Wheel of Life:
Symbolic Representation and Explanation of Cyclic process of life, death and rebirth in Buddhism
Every art is a beautiful piece that exists in different representations in the world. They serve as a cosmic beauty in the universe. As civilization evolved, many people began asking deeper questions on reality of the universe. Some people spread their understanding on evolution of universe, existence of God and meaning of life bringing different religions in different parts of the world. Every religion has embraced the beauty and effectiveness of visual art to represent the reality of samsara, different themes and doctrines within their religion.
During my visit to Rubin Museum of Art, the work of art that I saw the most was of Gods and Goddesses. But what I was attracted the most was the Wheel of Life, which is the symbolic representation and explanation of cyclic process of life, death and rebirth in Buddhism. In the artwork, the depiction of different forms of life inside a circle amazed me and gave an interest to learn its message. The piece of artwork speaks about karma and shows different forms of life including humans stuck in the cycle. Through research, I would like to present the detailed history on the artwork and the meanings it is intended to teach to people through different characters within the wheel.
The artwork of Wheel of Life in Rubin Museum was from 18th Century, Tibet and it was pigmented on cloth. In Sanskrit, the Wheel of Life is called “Bhavacakra” and in Tibetan, “Srid pa Khor lo”. The origin of the art of Wheel of Life appears in the anthology of Buddhist narratives called Divyavadana which reads that “Buddha himself created the first depiction of the Bhavacakra” (“Bhavacakra”). Jeffrey Hopkins also writes that “the diagram is said to be designed by Buddha himself, depicts an inner psychological cosmology that has had great influence throughout Asia. It is much like a map of the world or the periodic table of elements, but it is a map of an internal process and its external effects” (1). In the form of art, the Wheel of Life teaches the profound Buddhist philosophy on the nature of universe and on karma and its effects. Therefore, it is painted outside monasteries and on walls to aware people about their existence and to show the right way to achieve nirvana or end sufferings.
The meaning behind the artwork of wheel of life is described by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the book “Wheel of Life”.
It reads: “At top right, the Buddha is standing with his left hand in a teaching pose and index finger of right hand pointing to a moon. The moon symbolizes liberation. Buddha is indicating that liberation is possible sets an optimistic tone for the whole painting. The wheel shows us to recognize our condition. The twenty-one parts of the diagram address the fundamental question of how and why we are born into self-defeating situations. What motivates virtuous and nonvirtuous actions? What are the various types of lives? What is the chain of causation?” (Jeffrey Hopkins et al, 2)
There are three root afflictions which controls our birth in different forms of life within the wheel of life. The three poisons or the basic problem which are desire, hatred and ignorance are depicted by the image of rooster, snake and pig respectively at the hub of the wheel. In many drawings, snake and rooster are coming out of the pig’s mouth which indicate that greed and hatred depend on ignorance (Jeffrey Hopkins et al, 4). Ignorance is the root cause for every life forms to dwell in the cycle of sufferings. Freeing ignorance shows the right path to nirvana and the rest lies on us whether to follow or not. Hence, the Buddha after enlightenment began teaching his knowledge on the path to nirvana.
The six realms of samsara are also shown in next layer after second layer of wheel which explains virtuous and non-virtuous actions i.e. karma. The six realms are god, demi-god and human realm which are higher realms and hell, animal and hungry realm which are lower realms. Symbolically, the circles moving from center outward show three poisons giving rise to karma and then karma in turn giving rise to six realms, which represents all different sufferings within samsara (“Bhavacakra”). The frightful monster or lord of Death holding the wheel signifies entire process of cyclic existence which is impermanence (Jeffrey Hopkins et al, 4).
This artwork “Wheel of life” illuminates one major philosophical doctrine within Buddhism which is samsara or wheel of birth and death. In Buddhist philosophy, not only human beings take multiple births, but they also take other forms of life depending on their karma. One will float in the circle of samsara repeatedly experiencing birth, disease, cold, hot, aging and death This creates an interconnected web of life and is shown in the art of wheel of life. The three root causes which are greed, hate and delusion operates the cycle of birth and death. In the other hand, non-greed, non-hate and non-delusion helps to free from circle of birth and death (Trusso, 76). That is unless someone achieve nirvana or they circle in this imperfect and impermanent states of rebirth (Trusso, 77).
The interpretation of the Buddhist doctrine on samsara is visually expressed in the form of different life forms inside a circle. The circle of wheel has different layers inside. The wheel is hold by the God of death which also symbolizes impermanence. So, everything that the life forms experience inside circle is impermanent. One of the famous Buddha quote is “Everything changes, nothing remains without change”. Depending on karma, humans can take life forms in other five realms which include hell, hungry, animals, god and demi-god realms. According to Abhidharma literature, Hell beings live in the earth below the ground, animals live in oceans or mostly on earth or in realms of gods or humans, demigods live inside Mount Meru, humans in four continents and eight subcontinents and as for the gods, there are six abodes on the gods of the desire realm (“Six… ”).
There is very much similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism. The doctrine of samsara (three afflictions) in Buddhism can be compared with the samsara view of Hinduism. One is born in countless life forms again and again like animals or others (Trusso, 42). Both Hinduism and Buddhism view human life as the most precious life forms within the samsara. Only the human life has the potential to achieve the goal of liberation from rebirth. The importance of human life is presented in a classic story in the Pali Canon, the ancient text recording which reads, “the earth is totally covered with water and a yoke with single hole floating on the water and there is a blind turtle which come to surface of ocean once every 100 years. Now suppose the chances that the blind turtle would stick his neck into the yoke when it come to the surface” (Masters). This story is to aware and realize the rare opportunity that the humans have got to achieve moksha or nirvana from the worldly sufferings.
Hindus view the inner soul within everyone that is permanent and remains the same. When someone achieve moksha it merges into the ultimate source, Brahman. However, Buddhist believe in Emptiness or “sunyata” which defines the non-self or anatman. All forms in universe is empty. We cannot describe “I” or “self” but we can simply differentiate the body parts. When one realizes the essence of life form that is emptiness, one achieve nirvana. Buddhist believe that every human being from poor to rich can liberate from samsara if he frees his ignorance and do virtuous karma. However, there is a caste system in Hinduism where only Brahmin, the highest caste has the privilege and opportunity to achieve moksha from samsara. Both religion emphasize on the concept of karma which means action. There is a consequence for every action. Both believe that everything we do, even our thoughts and desire shape our life experiences. “The desire for liberation from earthly existence is one of underpinnings of both classical Hinduism and of Buddhism as well” (Trusso, 43).
There are plentiful definitions of religions. Michael H. Barnes in his In the Presence of Mystery states: “Religion is a human response to mystery… not as a deadly emptiness, but somehow as a reality in which lies the meaning of human existence…The response to fullness is religion. In general, religion is a way of relating to mystery as a sacred or divine reality rather than useless or meaningless.” Likewise, Nishitani argues that “religion is the vital personal quest all must face when encountering nihility, which is that which renders meaningless the meaning of life” Moreover, each person must search for true reality in a real way.” The two definitions show connection to the concept of emptiness, karma and samsara in Buddhism. Buddhism is a nontheistic religion which is a religion of wisdom, enlightenment and compassion (Trusso, 73). This definition supports the above both definition of religion where it focuses on ultimate reality and meaning of human existence. Moreover, both definition does not quote on any higher unseen power. Likewise, Buddhism as a nontheistic religion fulfills the both definitions of religion.
In PBS Documentary, The Buddha, Mark Epstein says “his teaching is about opening the blissful nature of reality” and Dalai lama mentions that “Change must come from within and you are your own master”. Hence, it is important to understand that life we have is blissful and joy. And we should free our ignorance to awake and tame our mind so that we can achieve nirvana from the samsara. So, Buddhism is a religion that emphasize on freeing our ignorance to know the true reality or Four Noble Truths and controlling our mind so that we can follow the Noble Eightfold path to liberation. “Everything we do and say is governed by the mind” (Trusso, 75). There is also a quote from Buddha that says “The mind is everything. What you think you become.” These definitions and quotes explains the importance of human’s search to reality and meaning of life. It also helps us to understand the overarching goal of Buddhism which is to achieve nirvana or rescue of mind. Moreover, it teaches to be happy at present and to understand the blissful and impermanent world. The goal of Buddhism corresponds to the goal of religion. Everyone through their religion search to know the nature of reality and to free their sufferings permanently.
To conclude, I am delighted to have seen the “Wheel of life” during the visit to the museum which made me an enthusiastic to understand the message of the artwork. The art presents the worldly sufferings and where the human beings exist within the circle. The project and my research has enlightened me with more knowledge of the Buddhist doctrine on samsara. Moreover, the PBS documentary on Buddha has taught me the life of Buddha from birth to death and his teachings. The important scholars from different parts of the world share their knowledge on Buddha teachings. The comparison between doctrines of Hinduism and Buddhism helped me better understand about both religion. As you learn about a religion, it is also important to compare the view and teachings of that religion to the definition of religion as whole. This is also doing a philosophy which is more important than having a philosophy.
Before my readings on Buddhism and Hinduism, I perceive these two religion as completely different. But I found a lot of similarities. Many people view Hinduism as a religion in India where devotees sacrifice animals to please God and a religion with many God and Goddess. And many people view Buddhism as a religion where man become monk and woman become nun to sacrifice their worldly desire and read Buddha teachings. These were also my views on both religion. I thought Buddhist believe in permanent soul that reincarnates. But after the readings on Emptiness, I learnt the clear distinction between the two religions. It is important to have personal opinions on religions after readings and research. The benefit of research is it teaches you the unknowns and sometimes correct your wrong views and knowledge.
