A Blog offered by Zhaxi Zhuoma Rinpoche
A Blog offered by Zhaxi Zhuoma Rinpoche
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The Wheel of Life (Bravachakra)

October 27, 2024
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Painting of the "Wheel of Life" at the Holy Vajrasana Temple shows Shakyamuni Buddha pointing the way to Nirvana to beings in all six realms of existence (Samsara): the Hell realms, the ghost realm, the animal realm, the human realm, the realm of asuras or demi-gods, and the heavens. In some references the asuras are included with the gods or devas as one  heavenly realm.
Painting of the “Wheel of Life” at the Holy Vajrasana Temple shows Shakyamuni Buddha pointing the way to Nirvana to beings in all six realms of existence (Samsara): the Hell realms, the ghost realm, the animal realm, the human realm, the realm of asuras or demi-gods, and the heavens. In some references the asuras are included with the gods or devas as one  heavenly realm.

The “Wheel of Life” was discussed in our October 26 class on Lesson 20 of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra when we began considering the twelve links of conditioned origination. This is a revised article posted over five years ago about this original painting of it at the Holy Vajrasana Temple.

Photo of artist installing his painting of the Wheel of Life.
Photo of artist installing his painting of the Wheel of Life at the Holy Vajrasana Temple.

We have a wonderful painting of the Wheel of Life at the temple showing the six realms of existence along with the twelve links of dependent origination, and other basic teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. CLICK for article on this early method of showing the six realms of samsara with a Buddha in each realm pointing to the way out. CLICK for detailed article on the symbolism of this early teaching tool. CLICK for more photos and news article on installation of the painting.

Originally posted June 30, 2020.

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Thus Have I Seen (and Heard) on zhaxizhuoma.org is a blog offered by Zhaxi Zhuoma for English-speaking followers and those interested in the teachings and activities of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Read more about this blog

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Most of the quotes from H.H Dorje Chang Buddha III posted on this blog are from unapproved translations and may contain errors. Likewise the contents of this blog have not been reviewed or approved by the Buddha and should be considered as reference material and not Buddha-dharma.

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