Hand-Painted Wheel of Life Thangka Painting - Tibetan Mandala Art

This is an original, hand-painted The Wheel of Life (Samsara/Bhavacakra) Mandala Thangka painting. The Wheel of Life, also known as the Bhavacakra or Samsara chakra, is recognized by Buddhist monks as a powerful meditation tool and by students as a means to learn and understand the teachings of the Buddha. The Wheel represents the very reasons for the suffering of our mortal form, through both horrific and sublime imagery, and it can be seen painted on the walls of many Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in all Himalayan regions. It is a metaphysical diagram composed of four concentric circles, held in place by Yama, the Lord of Death. Above the Wheel, the sky with clouds or stars is a symbol of freedom from cyclic existence or Samsara, and the Buddha pointing at it indicates that liberation is possible. In the center of the Wheel, there are three animal symbols of the “Three Poisons”: ignorance (the pig), attachment (the bird), and anger (the snake)—Buddhist Teachings. The snake and bird are shown as coming out of the mouth of the pig, indicating that anger and attachment arise from ignorance. At the same time, the snake and the bird grasp the tail of the pig, suggesting that they both promote even greater ignorance. Next to the central circle is the second layer, divided into two half-circles: one light-colored and the other usually dark.

These images represent the Wheel of Karma, the law of cause and effect. The darker portion shows individuals experiencing the results of negative actions. The light half circle, instead,
indicates people experiencing the results of positive actions and attaining spiritual ascension. Beyond this layer lies a broader area, divided into six parts, each depicting a distinct realm of Samsara. These six realms constitute all possible states of existence in the universe, and all beings cycle between these states. They can be divided into higher realms and lower realms.

The three higher realms are:

1) The Human Realm

The human realm is the world of everyday experience. Human life, which encompasses both pleasure and pain, makes us aware of these dual aspects of existence. Buddhism teaches
That such a harmonious balance allows us to pursue spiritual realization is the reason why the human world is considered the most suitable realm for practicing dharma.

2) The Semi-Gods Realm

The titans that live in this realm, not content with what they possess, spend their time fighting among themselves or making war with the gods. These semi-gods do not suffer from desire or greed but from constant fighting and jealousy.

3) The Realm of the Gods

These gods are depicted as beings not so far removed from the human dimension; in fact, they share similar sensual experiences. The gods enjoy lives full of abundance and pleasure; however, they spend their existence pursuing meaningless distractions and never consider practicing the dharma. This way, they deplete their good Karma, and they will suffer through being reborn in the lower realms.

The three lower realms are:

). The Hell Realm

Hell is typically represented as a place of intense torment where beings endure unimaginable suffering. The victims are subjected to the most terrible tortures inflicted by demons.
In the Buddhist tradition, there are eighteen “hells” that can be hot or cold.

5) The Hungry Ghosts Realm

This realm is inhabited by pathetic creatures suffering from extreme and perpetual hunger and thirst.
They wander constantly in search of food and drink; however, even if they obtain what they want, it will cause them intense agony.

6) The Animals Realm

In this realm, life is based on self-preservation. Animals live in constant fear and suffer from being attacked and eaten by other animals—the metaphor of refusal to see beyond the physical needs.

In some Wheel of Life representations, a Buddha or bodhisattva is depicted within each realm, attempting to guide the beings residing there toward nirvana. The outermost concentric ring of the Wheel of Life presents the process of cause and effect in detail. The circle is divided into twelve parts, each depicting a phase of the law of Karma, which keeps us trapped in the six realms of cyclic existence.

The twelve causal links and the corresponding allegories are:

Avidyā: Ignorance – a blind man, often walking.
Saṃskāra: Mental Formations – a potter shaping a vessel.
Vijñāna: Consciousness – a man or a monkey grasping a fruit
Nāmarūpa: Name and form – two men afloat in a boat
Ṣaḍāyatana: Six senses – a dwelling with six windows
Sparśa: Contact – two lovers kissing or entwined
Vedanā: Feeling – a man with an arrow in the eye
Tṛṣṇa: Craving – a drinker receiving a drink
Upādāna: Grasping – a man or a monkey picking fruit
Bhava: Existence – a couple engaged in intercourse or a standing reflective person
Jāti: Rebirth – a woman giving birth
Jarāmaraṇa: Aging and Death – a corpse being carried

Bhavacakra Thangka paintings usually contain an inscription on the bottom explaining the process that keeps us in Samsara and how to reverse that process according to
The teaching of the Buddha said:

I have shown you the path that leads to liberation
But you should know that liberation depends upon yourself.
The Wheel of Life is also known as:

Wheel of becoming
Wheel of cyclic existence
Wheel of Existence
Wheel of rebirth
Wheel of Saṃsāra
Wheel of suffering
Wheel of transformation
A beautiful book that we suggest for a more detailed analysis of the symbolism of the Bhavachakra is The Tibetan Wheel of Existence: An Introduction by Jacqueline Dunnington,
published and distributed by Tibet House US. A monograph on the famous Buddhist
icon with seventeen color plates illustrating this fundamental teaching device created by the Buddha.

Size: 15 x 20 Inch ( 38 x 51 cm)- Excluding surrounding border
Colors Used: Tibetan Canvas Cotton, Dust of Gold, Water, Tibetan Hide Glue Mixture, Smoky Combination

Before making a purchase, please take note of the following important information:
- Each painting is hand-painted, making every piece unique.
- Differences in lighting and screen resolution may result in slight color variations.
- Paintings are even more captivating when viewed in person.
- The size specified for the painting does not include the outer border.
- All paintings will be securely packed in a PVC tube to ensure safe transit.
- Buyers are responsible for any additional fees at their destination, including import taxes and duties, which are not included in the purchase price.
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