Wheel of Life
The wheel of life, also known as the wheel of samsara, can be interpreted on several levels. The six major sections represent the six realms of desire.
The world of hungry ghost
The concept of hungry ghosts refers to entities that are characterised by their insatiable hunger, often depicted with extremely thin necks that prevent them from consuming food. This imagery symbolises a profound sense of deprivation. In many cultural interpretations, the rebirth as a hungry ghost is often a consequence of negative traits such as greed and jealousy. Psychologically, the notion of hungry ghosts is linked to issues like addictions, compulsions, and obsessive behaviours. Individuals who seem to have everything yet still crave more are often viewed as embodying the hungry ghost archetype, highlighting a persistent sense of dissatisfaction despite external achievements.
The hell
Hell is characterised by feelings of anger, terror, and claustrophobia. It is depicted as a place that is partly on fire and partly covered in ice. In the fiery part, known as Narksas, the souls are subjected to pain and torment, while in the icy part, they are frozen.
The world of animals (Tiryakas) is solid, orderly, and predictable. They hold tightly to the familiar, showing a marked disinterest, if not fear, towards anything new or unknown. This animal's existence is characterised by ignorance and complacency, as these beings are largely uncurious and tend to shy away from unfamiliar experiences. They navigate life by seeking comfort and avoiding discomfort, lacking a sense of humour in the process. The world of the humans
The human realm is considered the most conducive environment for achieving liberation and practising Dharma. While characterised by curiosity and passion, this realm also presents challenges such as hunger, thirst, and separation, leading to suffering from illness, ageing, and death. Despite these hardships, humans have access to Buddhist teachings, offering opportunities to transcend the cycle of life and death and reach Nirvana. The historical Buddha symbolises this potential for transformation.
The world of gods
The world of the gods is associated with pleasure and an illusion of eternal happiness, but it is not perfect. The gods often ignore the suffering of others and lack the drive to seek liberation from the Wheel of Life. Their joy is fleeting, as they eventually face rebirth in less favourable realms.
Additionally, life among the gods is risky; feelings of pride and vanity can lead to a fall back into lower realms, highlighting the delicate balance between happiness and suffering that exists in all forms of existence.
The realm of demi-gods
The beings in this realm are marked by hyper-competitiveness and paranoia, wielding significant power and resources in their ongoing battle with the gods. Central to their conflict is the Tree of Desire, with its roots in the Titans' domain and its fruitful canopy in the gods' territory. Their jealousy fuels this struggle, trapping them in Samsara, the cycle of rebirth. The Buddha serves as a reminder of their predicament and the need for liberation.
Hand-painted in Nepal.
The natural pigment painting measures 27 Inches by 19 Inches, with an additional silk Thangka bordering it.
The wheel of life, also known as the wheel of samsara, can be interpreted on several levels. The six major sections represent the six realms of desire.
The world of hungry ghost
The concept of hungry ghosts refers to entities that are characterised by their insatiable hunger, often depicted with extremely thin necks that prevent them from consuming food. This imagery symbolises a profound sense of deprivation. In many cultural interpretations, the rebirth as a hungry ghost is often a consequence of negative traits such as greed and jealousy. Psychologically, the notion of hungry ghosts is linked to issues like addictions, compulsions, and obsessive behaviours. Individuals who seem to have everything yet still crave more are often viewed as embodying the hungry ghost archetype, highlighting a persistent sense of dissatisfaction despite external achievements.
The hell
Hell is characterised by feelings of anger, terror, and claustrophobia. It is depicted as a place that is partly on fire and partly covered in ice. In the fiery part, known as Narksas, the souls are subjected to pain and torment, while in the icy part, they are frozen.
The world of animals (Tiryakas) is solid, orderly, and predictable. They hold tightly to the familiar, showing a marked disinterest, if not fear, towards anything new or unknown. This animal's existence is characterised by ignorance and complacency, as these beings are largely uncurious and tend to shy away from unfamiliar experiences. They navigate life by seeking comfort and avoiding discomfort, lacking a sense of humour in the process. The world of the humans
The human realm is considered the most conducive environment for achieving liberation and practising Dharma. While characterised by curiosity and passion, this realm also presents challenges such as hunger, thirst, and separation, leading to suffering from illness, ageing, and death. Despite these hardships, humans have access to Buddhist teachings, offering opportunities to transcend the cycle of life and death and reach Nirvana. The historical Buddha symbolises this potential for transformation.
The world of gods
The world of the gods is associated with pleasure and an illusion of eternal happiness, but it is not perfect. The gods often ignore the suffering of others and lack the drive to seek liberation from the Wheel of Life. Their joy is fleeting, as they eventually face rebirth in less favourable realms.
Additionally, life among the gods is risky; feelings of pride and vanity can lead to a fall back into lower realms, highlighting the delicate balance between happiness and suffering that exists in all forms of existence.
The realm of demi-gods
The beings in this realm are marked by hyper-competitiveness and paranoia, wielding significant power and resources in their ongoing battle with the gods. Central to their conflict is the Tree of Desire, with its roots in the Titans' domain and its fruitful canopy in the gods' territory. Their jealousy fuels this struggle, trapping them in Samsara, the cycle of rebirth. The Buddha serves as a reminder of their predicament and the need for liberation.
Hand-painted in Nepal.
The natural pigment painting measures 27 Inches by 19 Inches, with an additional silk Thangka bordering it.
The wheel of life, also known as the wheel of samsara, can be interpreted on several levels. The six major sections represent the six realms of desire.
The world of hungry ghost
The concept of hungry ghosts refers to entities that are characterised by their insatiable hunger, often depicted with extremely thin necks that prevent them from consuming food. This imagery symbolises a profound sense of deprivation. In many cultural interpretations, the rebirth as a hungry ghost is often a consequence of negative traits such as greed and jealousy. Psychologically, the notion of hungry ghosts is linked to issues like addictions, compulsions, and obsessive behaviours. Individuals who seem to have everything yet still crave more are often viewed as embodying the hungry ghost archetype, highlighting a persistent sense of dissatisfaction despite external achievements.
The hell
Hell is characterised by feelings of anger, terror, and claustrophobia. It is depicted as a place that is partly on fire and partly covered in ice. In the fiery part, known as Narksas, the souls are subjected to pain and torment, while in the icy part, they are frozen.
The world of animals (Tiryakas) is solid, orderly, and predictable. They hold tightly to the familiar, showing a marked disinterest, if not fear, towards anything new or unknown. This animal's existence is characterised by ignorance and complacency, as these beings are largely uncurious and tend to shy away from unfamiliar experiences. They navigate life by seeking comfort and avoiding discomfort, lacking a sense of humour in the process. The world of the humans
The human realm is considered the most conducive environment for achieving liberation and practising Dharma. While characterised by curiosity and passion, this realm also presents challenges such as hunger, thirst, and separation, leading to suffering from illness, ageing, and death. Despite these hardships, humans have access to Buddhist teachings, offering opportunities to transcend the cycle of life and death and reach Nirvana. The historical Buddha symbolises this potential for transformation.
The world of gods
The world of the gods is associated with pleasure and an illusion of eternal happiness, but it is not perfect. The gods often ignore the suffering of others and lack the drive to seek liberation from the Wheel of Life. Their joy is fleeting, as they eventually face rebirth in less favourable realms.
Additionally, life among the gods is risky; feelings of pride and vanity can lead to a fall back into lower realms, highlighting the delicate balance between happiness and suffering that exists in all forms of existence.
The realm of demi-gods
The beings in this realm are marked by hyper-competitiveness and paranoia, wielding significant power and resources in their ongoing battle with the gods. Central to their conflict is the Tree of Desire, with its roots in the Titans' domain and its fruitful canopy in the gods' territory. Their jealousy fuels this struggle, trapping them in Samsara, the cycle of rebirth. The Buddha serves as a reminder of their predicament and the need for liberation.
Hand-painted in Nepal.
The natural pigment painting measures 27 Inches by 19 Inches, with an additional silk Thangka bordering it.