Wheel of Life

This sector represents actions or karma. Here people are moving upward toward the realms of gods, demi-gods and humans as a result of virtuous actions.

This sector represents actions or karma. Here people are moving downward toward the realms of animals, hungry ghosts and hell beings as a result of non-virtuous actions.

One of the three Higher Realms: This sector represents the realm of gods. Here happiness replaces suffering, but this is a temporary existence. Once their karma is exhausted, gods will leave this realm and return to the cycle of birth, suffering, old age, and death.

One of the three Higher Realms: This is the realm of humans characterized by birth, sickness, old age and death. This state of suffering is caused by human faults (hatred, attachment and delusion) controlling behavior. The human realm is the most important since it is the only one where behavior can be controlled and therefore the path to Enlightnment actualized.

The moon represents liberation. Notice Buddha is pointing toward the moon, suggesting following the Path which he revealed is the source of liberation.

Buddha is pointing toward the moon (symbol of liberation) suggesting that following the Path he revealed is the means to transcend the Ocean of Samsara (the cycle of rebirth, sickness, old age and death) and reach the state of Enlightenment.

One of the three Lower Realms: This is the realm of hungry ghosts, beings with bloated bellies and long skinny necks who are obsessed with their own needs. Humans dictated by greed are relegated to this realm. Here beings are constantly thirsty and hungry. However, their hunger and thirst can never be extinguished because they perceive food and water as pus and blood and are therefore in a constant state of denial and dissatisfaction.

One of the three Lower Realms: This is the realm of hell beings. A world characterized by extremes of heat and cold. This represents the conditions of anger (heat) and cold-hearted hatred (freezing). Beings here are in a state of constant emotional turmoil and are thus tormented as they are tossed back and forth between the extreme states of temperature.

One of the three Lower realms: This is the animal realm. It is characterized by a degree of ignornace and behavior dictated by basal instincts (food, sex, etc.). Beings here are easily exploited and are often used by humans as food, clothing or instruments of work or entertainment. When humans are not present, animals usually live in extreme conditions of either hot (desert) or cold (tundra or ice caps).

One of the three Higher Realms: This is the realm of the demigods. Although the environment is rather tranquil, jealousy is a source of torment. Demigods are in competition with each other, comparing their situation with those around them, usually feeling cheated and deserving of more.

One of the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination: The potter molding pots represents the fact that we shape our own destiny by our actions (karma). Each pot represents a karmic imprint on our consciousness created through our actions, speech or thoughts.

One of the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination: The monkey aimlessly climbing a tree represents the mind (or consciousness) of the ignorant which, similar to the monkey, wanders randomly and out of control.

One of the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination: Consciousness (the preceding link) gives rise to name and form, inseparable spiritual and physical energies which accompany us from one life to the next. They are represented by people in a boat drifting on the stream of life.

One of the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination: From name and form arises the six senses (or sense spheres), as recognized by the Buddha: sight (eye), smell (nose), taste (tongue), hearing (ear) touch (body), and thought (mind). On the Wheel, the senses are represented by a large, empty house. The empty house with its doors and windows represents our developing sensory organs.

One of the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination: From the six senses arises contact with the world (symbolized on the wheel by lovers embracing). Objects are discriminated as either pleasurable, neutral, or unpleasurable due to the interaction of the object, with the senses and conditioned consciousness.

One of the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination: Feelings arise from contact. An arrow piercing the eye is used to represent the strength of feelings, often blinding an individual. Feelings are interpreted as either pleasurable, neutral, or unpleasurable. We avoid the unpleasant and seek the pleasant.

One of the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination: From feelings arises desire or attachment. This is represented by a couple falling in love (or a man drinking alcohol).

One of the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination: A natural, inevitable consequence of any life is aging and death. An old man burdened by a great weight is the graphic representation of this stage. Once death is realized, the beginingless and endless cycle of suffering know as samsara starts yet again. Of course, this would be a pessimistic view if it were not for the fact that the Buddha stands serenely and majestically outside of the Wheel demonstrating that the remedy is in the Path that he set forth.

One of the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination: Arising from sensual contact is birth -- a new life entering the human realm. On the Wheel this is represented by a women giving birth.