Material: Copper, Cast, Gilded
Dimensions: Approximately 13.5cm in height
Description:
The Dharmachakra, also known as the Dharma Wheel or the Wheel of Dharma, is one of the oldest and most important symbols in Buddhism. It represents not only the Buddha's teachings (Dharma), but also the spread and perfection of those teachings. The following details the role of the Dharmachakra in Buddhist rituals, explaining its origins, stories, and associated symbolic meanings.
Origin and Story of the Dharmachakra
The origins of the Dharmachakra can be traced back to ancient Indian religious traditions, possibly derived from the wheel symbol of Hinduism or Jainism. In Hinduism, the deity Vishnu often wields the wheel as a weapon, symbolizing authority and movement. Buddhism appropriated this symbol and imbued it with new meaning, transforming it into a tool representing the Buddha's teachings.
The most famous story about the Dharmachakra is closely tied to the life of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. According to Buddhist scriptures, after attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, the Buddha initially hesitated to teach his teachings, believing them difficult for the world to understand. However, at the urging of Brahma, he decided to preach. He traveled to Sarnath (located in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India) and delivered his first sermon on the Four Noble Truths (the truth of suffering, the truth of origin, the truth of cessation, and the truth of the path). This sermon is known as the "First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma," symbolizing the beginning of the wheel-like spread of the teachings throughout the world. Sarnath thus became a sacred Buddhist site, and the story also mentions the gathering of deer to listen, symbolizing that the Buddha's teachings were intended not only for humans but for all living beings.
The symbolism of the Dharma wheel further evolved throughout Buddhist history. Mahayana Buddhism holds that the Buddha preached the Dharma three times: the first at Deer Park, where he expounded the Four Noble Truths, laying the foundation for Hinayana Buddhism; the second at Vulture Peak, where he expounded the Perfection of Wisdom, emphasizing Sunyata (emptiness); and the third, where he expounded Buddha Nature, emphasizing the potential of all beings to attain Buddhahood. These three preachings represent the gradual deepening of the teachings, from personal liberation to universal salvation.
Historically, Ashoka the Great of Magadha (c. 304–232 BC) vigorously promoted Buddhism. He erected stone pillars throughout his empire, often topped with carvings of the Dharma Wheel (known as the Ashoka Chakra). Its 24 spokes symbolized the twelve links of dependent origination and their reversal, promoting Buddhist morality and non-violence. These pillars still exist today, and the Ashoka Chakra has become the central motif of the Indian flag, symbolizing the profound influence of Buddhism on Indian culture.
The Symbolism of the Dharma Wheel
The Dharma Wheel's design is rich in symbolism, often depicted as a chariot wheel, often golden in color. Its basic structure consists of a hub, rim, and spokes:
- The wheel (circle): Represents the perfection and completeness of the Buddha's teachings, which are endless and without beginning, symbolizing the cycle of samsara and liberation.
- The hub: Represents the center of moral discipline (sila) or the Three Learnings (sīla, dhamma, and paññā), providing a stable foundation. Sometimes, the hub contains three vortexes, representing the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha) or joy.
- The rim: Represents concentration and mindfulness (samādhi), uniting the teachings.
- The spokes: The number of spokes varies, representing different teachings. The most common is eight, symbolizing the Noble Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. This is the core Buddhist path of practice, leading believers out of the sea of suffering. Other variations include:
- 4 spokes: Represents the Four Noble Truths or the Four Dhyanas.
- 10 spokes: Represents the Ten Directions (all directions).
- 12 spokes: Represents the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination.
- 24 spokes: Represents the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination and their reversals, symbolizing liberation from samsara.
- 31 spokes: Represents the 31 realms of existence in Buddhist cosmology.
The Dharma Wheel is often paired with a male and female deer, symbolizing the union of compassion (Karuna) and wisdom (Prajna), and commemorating the story of Sarnath. The spokes protruding from the rim are sometimes seen as spikes, representing insight piercing ignorance.
The Role of the Dharma Wheel in Buddhist Ritual
In Buddhist ritual, the Dharma Wheel plays a primarily symbolic role, rather than a physical instrument. It represents the transmission and learning of teachings and is often used to remind believers to follow the Dharma. Specifically:
- **Teaching and Transmission Rituals**: Monks often use the metaphor of the "Dharma Wheel" when teaching or imparting precepts, symbolizing the teachings' rolling, adapting to the needs of diverse cultures and sentient beings. In the Kadampa tradition, an annual "Turning the Wheel of Dharma Day" is celebrated, when devotees gather in temples to chant, meditate, and celebrate the Buddha's first sermon. These ceremonies emphasize the global spread of the teachings, from India to Tibet and beyond.
- **Applications in Temples and Art**: The Dharma Wheel is often found in temple architecture, for example, on roofs or doors, sandwiched between a male and female deer. It symbolizes the stages of Highest Yoga Tantra: the male deer represents Great Bliss, the female deer represents Emptiness, and the Dharma Wheel symbolizes the union of these two, leading to the Five Wisdoms of the Buddha. At sacred sites such as Jokhang Monastery in Tibet, statues or murals of the Dharma Wheel serve as decorative ornaments, and devotees circumambulate or worship them as guardians of the teachings. The Dharma wheel atop a temple stupa sometimes contains scriptures, symbolizing the wheel's rotation and the spread of the sacred teachings.
- **Meditation and Daily Ritual**: During meditation rituals, believers may visualize the Dharma wheel, symbolizing the inner transformation of ignorance into wisdom. The Dharma wheel also appears in Buddhist art, flags, and emblems, such as the logo of the Kadampa Publishing House, reminding believers to put the teachings into practice. During celebrations such as Vesak, images of the Dharma wheel are used in decoration to reinforce the commemoration of the Buddha's life.
In short, the Dharma wheel is not only a visual symbol of Buddhism but also a symbol of the living teachings. It has evolved throughout history, from the Buddha's first teachings, to become a source of inspiration for believers seeking liberation in rituals. Through the Dharma wheel, Buddhism emphasizes the dynamic nature of the teachings—the wheel, which constantly rotates, guiding all beings towards awakening.
Attribute : Gold Plated
Size : 13.5cm
