The outer circle of the Wheel (not shown in detail in this gallery) is the Paticca Samuppada, the Links of Dependent Origination. As you examine the parts of the wheel you might find yourself relating to some of it personally or recognizing people you know as Jealous Gods or Hell Beings or Hungry Ghosts. Many Buddhists understand the Wheel in an allegorical, not literal, way. The gallery also looks at the Buddha figures in the corners and at Yama, the fearsome creature holding the Wheel in his hooves. The main sections are the hub and the six "pie wedges" depicting the Six Realms. This gallery looks at different parts of the Wheel and explains what they mean. The Wheel of Life (called the Bhavachakra in Sanskrit) represents the cycle of birth and rebirth and existence in samsara. The detailed symbolism of the Wheel can be interpreted on many levels. The Wheel of Life is one of the most common subjects of Buddhist art. The gallery shows sections of the Wheel and explains them in more detail. From there, those who realize enlightenment find their way out of the Wheel to Nirvana. But liberation is possible only in the human realm. In each of the realms, the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara appears to show the way to liberation from the Wheel. The realms also can be viewed as situations in life or even personality types-hungry ghosts are addicts devas are privileged hell beings have anger issues. These realms can be understood as forms of existence, or states of mind, into which beings are born according to their karma. The six major sections represent the Six Realms. The rich iconography of the Wheel of Life can be interpreted on several levels.
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