The Dharmachakra
The Dharmachakra or the 8-spoked wheel is the symbol for Buddha turning
the Wheel of Truth or the Wheel of Law. The word dharma means truth or
law and the word chakra means wheel. It is one of the oldest known
Buddhist symbols.
The story has it that as soon as Buddha achieved the state of
enlightenment, Brahma the Hindu God of Creation asked him to teach.
Brahma, offered him a Dharmachakra and Buddha became the Wheel Turner.
Each time Buddha turns the wheel to begin a new cycle of teachings, he
changes the course of destiny.
The Three Parts of the
Wheel
- The Hub –
represents discipline which is the very foundation of the Buddhist
practice of meditation
- The Rim –
represents concentration or mindfulness, which as a
human trait keeps everything in its proper place, holding everything
together.
- The 8 Spokes
– represent the Eight-fold Noble Path to achieving
wisdom, that of having the right beliefs, aspirations, speech, conduct
, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and meditational attainment.
The overall circular shape in itself represents the perfection of the
dharma teachings. The three segments in the center each stand for
Buddha, Dharma (the teachings of the truth or law) and Sangha, the
spiritual community.
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