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Dharmacakra 1
Dharmacakra
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The dharmacakra Sanskrit: ; Pli: dhammacakka; Burmese: ([dmse
t]); Chinese: ; pinyin: fln; Standard Tibetan: (chos kyi 'khor lo);
lit. "Wheel of Dharma" or "Wheel of Life") is asymbol that has
represented dharma, the Buddha's teaching of the path to
enlightenment, since the early period ofIndian Buddhism.[1] A
similar symbol is also in use in Jainism.[citation needed] It is
one of the Ashtamangalasymbols.[citation needed]
HistoryThe dharmacakra is one of the oldest known Buddhist
symbols found in Indian art, appearing with the first
survivingpost-Harappan Indian iconography in the time of the
Buddhist king Aoka.[2] It has been used by Buddhist nations asa
symbol ever since. In its simplest form, the Dharmachakra is
recognized globally as a symbol for Buddhism.[3] TheAshoka Chakra
with 24 spokes, appears on the Lion Capital of Sarnath, the
official Emblem of India and isrepresented at the center of the
Flag of India.
Symbolism
A simplified version of the dharmacakra
In Buddhism, according to the Pali Canon (Vinayapitaka,
Khandhaka,Mahavagga, and Dhammacakkappavattanasutta), the number of
spokesof the dharmacakra represent various meanings:
Eight spokes representing the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariya
magga). Eight laws relating to the vicissitude of life or a
reminder to stay
neutral in the face of these eight laws (Attha Loka
Dhamma).[4]
12 spokes representing the twelve laws of dependent
origination(Paticcasamuppda) or the twelve permutations of the four
nobletruths.[5]
24 spokes representing the twelve laws of dependent origination
andthe twelve laws of dependent termination (paticcasamuppda).
31 spokes representing 31 realms of existence (11 realms of
desire,16 realms of form and four realms of formlessness).
In Buddhism, the parts of the dharmacakra also represent: Its
overall shape is that of a circle (cakra), representing the
perfection of the dharma teaching
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Dharmacakra 2
The hub stands for discipline, which is the essential core of
meditation practice The rim, which holds the spokes, refers to
mindfulness or samdhi which holds everything together Each spoke
represents a portion of the Noble Eightfold Path including
Right beliefs Right aspirations Right speech Right conduct Right
livelihood Right effort Right mindfulness Right meditational
attainment
The corresponding mudr, or symbolic hand gesture, is known as
the dharmacakra mudr.The dharmacakra is one of the eight auspicious
symbols of Tibetan Buddhism.According to Hindu religion, Puranas
mentioned that only 24 Rishis wielded the whole power of the
Gayatri Mantra.These 24 rishi in Himalayas are represented through
the 24 letters of Gayatri Mantra. The all the 24 spokes
ofDharmachakra are representation of all these 24 rishi of
Himalayas in which Vishvamitra is first and Yajnavalkya islast who
governs the religion (Dharma).24 Spokes of Dharmachakra according
Hindu religion:1. Love2. Courage3. Patience4. Peacefulness5.
Magnanimity6. Goodness7. Faithfulness8. Gentleness9.
Selflessness10. Self-Control11. Self Sacrifice12. Truthfulness13.
Righteousness14. Justice15. Mercy16. Gracefulness17. Humility18.
Empathy19. Sympathy20.Spiritual Knowledge21. Moral Values22.
Spiritual Wisdom23. The Fear of God
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Dharmacakra 3
24. Faith or Belief or HopeThe dharma wheel can refer to the
dissemination of the dharma teaching from country to country. In
this sense thedharma wheel began rolling in India, carried on to
Central Asia, and then arrived in South East Asia and East
Asia.
Multiple turnings of the Wheel
Gankyil
Mahayana schools classify Buddhist teachings in turns of a
sequentialscheme of development. These phases are called "turnings"
of thedharmacakra (Sanskrit: dharmacakra-pravartana).
All Buddhists agree that the original turning of the wheel
occurredwhen the Buddha taught the five ascetics who became his
firstdisciples at the Deer Park in Sarnath. In memory of this,
theDharmacakra is sometimes represented with a deer on each
side.
In Theravda Buddhism, this was the only "turning of the wheel",
andlater developments of the Buddhist doctrine which do not appear
in thePali Canon or the Agamas are not accepted as teachings of
thehistorical Buddha.
Other schools of Buddhism, such as the Mahyna and
Vajraynadistinguish later "turnings". Specific accounts of them
vary. In one, thefirst turning of the dharmacakra is Gautama
Buddha's original teaching, in particular the Four Noble Truths
whichdescribes the mechanics of attachment, desire, suffering, and
liberation via the Eightfold Path; the second turning isthe
teaching of the Perfection of Wisdom sutra, a foundational text of
Mahayana Buddhism; and the third is theteaching of the
Mahavairocana Sutra, a foundational text of Tantric Buddhism.
In another scheme, the second turning of the dharmacakra is the
Abhidharma, the third is the Mahyna Perfection ofWisdom Sutras, and
the fourth includes both the Yogacara sutras and Tathgatagarbha
sutras.
Other uses In the Unicode computer standard, the Dharmacakra is
called the "Wheel of Dharma" and found in the
eight-spoked form. It is represented as U+2638 (). The coat of
arms of Mongolia includes a dharmacakra together with some other
Buddhist attributes such as the
lotus, cintamani, blue khata and Soyombo. Following the
suggestion of Bhimrao Ambedkar, the Buddhist dharmacakra was used
on the new Flag of India.[6]
The national flag of the former Kingdom of Sikkim in the
Himalayas featured a version of the Dharmacakra. Thai people also
use a yellow flag with a red Dharmacakra as their Buddhist flag.
The Dharmacakra is also the U.S. Armed Forces military chaplain
insignia for Buddhist chaplains. In Jainism, the Dharmacakra is
worshipped as a symbol of the dharma.[citation needed]
Other "cakras" appear in other Indian traditions, e.g. Vishnu's
Sudaranacakra, which is, however, a wheel-shapedweapon and not a
representation of a teaching.
In non-buddhist cultural contexts, an eight-spoked Dharmacakra
resembles a traditional ship's wheel. As anautical emblem, this
image is a common sailor tattoo.
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Dharmacakra 4
The National Flag of India hasthe Ashoka Chakra at its
centerrepresenting all Indian religions
The flag of the former Kingdomof Sikkim featured a version
of
the Dharmacakra
The Dharmacakra flag, symbol ofBuddhism in Thailand
Thammachak(Dharmacakra) Seal,seal of Thammasat
University inThailand, consistingof a Constitution onPhan or
container
with the 12-spokedDharmacakra behind
Dharmacakra for theU.S. Armed Forcesmilitary chaplain
Dharmacakra in Falun GongDharmacakra is translated as Falun in
Chinese, and is therefore the most important thing in Falun Gong
practice. In"The Great Consummation Way of Falun Dafa", Li Hongzhi
explains, "The rotating Law Wheel has the same natureas the
universe and as its miniature. The Buddhist Law Wheel, the Daoist
yin-yang, and everything in theTen-Directional World are reflected
in the Law Wheel. The Law Wheel provides salvation to the
cultivator when itrotates inward (clockwise), since it absorbs a
great amount of energy from the universe and transforms it. The
LawWheel provides salvation to others when rotating outward
(counter-clockwise), for it releases energy that can saveany being
and rectify any abnormal condition; people near the cultivator
benefit."
Notes[1] Albert Grnwedel, Agnes C. Gibson, James
Burgess,Buddhist art in India. Published by Bernard Quaritch, 1901,
page 67: "The wheel
(dharmachakra), as already mentioned, was adopted by Buddha's
disciples as the symbol of his doctrine ..."[2] Albert Grnwedel,
Agnes C. Gibson, James Burgess, Buddhist art in India. Published by
Bernard Quaritch, 1901, page 67: "The wheel
(dharmachakra), as already mentioned, was adopted by Buddha's
disciples as the symbol of his doctrine, and combined with other
symbolsatrident placed above it, etc.stands for him on the
sculptures of the Asoka period."
[3] Hermann Goetz, The art of India: five thousand years of
Indian art. Published by Crown, 1964, page 52: "dharmachakra,
symbol of theBuddhist faith".
[4] http:/ / www. thebuddhism. net/ 2013/ 05/ 09/
the-eight-laws-relating-to-the-vicissitude-of-life/[5] http:/ /
www. accesstoinsight. org/ tipitaka/ sn/ sn56/ sn56. 011. than.
html#fnt-3[6] Christopher S. Queen, Sallie B. King, Engaged
Buddhism: Buddhist liberation movements in Asia. SUNY Press, 1996,
page 27, (http:/ /
books. google. com/ books?id=6ZsTgY1lNNsC& pg=PA27&
dq=dharmachakra+ buddhist+ symbol& lr=#PPA27,M1): "Ambedkar, as
amember of Nehru's first cabinet, proposed the use of the Buddhist
dharmachakra or "wheel of the law" on the new flag of India and
theAshokan lion-capital on the national currency."
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Dharmacakra 5
Further reading Dorothy C. Donath (1971). Buddhism for the West:
Theravda, Mahyna and Vajrayna; a comprehensive
review of Buddhist history, philosophy, and teachings from the
time of the Buddha to the present day. JulianPress.
ISBN0-07-017533-0.
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Article Sources and Contributors 6
Article Sources and ContributorsDharmacakra Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=579912924 Contributors:
1cr malkin, A Ramachandran, Abrarzawed, AjaxSmack, Aleksd,
Aristitleism, Atulsnischal, B9hummingbird hovering, Benevolent56,
Blainster, Blanchardb, BrokenSphere, Brookie, CalicoCatLover,
Carlossuarez46, ChrisGualtieri, Closedmouth, Cminard, Cobaltcigs,
CommonsDelinker,Computer97, CsDix, DTRY, Dakinijones, Dbiel,
Deeptrivia, DocWatson42, Drmies, Ekajati, EraserMMX, Eu.stefan,
Flashywordz, Gantuya eng, Geni, Getaway, GoingBatty,
Gurch,HannibalLecter5, Hanuman Das, Helix84, Hetalialover123,
Hintha, Hybernator, Imc, J04n, John Hill, Johnbod, Jujordan,
KellenK, Kintetsubuffalo, Kungming2, Kwamikagami,
Langdell,Liebeskind, LilHelpa, Lockesdonkey, Lugia2453, MZMcBride,
MaGioZal, Magioladitis, Maleabroad, Melchoir, Mitsube,
Mzilikazi1939, NaiPiak, Ninly, Nnemo, OlEnglish,
Paulbunyon,Pawyilee, Pharaoh of the Wizards, Podzemnik, Pqnelson,
Rahul RJ Jain, Rajkumar.tambe, Ramurf, RandomCritic, Rjwilmsi,
Roncero, Rjagha, Sacca, Saippuakauppias, Shashwat986,
Shravak,Sl77sl, Slightsmile, Smaines, SqueakBox, Squids and Chips,
The Thing That Should Not Be, Thryduulf, Tibetan Prayer, Tsekey,
U304u304, Vanished user 39948282, Vinodh.vinodh, VivekKumar Pandey,
Whitebox, Wikiklrsc, Xinstalker, YURiN, Yopi.pma, Zen Mind, Zero
sharp, , , 127 anonymous edits
Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsFile:Dharma Wheel.svg
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Dharma_Wheel.svg
License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
Contributors:user:Esteban.barahona, user:ShazzImage:Dharma
Wheel.svg Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Dharma_Wheel.svg
License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
Contributors:user:Esteban.barahona, user:ShazzImage:Sam Taeguk.jpg
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Sam_Taeguk.jpg
License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 Contributors:
by nagymanImage:Flag of India.svg Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_India.svg
License: Public Domain Contributors: Anomie, MifterImage:Flag of
Sikkim monarchy.svg Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Sikkim_monarchy.svg
License: Public Domain Contributors: AnonMoos, David Levy,Gmaxwell,
Kintetsubuffalo, Mattes, Nichalp, Roland zh, VIGNERON, Xiengyod, 2
anonymous editsImage:Dharmacakra_flag_(Thailand).svg Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Dharmacakra_flag_(Thailand).svg
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
Contributors:User:XiengyodFile:Emblem of Thammasat University.svg
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Emblem_of_Thammasat_University.svg
License: Public Domain Contributors: Royal ThaiCabinet
PressFile:AFReligion3.jpg Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:AFReligion3.jpg
License: Public Domain Contributors: AnonMoos, BrokenSphere,
Iamdavidtheking, 1anonymous edits
LicenseCreative Commons Attribution-Share Alike
3.0//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
DharmacakraHistorySymbolismMultiple turnings of the WheelOther
usesDharmacakra in Falun Gong
Notes Further reading
License