Dharmachakra or the Wheel of the Law is one of the oldest symbols of Buddhism. It can also depict the Buddha himself.
Buddha is also known as the Wheel Turner i.e. One who sets the new cycle of teachings in motion
The wheel can be divided into three parts, each representing an aspect of Buddhist practice:
The hub represents discipline,
The spokes represent wisdom and
The Rim represents concentration and mindfulness
While the circle or the round shape of the wheel depicts the perfection of Dhamma (or Buddha’s teachings)
The 3 swirling segments in the centre represent the three jewels i.e. Buddha, Dharma and Sangha
At the centre, there may be three shapes swirling together, a yin-yang symbol, a second wheel, or an empty circle
The wheel can be of any colour, but the golden colour is the most common.
A traditional Dharmachakra is a chariot wheel which can be depicted with varying numbers of spokes.
A Dharma Wheel with eight spokes symbolizes the Eight Fold Noble Path. This is the most common form of Dharmachakra.
A Dharma Wheel with ten spokes symbolizes the ten directions
A Dharma Wheel with twelve spokes symbolizes the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination
A Dharma Wheel with 24 symbolizes the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination and the reversing of the Twelve Links (the process of release or free¬dom from samsara).
A 24-spoke dharma wheel is also called an Ashoka Chakra (which is also present in the Flag of India).
When a wheel has four spokes, which is rare, the spokes represent either the Four Noble Truths or the four Dhyanas.
When the Dharmachakra is depicted, supported on a lotus pedestal with two deer on either side, this represents the first sermon of Buddha at the Deer Park in Sarnath after his enlightenment in Bodhgaya.
#Buddhism #Buddhist #dharmachaka
Credits:
File:Dharmachakra with huge statue of Padmasambhava behind. Lake Rewalsar. HP, India.jpg
John Hill, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:Shanti Stupa Dharma Wheel.jpg
Chris Hunkeler, CC BY-SA 2.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:Gautama Buddha first sermon in Sarnath.jpg
AKS.9955, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:Buddha's first sermon at Sarnath. Gandhara.Met.jpg
Ismoon, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:Dvaravati art 21.jpg
Disthan, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:Dharmachakra Guimet-HDR.jpg
Ddalbiez, CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:001 Dhammacakka, 7c, Dwaravati (35252600795).jpg
Photo Dharma from Sadao, Thailand, CC BY 2.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:Pilaster showing a chakra in the Indian Museum, Kolkata 02.jpg
Kritzolina, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:Arrow png image.png
Arrow png image, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:Pinnacle, Kungri Monastery - India.jpg
Prof Ranga Sai, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:Ganzi-monasterio-d35.jpg
Colegota, CC BY-SA 2.5 ES creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:Dharmachakra on Pillar - South Face - West Pillar - South Gateway - Stupa 1 - Sanchi Hill 2013-02-21 4355.JPG
Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:Phyang Monastery 05.jpg
Bernard Gagnon Canon EOS REBEL T4i, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:Iron Dharma Chakra.jpg
Biggest Dharma Chakra, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:MuktinathGold.JPG
Arne Hückelheim, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:352Giebelschmuck 2.jpg
RThiele, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:Buddha in Sarnath Museum (Dhammajak Mutra).jpg
พระมหาเทวประภาส วชิรญาณเมธี (ผู้ถ่าย-ปล่อยสัญญาอนุญาตภาพให้นำไปใช้ได้เพื่อการศึกษาโดยอยู่ภา่ยใต้ cc-by-sa-3.0) ผู้สร้างสรรค์ผลงาน/ส่งข้อมูลเก็บในคลังข้อมูลเสรีวิกิมีเดียคอมมอนส์ - เทวประภาส มากคล้าย, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:Front view of Ashok Satambh Park at topra kalan.jpg
Pankajkukreti03, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
File:Five disciples at Sarnath.jpg
DhJ, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
File:MuktinathGold.JPG
Arne Hückelheim, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons