The Dharmachakra’s roots trace back to the Buddha’s first sermon, known as the “Turning of the Wheel of Dharma.”
In this seminal teaching, the Buddha outlined the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, setting in motion the core principles of Buddhist philosophy.
With its hub symbolizing discipline and mindfulness, and its spokes representing the Eightfold Path, the Dharmachakra visually represents these foundational teachings.
We uncover its roots in ancient traditions, its various interpretations across Buddhist sects, and its enduring relevance in modern spiritual practices.
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What is Dharma?
“Dharma” encompasses both the cosmic law and order and the teachings of the Buddha. It encompasses laws, duties, rights, conduct, virtues, and ‘the right way of living.’
In Hinduism, dharma is seen as a cosmic law that sustains the order of the universe, and each person’s duty according to their age, caste, and station in life.
In Buddhism, dharma refers to the teachings of the Buddha, as well as the truth about the way things are.
It is about understanding the nature of reality and living in a way that aligns with this understanding, particularly through practices that cultivate insight, compassion, and wisdom.
As the central truth within Buddhist practice, Dharma provides the pathway to enlightenment and liberation from the suffering intrinsic to human existence.
First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma
The “First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma” marks a pivotal moment in Buddhist history.
This event took place at the Deer Park in Sarnath, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after achieving enlightenment.
He introduced the Four Noble Truths, outlining the existence of suffering, its causes, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation—namely, the Noble Eightfold Path.
This initial dissemination of Buddha’s teachings set the wheel of dharma in motion initiating a profound shift in understanding and beginning the spread of Buddhism.
Second Turning of the Wheel of Dharma
The “Second Turning of the Wheel of Dharma” is associated primarily with the Mahayana tradition and took place at Vulture Peak.
During this phase, Buddha emphasized the concept of emptiness and the universal potential for Buddha-nature inherent in all beings.
This turning expanded on the original teachings to include deeper philosophical insights into the nature of reality and existence, suggesting that all phenomena are devoid of inherent existence and interconnected through emptiness.
Third Turning of the Wheel of Dharma
In the “Third Turning of the Wheel of Dharma,” Buddha addressed the nature of consciousness and reality.
This turning, which includes texts such as the Lankavatara Sutra, focuses on the intrinsic awareness or “tathagatagarbha,” which posits that all sentient beings have the seed of Buddhahood.
This phase of the teachings offers a more nuanced understanding of mind and perception, aimed at deepening the spiritual practice and understanding of his followers.
The Dharmachakra as a Symbol of Buddha’s Teachings
Introduced around the time of Buddha’s first sermon at the Deer Park in Sarnath, the Dharmachakra has been a central motif in Buddhism since the 5th century BCE.
This symbol was first used to represent the dissemination of the Buddha’s insights into the nature of suffering, the path to its cessation, and the methods by which enlightenment could be attained.
The design of the Dharmachakra itself—the hub, the rim, and the spokes—serves to illustrate fundamental aspects of the Buddha’s teachings.
The hub symbolizes ethical discipline and mental stability, foundational for meditation and insight.
The rim represents mindfulness, which holds all the practices together and ensures continuity in the practitioner’s journey toward enlightenment.
The spokes, varying in number, signify different teachings: from the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path in its most common eight-spoked form to more complex philosophical concepts in wheels with more spokes.
The Hub
The hub of the Dharma Wheel symbolizes various core aspects of Buddhist teachings, depending on the specific interpretation.
Here are a few common interpretations of what the hub represents:
- The Three Jewels: The hub is sometimes said to represent the Three Jewels or Three Treasures of Buddhism—Buddha (the enlightened one), Dharma (the teachings), and Sangha (the community). These are the three cornerstones of Buddhist practice that followers take refuge in and look towards for guidance on the spiritual path.
- Moral Discipline: The hub can also symbolize the moral discipline required to practice the teachings represented by the spokes. This includes ethical behavior, mental discipline, and the wisdom necessary to understand and implement the Buddha’s teachings effectively.
- Stability and Balance: On a more abstract level, the hub is seen as the axis of the wheel, providing stability and balance. It represents the steadiness and equilibrium needed in one’s practice to stay focused on the path to enlightenment.
The Spokes
- Eight spokes: This is the most common depiction, representing the Noble Eightfold Path, which includes Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
- Ten spokes: These symbolize the ten directions (the eight cardinal and intercardinal directions, plus up and down), representing the Buddha’s teachings spreading to every part of the universe.
- Twelve spokes: This represents the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination, a fundamental concept in Buddhism that explains the chain of causation leading to suffering.
- Twenty-four spokes: This extends the twelve to include both the arising and cessation of each link, illustrating the process of entering into and liberation from the cycle of samsara (rebirth).
- Thirty-one spokes: This reflects ancient Buddhist cosmology, which describes 31 planes of existence that beings can be reborn into, based on their karma.
- Four spokes: This rare form can represent either the Four Noble Truths—the core of Buddha’s teachings—or the four stages of dhyana (meditative absorption), which describe progressive stages of deepening concentration.
The Rim
The rim of the wheel, which holds the spokes together, signifies the element of concentration (samadhi) that is necessary to maintain the mindfulness taught by each spoke.
This illustrates the unity and interdependence of the teachings, suggesting that each aspect of the path is necessary and supported by the others.
Representation in Buddhist Traditions
The Dharmachakra is represented and interpreted in various ways across different Buddhist traditions, including Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.
Each tradition emphasizes different aspects of the Dharma Wheel, reflecting their unique doctrines and practices.
Theravada Buddhism
In Theravada Buddhism, the Dharmachakra often symbolizes the teachings of the Buddha as they were originally set forth in the Pali Canon, the oldest scriptural texts of Buddhism.
The wheel’s representation in this tradition frequently emphasizes the Eightfold Path, with the wheel’s eight spokes symbolically guiding practitioners towards the attainment of Nirvana, the ultimate goal of ending suffering and achieving enlightenment.
The focus is on practical aspects of mindfulness and ethical conduct as direct paths to liberation.
Mahayana Buddhism
In Mahayana Buddhism, the Wheel of Dharma takes on a broader and more expansive interpretation, reflecting the tradition’s wide-ranging teachings and the ideal of the Bodhisattva.
This path emphasizes not only personal enlightenment but also the commitment to aiding all sentient beings in achieving the same spiritual awakening.
The Dharmachakra in Mahayana contexts may be depicted with various numbers of spokes, each representing the diverse practices and advanced teachings upheld by this tradition.
Among the texts often symbolized by the Dharmachakra in Mahayana are the Perfection of Wisdom (Prajnaparamita) scriptures, which delve deeply into the concept of emptiness and the nature of reality.
Additionally, elements from the Lotus Sutra are frequently incorporated, highlighting the universal potential for achieving Buddha-nature that is believed to reside within all beings.
Vajrayana Buddhism
Vajrayana or Tantric Buddhism interprets the Dharmachakra in ways that incorporate various mandalas and symbolic representations.
This tradition might include more elaborate versions of the wheel, featuring intricate designs that signify the layers of cosmic and human consciousness.
The wheel in Vajrayana often goes beyond the physical depiction and is used in visualization practices to help in the transformation of ordinary experiences into enlightened wisdom.
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The Wheel in Motion
The cyclical movement of the wheel also embodies deeper meanings about the nature of existence.
In Buddhism, life is often depicted as a cycle, notably illustrated by the “wheel of samsara” (samsara-chakra) or the “wheel of becoming” (bhava-cakra).
These concepts describe the endless cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth, driven by karma and characterized by suffering and continuous change.
The wheel’s relentless spinning symbolizes how beings are trapped in this cycle due to ignorance, desire, and aversion—the three poisons represented in traditional depictions of the wheel’s hub.
Crucially, this wheel of suffering is not doomed to turn indefinitely.
Buddhism teaches that through diligent practice of the Dharma, as represented by the spokes of the Dharmachakra, individuals can reverse or “turn” the wheel of samsara.
This involves following the Noble Eightfold Path, which leads to the cessation of desires and attachments, the understanding of true nature of phenomena, and ultimately, the achievement of Nirvana—liberation from the cyclical nature of suffering.
Final Thoughts from a Higher View
In moments of doubt or struggle, the dharma wheel reminds us that no state is permanent, and just as the wheel turns, so too can our circumstances and perspectives.
Embracing the teachings symbolized by the Dharmachakra’s spokes can guide us not only towards personal peace but also towards contributing to the harmony of our communities by embodying the virtues it stands for.
The Dharmachakra invites each of us to engage actively with our spiritual journey, urging us to turn the wheel ourselves through mindful living and ethical conduct.
It challenges us to be both students and teachers in our interactions, continuously learning from the world and contributing to it, spinning the wheel of dharma in our own unique ways.
