and hell-beings.

Third Layer: Six Realms of Samsara

The third layer of the wheel depicts the six realms of samsara.

Fourth Layer: Twelve Links

The fourth layer of the wheel depicts the twelve links of interdependent origination.

The Monster Holding the Wheel: Impermanence

Jeffrey Hopkins writes:

The wheel in the centre of the painting is in the grasp of a frightful monster. This signifies that the entire process of cyclic existence is caught within transience. Everything in our type of life is characterized by impermanence. Whatever is built will fall down, whatever and whoever come together will fall apart.

[ukestudio]

Beauty before me, beauty behind me, beauty beside me . We walk in beauty. A world where breath, life itself a gift, an undeserved miracle for which I am grateful.

[enstigatorofficial]

The cartoons and message here are put together masterfully for full emotive and informative impact.

[Draakie]

I am a non-religious but very spiritual person that finds great joy in finding meaning (beauty) in certain words. I love it how in Sanskrit and some other Eastern languages words go beyond thought, and more towards something on the border of thinking and feeling. I thank you for the upload...and I wish everybody a life of love and wonder 🙏☸

[wavylouii]

Embrace this moment, remember, we are eternal. All of this pain is an illusion

[silvercomet]

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

The gift of Dhamma is no small merit. You have gained a lot by sharing this.

[ooooooooooOoooooooooh]

Thank you from the country where Buddha was born...❤️
From Nepal

[v.k]

🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤ Breath taking, thank you very much. It's an awesome tangka & perfect depiction of the essence of Buddhism. I'm practicing Buddhism, yet every time i watch this or see this image it moves me deeply.. With all our intelligence and knowledge & technology, yet we still suffer so much. Like moths drawn to the flames, most of us live our lives in complete ignorance.

[stargazeronesixseven]

🙏 Thank You So Much for this explanation of the 6 Realms of Samsara & the Key to escape this unending Loop! Many Happy Good Blessings in Return to All Explanators, Good Spiritual Gurus & All Enlightened Beings! 🕯🌷🌿🌍💖🕊

[shaktidevi_mea]

I like this channel ..I pass on teachings and work within the very logical scientific military PTSD, end of life & plant medicine realms. Very different worlds. As a shaman respecting elder traditions passing on world wide shamanism in the story telling Oral tradition to such a diverse clientele and look for wording, specific other perspectives in order to expand my own perspective in order to pass on the sacred knowledge to others, in ways they speak in, they can relate with and therefore embrace. Not just understand instead embrace and use or not ..but expanding their perspectives in deeper balance with individuality & oneness backed by science not dogmas shared with authentic and pure non PC complications..but instead valor and neutrality. (breathe...it's a lot & nothing all in one) anyway, your posts help me do that. As I live my dream. Gratitude

[The_Sword]

Looking at this with wisdom is so different.

[OmVajrapaniHum]

Thank you kindly for sharing this profound essential teaching.

[YY-ugmv]

Im enchanted, beautiful and explanatory.

[brienmaybe.]

To get rid of desire is another desire.

[ykmeng]

Thank you so much.
This is so easy to understand & explained in such a simplified way that is simply brilliant.
Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

[naturalhealingmexico]

Thanks! An explanation very simple, easy and understandable!

[vajravase]

Wonderful! thank you Kenneth for ALL so many great films and mantras. i, my Dharma brothers, sisters and MANY sentient beings have greatly benefited! * ** _/|\_ ** *

[Noct]

May all sentient beings be liberated from samsara

[calmperson]

Om Ah Houm
Many Blessings and Blissful moments for all, equally.
One day soon, people will awaken from their ignorant state(s), and unrelentingly strive towards the blissful moments... through their actions of knowing their "True-Self".
The Ah-Ha Moment is a wonderful tool to utilize... gauging one's ability to reach such states on a willingly way, without attachments/expectations... but allowing it to come in the highest beneficial way(s)...
Yummy Times...

[homegrownhydroponics]

This is the dmt experience put into a drawing 🙏

[yehudahhachassid]

Thank you for this insightful and interesting video on the 6 realms of transmigration. Tuchi Che ! May all beings be happy !