![]() ![]() One can find thangkas with 5 (Devas and Asuras combined) and with 6 worlds (more common today).Īccording to later types of Buddhist belief one can transform into nirvana (the ultimate paradise) from each of these worlds directly. The world of Asuras (semi-gods, titans).Paradise in the meaning of Buddhist religion is "nirvana", the final end to all rebirths and the end of human suffering. But even the good/upper reincarnations are not what we would call paradise. The ones in the lower area are the "bad" ones like "hell" or "animals". The main sections inside the wheel show the different forms of reincarnation/enlightenment. The idea reminds of Christian belief about heaven and hell. The "bad" guys fall down (right side) in direction of a poor reincarnation, whereas the "good" guys rise upwards (left section) to a better reincarnation. The Inner wheel is divided into the white path of bliss on the left and the dark side on the right that shows the path towards hell. The White and the Dark Path - Inner Circle ![]() ![]() These three animals hold themselves at their tails, thus expressing the vicious cycle that these three evils perform. They are also called the "Three Poisons". In the very middle you find the figures of a cock, a serpent and a pig (boar) representing lust, hatred and greed. The teachings of Buddhism are about the suffering in this world and one's own responsibility to improve these conditions and finally overcome the suffering by breaking the continuous cycle of rebirths through nirvana - the state of full enlightenment which ends all suffering. In the Christian religion you find similar images created during the medieval age - paintings or murals in churches showing heaven and hell, and thus trying to 'educate' and 'manipulate' the common people for their religious cause. Basically the subject of 'Wheel of Life' demonstrates the viewer what he has to face in his next state of rebirth if he behaves good or bad in this life. The wheel of life was meant to demonstrate common people the connection of their deeds in their current life to their fates after physical death. Common Tibetans could not read and write in past centuries. But they had also a function to get a religious message across. The Buddhist Wheel of Life is the visual demonstration of the essence of Buddhism, the cycle of rebirths and of karma, the belief that causes and effects are the result of one's own deeds in this life.īuddhist thangkas are meditation paintings. Wheel of Life - a Visual Aid for a Religious Message According to old Buddhist scripts, the historical Buddha Sakyamuni himself gave the instructions how to draw the 'Bhavacakra'. It can be translated as 'Wheel of Life', 'Wheel of Existence', 'Wheel of Rebirth', 'Wheel of Suffering' or 'Wheel of Transformation'. In sanskrit this image of essence of Tibetan Buddhism, held and turned by a dreadful demon (Yama, the god of death?), is called Bhavacakra. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |