Home      Discussion      Topics      Dictionary      Almanac
Signup       Login
Dharmacakra

Dharmacakra

Discussion
Ask a question about 'Dharmacakra'
Start a new discussion about 'Dharmacakra'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum
 
Encyclopedia
The Dharmachakra lit. "Wheel of Dharma
Dharma
Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...

" or "Wheel of Life" is a symbol that has represented dharma
Dharma (Buddhism)
Dhamma or Dharma in Buddhism can have the following meanings:* The state of Nature as it is * The Laws of Nature considered collectively....

, the Buddha
Gautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...

's teaching of the path to enlightenment
Bodhi
Bodhi is both a Pāli and Sanskrit word traditionally translated into English with the word "enlightenment", but which means awakened. In Buddhism it is the knowledge possessed by a Buddha into the nature of things...

, since the early period of Indian Buddhism. A similar symbol is also in use in Jainism
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...

. It is one of the Ashtamangala
Ashtamangala
Ashtamangala or Zhaxi Daggyai are a sacred suite of Eight Auspicious Signs endemic to a number of Dharmic Traditions such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. The symbols or 'symbolic attributes' are yidam and teaching tools...

 symbols.

History


The Dharmachakra symbol is represented as a chariot wheel (Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...

 cakram
Chakra
Chakra is a concept originating in Hindu texts, featured in tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its name derives from the Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning" .Chakra is a concept referring to wheel-like vortices...

) with eight or more spokes. It is one of the oldest known Buddhist symbols found in Indian art, appearing with the first surviving post-Harappan Indian iconography in the time of the Buddhist king Aśoka
Ashoka
Ashok Maurya or Ashoka , popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from ca. 269 BC to 232 BC. One of India's greatest emperors, Ashoka reigned over most of present-day India after a number of military conquests...

. The Dharmacakra has been used by all Buddhist nations as a symbol ever since. In its simplest form, the Dharmachakra is recognized globally as a symbol for Buddhism.

Symbolism


In Buddhism—according to the Pali Canon
Pāli Canon
The Pāli Canon is the standard collection of scriptures in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, as preserved in the Pāli language. It is the only completely surviving early Buddhist canon, and one of the first to be written down...

, Vinayapitaka, Khandhaka
Khandhaka
Khandhaka is the second book of the Theravadin Vinaya Pitaka and includes the following two volumes:* Mahavagga:includes accounts of the Buddha's and his great disciples' awakenings, as well as rules for uposatha days and monastic ordination....

, Mahavagga, Dhammacakkappavattanasutta
Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta is traditionally the Buddha's first discourse after he attained Bodhi and Nirvāṇa.-Sources:In the Pali Canon, this sutta is contained in the Sutta Pitaka's Saṃyutta Nikāya, chapter 56 The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (Pali; Dharmacakra Pravartana Sūtra, Sanskrit;...

—number of spokes of the Dharmacakra represent various meanings:
  • 8 spokes representing the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariya magga
    Noble Eightfold Path
    The Noble Eightfold Path , is one of the principal teachings of the Buddha, who described it as the way leading to the cessation of suffering and the achievement of self-awakening. It is used to develop insight into the true nature of phenomena and to eradicate greed, hatred, and delusion...

    )
    .
  • 12 spokes representing the Twelve Laws of Dependent Origination (Paticcasamuppāda).
  • 24 spokes representing the Twelve Laws of Dependent Origination and the Twelve Laws of Dependent Termination (Paticcasamuppāda).
  • 31 spokes representing 31 realms of existence
    Trailõkya
    Trailokya has been translated as "three worlds," "three spheres," "three planes of existence," "three realms" and "three regions."...

     (11 realms of desire, 16 realms of form and 4 realms of formlessness).


In Buddhism, Parts of the Dharmacakra also representing:
  • Its overall shape is that of a circle (cakra), representing the perfection of the dharma teaching
  • The hub stands for discipline, which is the essential core of meditation
    Meditation
    Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....

     practice
  • The rim, which holds the spokes, refers to mindfulness or
    {{otheruses}}
    {{Buddhism|terse=1}}
    The Dharmachakra (
    Sanskrit
    Sanskrit
    Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...

    : धर्मचक्र; Pāli
    Páli
    - External links :* *...

    : Dhammacakka; {{lang-bo|འཀོར་ལོ།}} (chos kyi 'khor lo), {{lang-my|ဓမ္မစကြာ}} (dəməseʔ tɕà); {{zh|c=法輪|p=fălún}}), lit. "Wheel of Dharma
    Dharma
    Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...

    " or "Wheel of Life" is a symbol that has represented dharma
    Dharma (Buddhism)
    Dhamma or Dharma in Buddhism can have the following meanings:* The state of Nature as it is * The Laws of Nature considered collectively....

    , the Buddha
    Gautama Buddha
    Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...

    's teaching of the path to enlightenment
    Bodhi
    Bodhi is both a Pāli and Sanskrit word traditionally translated into English with the word "enlightenment", but which means awakened. In Buddhism it is the knowledge possessed by a Buddha into the nature of things...

    , since the early period of Indian Buddhism. A similar symbol is also in use in Jainism
    Jainism
    Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...

    . It is one of the Ashtamangala
    Ashtamangala
    Ashtamangala or Zhaxi Daggyai are a sacred suite of Eight Auspicious Signs endemic to a number of Dharmic Traditions such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. The symbols or 'symbolic attributes' are yidam and teaching tools...

     symbols.

    History


    The Dharmachakra symbol is represented as a chariot wheel (Sanskrit
    Sanskrit
    Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...

     cakram
    Chakra
    Chakra is a concept originating in Hindu texts, featured in tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its name derives from the Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning" .Chakra is a concept referring to wheel-like vortices...

    ) with eight or more spokes. It is one of the oldest known Buddhist symbols found in Indian art, appearing with the first surviving post-Harappan Indian iconography in the time of the Buddhist king Aśoka
    Ashoka
    Ashok Maurya or Ashoka , popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from ca. 269 BC to 232 BC. One of India's greatest emperors, Ashoka reigned over most of present-day India after a number of military conquests...

    . The Dharmacakra has been used by all Buddhist nations as a symbol ever since. In its simplest form, the Dharmachakra is recognized globally as a symbol for Buddhism.

    Symbolism


    In Buddhism—according to the Pali Canon
    Pāli Canon
    The Pāli Canon is the standard collection of scriptures in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, as preserved in the Pāli language. It is the only completely surviving early Buddhist canon, and one of the first to be written down...

    , Vinayapitaka, Khandhaka
    Khandhaka
    Khandhaka is the second book of the Theravadin Vinaya Pitaka and includes the following two volumes:* Mahavagga:includes accounts of the Buddha's and his great disciples' awakenings, as well as rules for uposatha days and monastic ordination....

    , Mahavagga, Dhammacakkappavattanasutta
    Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
    The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta is traditionally the Buddha's first discourse after he attained Bodhi and Nirvāṇa.-Sources:In the Pali Canon, this sutta is contained in the Sutta Pitaka's Saṃyutta Nikāya, chapter 56 The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (Pali; Dharmacakra Pravartana Sūtra, Sanskrit;...

    —number of spokes of the Dharmacakra represent various meanings:
    • 8 spokes representing the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariya magga
      Noble Eightfold Path
      The Noble Eightfold Path , is one of the principal teachings of the Buddha, who described it as the way leading to the cessation of suffering and the achievement of self-awakening. It is used to develop insight into the true nature of phenomena and to eradicate greed, hatred, and delusion...

      )
      .
    • 12 spokes representing the Twelve Laws of Dependent Origination (Paticcasamuppāda).
    • 24 spokes representing the Twelve Laws of Dependent Origination and the Twelve Laws of Dependent Termination (Paticcasamuppāda).
    • 31 spokes representing 31 realms of existence
      Trailõkya
      Trailokya has been translated as "three worlds," "three spheres," "three planes of existence," "three realms" and "three regions."...

       (11 realms of desire, 16 realms of form and 4 realms of formlessness).


    In Buddhism, Parts of the Dharmacakra also representing:
    • Its overall shape is that of a circle (cakra), representing the perfection of the dharma teaching
    • The hub stands for discipline, which is the essential core of meditation
      Meditation
      Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....

       practice
    • The rim, which holds the spokes, refers to mindfulness or
      {{otheruses}}
      {{Buddhism|terse=1}}
      The Dharmachakra (
      Sanskrit
      Sanskrit
      Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...

      : धर्मचक्र; Pāli
      Páli
      - External links :* *...

      : Dhammacakka; {{lang-bo|འཀོར་ལོ།}} (chos kyi 'khor lo), {{lang-my|ဓမ္မစကြာ}} (dəməseʔ tɕà); {{zh|c=法輪|p=fălún}}), lit. "Wheel of Dharma
      Dharma
      Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...

      " or "Wheel of Life" is a symbol that has represented dharma
      Dharma (Buddhism)
      Dhamma or Dharma in Buddhism can have the following meanings:* The state of Nature as it is * The Laws of Nature considered collectively....

      , the Buddha
      Gautama Buddha
      Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...

      's teaching of the path to enlightenment
      Bodhi
      Bodhi is both a Pāli and Sanskrit word traditionally translated into English with the word "enlightenment", but which means awakened. In Buddhism it is the knowledge possessed by a Buddha into the nature of things...

      , since the early period of Indian Buddhism. A similar symbol is also in use in Jainism
      Jainism
      Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...

      . It is one of the Ashtamangala
      Ashtamangala
      Ashtamangala or Zhaxi Daggyai are a sacred suite of Eight Auspicious Signs endemic to a number of Dharmic Traditions such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. The symbols or 'symbolic attributes' are yidam and teaching tools...

       symbols.

      History


      The Dharmachakra symbol is represented as a chariot wheel (Sanskrit
      Sanskrit
      Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...

       cakram
      Chakra
      Chakra is a concept originating in Hindu texts, featured in tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its name derives from the Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning" .Chakra is a concept referring to wheel-like vortices...

      ) with eight or more spokes. It is one of the oldest known Buddhist symbols found in Indian art, appearing with the first surviving post-Harappan Indian iconography in the time of the Buddhist king Aśoka
      Ashoka
      Ashok Maurya or Ashoka , popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from ca. 269 BC to 232 BC. One of India's greatest emperors, Ashoka reigned over most of present-day India after a number of military conquests...

      . The Dharmacakra has been used by all Buddhist nations as a symbol ever since. In its simplest form, the Dharmachakra is recognized globally as a symbol for Buddhism.

      Symbolism


      In Buddhism—according to the Pali Canon
      Pāli Canon
      The Pāli Canon is the standard collection of scriptures in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, as preserved in the Pāli language. It is the only completely surviving early Buddhist canon, and one of the first to be written down...

      , Vinayapitaka, Khandhaka
      Khandhaka
      Khandhaka is the second book of the Theravadin Vinaya Pitaka and includes the following two volumes:* Mahavagga:includes accounts of the Buddha's and his great disciples' awakenings, as well as rules for uposatha days and monastic ordination....

      , Mahavagga, Dhammacakkappavattanasutta
      Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
      The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta is traditionally the Buddha's first discourse after he attained Bodhi and Nirvāṇa.-Sources:In the Pali Canon, this sutta is contained in the Sutta Pitaka's Saṃyutta Nikāya, chapter 56 The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (Pali; Dharmacakra Pravartana Sūtra, Sanskrit;...

      —number of spokes of the Dharmacakra represent various meanings:
      • 8 spokes representing the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariya magga
        Noble Eightfold Path
        The Noble Eightfold Path , is one of the principal teachings of the Buddha, who described it as the way leading to the cessation of suffering and the achievement of self-awakening. It is used to develop insight into the true nature of phenomena and to eradicate greed, hatred, and delusion...

        )
        .
      • 12 spokes representing the Twelve Laws of Dependent Origination (Paticcasamuppāda).
      • 24 spokes representing the Twelve Laws of Dependent Origination and the Twelve Laws of Dependent Termination (Paticcasamuppāda).
      • 31 spokes representing 31 realms of existence
        Trailõkya
        Trailokya has been translated as "three worlds," "three spheres," "three planes of existence," "three realms" and "three regions."...

         (11 realms of desire, 16 realms of form and 4 realms of formlessness).


      In Buddhism, Parts of the Dharmacakra also representing:
      • Its overall shape is that of a circle (cakra), representing the perfection of the dharma teaching
      • The hub stands for discipline, which is the essential core of meditation
        Meditation
        Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....

         practice
      • The rim, which holds the spokes, refers to mindfulness or {{IAST
        Samadhi (Buddhism)
        In Buddhism, samādhi is mental concentration or composing the mind.-In the early Suttas:In the Pāli canon of the Theravada tradition and the related Āgamas of other early Buddhist schools, samādhi is found in the following contexts:* In the noble eightfold path, "right concentration" In Buddhism,...

        which holds everything together


      The corresponding mudrā
      Mudra
      A mudrā is a symbolic or ritual gesture in Hinduism and Buddhism. While some mudrās involve the entire body, most are performed with the hands and fingers...

      , or symbolic hand gesture, is known as the Dharmacakra Mudrā.

      The Dharmacakra is one of the eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism
      Tibetan Buddhism
      Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...

      .

      The dharma wheel can refer to the dissemination of the dharma teaching from country to country. In this sense the dharma wheel began rolling in India
      India
      India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

      , carried on to Central Asia
      Central Asia
      Central Asia is a core region of the Asian continent from the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north...

      , and then arrived in South East Asia and East Asia
      East Asia
      East Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...

      .

      Multiple turnings of the Wheel



      {{main|Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma}}

      Mahayana schools classify Buddhist teachings in turns of a sequential scheme of development. These phases are called "turnings" of the Dharmacakra ({{lang-sa|dharmacakra-pravartana}}).

      All Buddhists agree that the original turning of the wheel occurred when the Buddha taught the five ascetics who became his first disciples at the Deer Park in Sarnath
      Sarnath
      Sarnath or Sārnātha is the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Sarnath is located 13 kilometres north-east of Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, India...

      . In memory of this, the Dharmacakra is sometimes represented with a deer on each side.

      In Theravāda
      Theravada
      Theravada ; literally, "the Teaching of the Elders" or "the Ancient Teaching", is the oldest surviving Buddhist school. It was founded in India...

       Buddhism, this was the only "turning of the wheel", and later developments of the Buddhist doctrine which do not appear in the Pali Canon
      Pāli Canon
      The Pāli Canon is the standard collection of scriptures in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, as preserved in the Pāli language. It is the only completely surviving early Buddhist canon, and one of the first to be written down...

       or the Agamas are not accepted as teachings of the historical Buddha.

      Other schools of Buddhism, such as the Mahāyāna
      Mahayana
      Mahāyāna is one of the two main existing branches of Buddhism and a term for classification of Buddhist philosophies and practice...

       and Vajrayāna
      Vajrayana
      Vajrayāna Buddhism is also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayāna, Mantrayāna, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and the Diamond Vehicle...

       distinguish later "turnings". Specific accounts of them vary. In one, the first turning of the Dharmacakra is Gautama Buddha
      Gautama Buddha
      Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...

      's original teaching, in particular the Four Noble Truths
      Four Noble Truths
      The Four Noble Truths are an important principle in Buddhism, classically taught by the Buddha in the Dharmacakra Pravartana Sūtra....

       which describes the mechanics of attachment, desire, suffering, and liberation via the Eightfold Path; the second turning is the teaching of the Perfection of Wisdom sutra, a foundational text of Mahayana Buddhism; and the third is the teaching of the Mahavairocana Sutra, a foundational text of Tantric Buddhism.

      In another scheme, the second turning of the Dharmacakra is the Abhidharma
      Abhidharma
      Abhidharma or Abhidhamma are ancient Buddhist texts which contain detailed scholastic and scientific reworkings of doctrinal material appearing in the Buddhist Sutras, according to schematic classifications...

      , the third is the Mahāyāna
      Mahayana
      Mahāyāna is one of the two main existing branches of Buddhism and a term for classification of Buddhist philosophies and practice...

       Perfection of Wisdom Sutras, and the fourth includes both the Yogacara
      Yogacara
      Yogācāra is an influential school of Buddhist philosophy and psychology emphasizing phenomenology and ontology through the interior lens of meditative and yogic practices. It developed within Indian Mahāyāna Buddhism in about the 4th century CE...

       sutras and Tathāgatagarbha sutras.

      Other uses

      • In the Unicode
        Unicode
        Unicode is a computing industry standard for the consistent encoding, representation and handling of text expressed in most of the world's writing systems...

         computer standard, the Dharmacakra is called the "Wheel of Dharma
        Dharma
        Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...

        " and found in the eight-spoked form. It is represented as U+2638 ({{Unicode|☸}}).
      • The coat of arms
        Coat of arms
        A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...

         of Mongolia
        Mongolia
        Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...

         includes a dharmacakra together with some other Buddhist attributes such as the lotus, cintamani, blue khata
        Khata
        A khata, khada, khadag, or hada is a traditional ceremonial scarf common in Tibetan and Mongolian culture. It symbolizes purity and compassion. It is usually made of silk. Tibetan khatas are usually white symbolising the pure heart of the giver, though it is quite common to find yellow gold khatas...

         and Soyombo
        Soyombo symbol
        The Soyombo symbol is a special character out of the Mongolian Soyombo script. It serves as a national symbol of Mongolia, to be found on the Flag of Mongolia, the Coat of arms of Mongolia, and on many other official documents....

        .
      • Following the suggestion of Bhimrao Ambedkar, the Buddhist dharmachakra was used on the new Flag of India
        Flag of India
        The National flag of India is a horizontal rectangular tricolour of deep saffron, white and India green; with the Ashok Chakra, a 24-spoke wheel, in navy blue at its centre. It was adopted in its present form during a meeting of the Constituent Assembly held on 22 July 1947, when it became the...

        .
      • The national flag of the former Kingdom of Sikkim
        Flag of Sikkim
        The national flag of Sikkim consisted of a Buddhist khorlo prayer wheel with the gankyil as the central element.Until 1967, the previous flag showed a very complex design with a fanciful border and religious pictograms surrounding the khorlo....

         in the Himalayas featured a version of the Dharmacakra.
      • Thai people also use a yellow flag with a red Dharmacakra as their buddhist flag
        Buddhist flag
        The Buddhist flag is a flag designed in the late 19th century to symbolise and universally represent Buddhism. It is used by Buddhists throughout the world.-History:...

        .
      • The Dharmacakra is also the U.S. Armed Forces military chaplain
        Chaplain
        Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...

         insignia for Buddhist chaplains.
      • In Jainism
        Jainism
        Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...

        , the Dharmacakra is worshipped as a symbol of the dharma
        Dharma
        Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...

        .
      • Other "cakras" appear in other Indian traditions, e.g. Vishnu
        Vishnu
        Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....

        's {{IAST
        Sudarshana Chakra
        The Sudarshana Chakra is a spinning, disk-like super weapon with 108 serrated edges used by Lord Vishnu. The Sudarshana Chakra is portrayed on the right rear hand of the four hands of Vishnu, who also holds a Shankha in his left rear hand, a Gada in his right fore hand, and a Padma in his left...

        , which is, however, a wheel-shaped weapon and not a representation of a teaching.

      Dharmacakra in Falun Gong


      Dharmacakra is translated as Falun in chinese, and is therefore the most important thing in Falun Gong
      Falun Gong
      Falun Gong is a spiritual discipline first introduced in China in 1992 by its founder, Li Hongzhi, through public lectures. It combines the practice of meditation and slow-moving qigong exercises with the moral philosophy...

       practice. In "The Great Consummation Way of Falun Dafa", Li Hongzhi
      Li Hongzhi
      Li Hongzhi is the founder and spiritual master of Falun Gong , a "system of mind-body cultivation" in the qigong tradition. Li Hongzhi introduced Falun Gong on 13 May 1992 in Changchun, and subsequently gave lectures and taught Falun Gong exercises across China...

       explains,"The Law Wheel (fa-lun) is central to cultivation in Falun Buddha Law. The Law Wheel is an intelligent, rotating entity composed of high-energy matter. The Law Wheel that I plant in a cultivator’s lower abdomen rotates constantly, twenty-four hours a day. (True cultivators can acquire a Law Wheel by reading my books, watching my talks on video, listening to my talks on audiocassette, or studying with Dafa students.) The Law Wheel helps cultivators cultivate automatically. That is, the Law Wheel cultivates cultivators at all times even though they don’t perform the exercises at every moment. Of all the cultivation ways introduced to the world today, this is the only one that has achieved “the Law refines the person.”

      The rotating Law Wheel has the same nature as the universe and is its miniature. The Buddhist Law Wheel, the Daoist yin-yang, and everything in the Ten-Directional World are reflected in the Law Wheel. The Law Wheel provides salvation to the cultivator when it rotates inward (clockwise), since it absorbs a great amount of energy from the universe and transforms it into gong. The Law Wheel provides salvation to others when rotating outward (counter-clockwise), for it releases energy that can save any being and rectify any abnormal condition; people near the cultivator benefit."

      See also


      {{Commonscat}}
      • Ashtamangala
        Ashtamangala
        Ashtamangala or Zhaxi Daggyai are a sacred suite of Eight Auspicious Signs endemic to a number of Dharmic Traditions such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. The symbols or 'symbolic attributes' are yidam and teaching tools...

      • Bhavacakra
        Bhavacakra
        The bhavacakra is a symbolic representation of samsara found on the outside walls of Tibetan Buddhist temples and monasteries in the Indo-Tibet region...

      • Chakravarti
      • Coat of arms of Mongolia
        Coat of arms of Mongolia
        The state emblem of Mongolia is used by the government of Mongolia as its symbol of state. It is officially used for example on documents such as Mongolian passports, and government and embassy placards.- Description :...

      • Coat of arms of Sri Lanka
        Coat of arms of Sri Lanka
        The national emblem of Sri Lanka is used by the Sri Lankan Government in connection with the administration and government of the country. The current emblem has been in use since 1972....

      • Khorlo
        Khorlo
        Khorlo means: 'wheel', 'round', 'mandala', 'chakra', 'samsara'. Khorlo is the lexical item commonly used to denote 'chakra' in Tibetan literature...

      • Prayer wheel
        Prayer wheel
        A prayer wheel is a cylindrical "wheel" on a spindle made from metal, wood, stone, leather or coarse cotton. Traditionally, the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is written in Sanskrit on the outside of the wheel. Also sometimes depicted are Dakinis, Protectors and very often the 8 auspicious symbols...

      • Sun Chariot
      • Surya
        Surya
        Surya Suraya or Phra Athit is the chief solar deity in Hinduism, one of the Adityas, son of Kasyapa and one of his wives, Aditi; of Indra; or of Dyaus Pitar . The term Surya also refers to the Sun, in general. Surya has hair and arms of gold...

      • Sephirot