Wheel of Life at Rinpung Dzong
The Wheel of Life is a traditional representation of the samsaric cycle of existence. The fierce being holding the wheel symbolizes impermanence.
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[3] 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.
Wheel of Life at Rinpung Dzong
The Wheel of Life is a traditional representation of the samsaric cycle of existence. The fierce being holding the wheel symbolizes impermanence.
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[3] 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.