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Wheel of Dharma symbol

Thedharmachakra(Sanskrit:धर्मचक्र,Pali:dhammacakka) orwheel of dharmais a widespreadsymbolused inBuddhism.[1][2]The symbol also finds usage in Hinduism, particularly in places that underwent religious transformation,[3][4][5][6]and in Jainism and in modern India.

Historically, the dharmachakra was often used as a decoration inEast Asianstatues andinscriptions,beginning with the earliest period ofEast Asian cultureto the present.[7]It remains a major symbol of the Buddhist religion today.

Etymology

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TheSanskritnoundharma(धर्म) is a derivation from the rootdhṛ'to hold, maintain, keep',[8]and means 'what is established or firm'. The word derives from theVedic Sanskritn-stemdharman-with the meaning "bearer, supporter". Thehistorical Vedic religionapparently conceived ofdharmaas an aspect ofṚta.[9]

History and usage

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TenIndus charactersfrom the northern gate ofDholavira,dubbed theDholavira Signboard.

Similar chakra (spoked-wheel) symbols are one of the most ancient in all Indian history. Madhavan and Parpola note that a wheel symbol appears frequently inIndus Valley civilizationartifacts, particularly on severalseals.[10][note 1]Notably, it is present in a sequence of ten signs on theDholavira Signboard.[10][12]

Some historians associate the ancient chakra symbols withsolar symbolism.[13]In theVedas,the godSuryais associated with the solar disc, which is said to be a chariot of one wheel (cakra).Mitra,a form of Surya, is described as "the eye of the world", and thus the sun is conceived of as an eye (cakṣu) which illuminates and perceives the world.[14]Such a wheel is also the main attribute ofVishnu.[12]Thus, a wheel symbol might also be associated with light and knowledge.

Buddhist usage and significance

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Dharmachakra in front of a statue ofPadmasambhava.Lake Rewalsar,Himachal Pradesh,India
Worshipers and Dharmachakra,Sanchi Stupa,South Face, West Pillar.

In Buddhism, the Dharma Chakra is widely used to represent the Buddha'sDharma(Buddha's teaching and the universal moral order),Gautama Buddhahimself and the walking of the path toenlightenment,since the time ofEarly Buddhism.[15][1][note 2]The symbol is also sometimes connected to theFour Noble Truths,theNoble Eightfold PathandDependent Origination. The pre-Buddhist dharmachakra (Pali:dhammacakka) is considered one of theashtamangala(auspicious signs) in Hinduism and Buddhism and often used as a symbol of both faiths.[16][note 3]It is one of the oldest known Indian symbols found inIndian art,appearing with the first surviving post-Indus Valley CivilisationIndian iconography in the time of the Buddhist kingAshoka.[15][note 2]

The Buddha is said to have set the "wheel of dharma" in motion when he delivered his first sermon,[17]which is described in theDhammacakkappavattana Sutta.This "turning of the wheel" signifies a great and revolutionary change with universal consequences, brought about by an exceptional human being. Buddhism adopted the wheel as a symbol from the Indian mythical idea of the ideal king, called achakravartin( "wheel-turner", or "universal monarch" ),[12][17]who was said to possess several mythical objects, including theratana cakka(the ideal wheel). TheMahā Sudassana Suttaof theDigha Nikayadescribes this wheel as having a nave (nābhi), a thousand spokes (sahassārāni) and a felly (nemi), all of which are perfect in every respect.[14]Siddhartha Gautamawas said to have been a "mahapurisa" (great man) who could have chosen to become a wheel turning king, but instead became the spiritual counterpart to such a king, a wheel turning sage, that is, aBuddha.[18]

In his explanation of the term "turning the wheel of Dharma", the Theravada exegeteBuddhaghosaexplains that this "wheel" which the Buddha turned is primarily to be understood as wisdom, knowledge, and insight (ñāṇa). This wisdom has two aspects, paṭivedha-ñāṇa, the wisdom of self-realisation of the Truth and desanā-ñāṇa, the wisdom of proclamation of the Truth.[14]The dharmachakra symbol also points to the central Indian idea of "Dharma",a complex and multivalent term which refers to the eternal cosmic law, universal moral order and in Buddhism, the very teaching and path expounded by the Buddha.[19]

The originalLion Capital of Ashoka,from Sarnath. It originally supported a large dhamachakra on the top (reconstitution).

In theBuddhist Artat early sites such asBharhutandSanchi,the dharmachakra was often used as a symbol of Gautama Buddha himself.[18][14]The symbol is often paired with thetriratna(triple jewel) ortrishula(trident) symbolizing thetriple gem,umbrellas (chatra), symbols ofsovereigntyand royal power, gems and garlands. It is also sometimes depicted alongside animals such as lions,[14]or deer.

There are different designs of the Buddhist dharmachakra with 8, 12, 24 or morespokes.In different Buddhist traditions, the different number of spokes may represent different aspects of the Buddha's Dharma (teaching). In the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist tradition for example, the 8 spoked wheel represents thenoble eightfold path,and the hub, rim and spokes are also said to represent the three trainings (sila,prajñaandsamadhi).[20]

In Buddhism, the cyclical movement of a wheel is also used to symbolize the cyclical nature of life in the world (also referred to as the "wheel ofsamsara",samsara-chakraor the "wheel of becoming",bhava-cakra).[14]This wheel of suffering can be reversed or "turned" through the practice of the Buddhist path. The Buddhist terms for "suffering" (dukkha) and happiness (sukha) may also originally be related to the proper or improper fitting of wheels on achariot'saxle.[21]The Indo-Tibetan tradition has developed elaborate depictions calledBhavacakraswhich depict the many realms ofrebirthinBuddhist cosmology.

The spokes of a wheel are also often used as symbols of the Buddhist doctrine ofdependent origination.According to the Theravada scholarBuddhaghosa:

“It is the beginningless round of rebirths that is called the ’Wheel of the round of rebirths’ (saṃsāracakka). Ignorance (avijjā) is its hub (or nave) because it is its root. Ageing-and-death (jarā-maraṇa) is its rim (or felly) because it terminates it. The remaining ten links [of Dependent Origination] are its spokes [i.e. saṅkhāra up to the process of becoming, bhava].”[14]

The earliest Indian monument featuring dharmachakras are theAshokan Pillars,such as the lion pillar at Sanchi, built at the behest of theMauryanemperorAshoka.According to Benjamin Rowland:[14]

”The Sārnāth column may be interpreted, therefore, not only as a glorification of the Buddha’s preaching symbolised by the crowning wheel, but also through thecosmologicalimplications of the whole pillar as a symbol of the universal extension of the power of the Buddha’s Law as typified by the sun that dominates all space and all time, and simultaneously an emblem of the universal extension of Mauryan imperialism through the Dharma. The whole structure is then a translation of age-old Indian and Asiatic cosmology into artistic terms of essentially foreign origin and dedicated, like all Asoka’s monuments, to the glory of Buddhism and the royal house.”

According to Harrison, the symbolism of "the wheel of the law" and the order of Nature is also visible in the Tibetanprayer wheels.The moving wheels symbolize the movement of cosmic order (ṛta).[22]

Jain, Hindu and modern Indian usages

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Wheel of the chariot of the sun,Konark Sun Temple.
TheState Emblem of Indiafeatures the 24 spoke Dharmachakra from theLion Capital of Ashoka.
Jain illustration with dharmachakra and the mottoAhiṃsāParamoDharma(non-violence is the highest dharma).

The dharmachakra is a symbol in thesramanareligion ofJainism,sometimes on statues of theTirthankaras.[23][24][25]

Wheel symbolism was also used in Indian temples in places that underwent a religious transformation from Buddhism,[26][27]such as Jagannath temple, whose deity is believed by some scholars to have aBuddhist origin.[28][29]It also finds use in other ancient temples of Odisha, the most famous of which is theKonark Sun Temple.

The 24 spokeAshoka dharmachakrais present in the modernflag of India,representing thepan-Indianconcept ofDharma.[30]The modernState Emblem of Indiais a depiction of theLion Capital of Ashoka(Sanchi), which includes the dharmachakra. An integral part of the emblem is themottoinscribed inDevanagariscript:Satyameva Jayate(English:Truth Alone Triumphs).[31]This is a quote from theMundaka Upanishad,[32]the concluding part of theVedas.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan,the first Vice President of India, stated that theAshoka Chakraof India represents the "wheel of the law ofdharma",as well as" Truth orsatya","Virtue "as well as" motion ", as in the" dynamism of a peaceful change ".[30]

Other uses and similar symbols

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  • The main attribute ofVishnuis a wheel like weapon called theSudarśanacakra.[12]
  • Similar wheel symbols were used as a solar symbol by theAncient Egyptians.[33]
  • Some Buddha statues also depict the relatedDharmachakra Mudrā,a hand sign depicting the turning of the Dharma wheel.
  • A very similar wheel symbol also appears in theflag of the Romani people,hinting to their nomadic history.
  • In non-Buddhist cultural contexts, an eight-spoked wheel resembles a traditionalship's wheel.As a nautical emblem, this image is a commonsailor tattoo,which may be misidentified as a dharmachakra or vice versa.
  • Thesonnenradis a similar symbol used by occultists and neo-nazis.
  • Falun Gonguses the concept of a similar wheel as a central concept
  • In theUnicodecomputer standard, the dharmachakra is called the "Wheel ofDharma"and found in the eight-spoked form. It is represented as U+2638(☸).Asemoji:☸️.


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Historical and archeological examples

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  • Reconstitution of approximate layout of Sanchi at the time of the Mauryas, showing the pillar topped by a dharmachakra.
    Reconstitution of approximate layout of Sanchi at the time of theMauryas,showing the pillar topped by a dharmachakra.
  • Sandstone depiction, c. 2nd Century BCE, Bharhut, Indian Museum – Kolkata.
    Sandstone depiction, c. 2nd Century BCE,Bharhut,Indian Museum –Kolkata.
  • Illustrated reconstruction of the pinnacles at Bharhut by Alexander Cunningham
    Illustrated reconstruction of the pinnacles atBharhutbyAlexander Cunningham
  • Eastern gateway of Bharhut stupa topped with a dharmachakra pinnacle
    Eastern gateway of Bharhut stupa topped with a dharmachakra pinnacle
  • Buddha represented by Dharmacakra, Sanchi Stupa no. 3.
    Buddha represented by Dharmacakra,Sanchi Stupano. 3.
  • Dharmacakra on Pillar, Sanchi Stupa no. 3
    Dharmacakra on Pillar, Sanchi Stupa no. 3
  • Adoration of the pillar of Ashoka, Sanchi Stupa no. 3.
    Adoration of the pillar of Ashoka, Sanchi Stupa no. 3.
  • Illustration from Sanchi Stupa
    Illustration from Sanchi Stupa
  • Limestone Pilaster, 2nd century CE, Amaravathi, Indian Museum, Kolkata.
    Limestone Pilaster, 2nd century CE,Amaravathi,Indian Museum, Kolkata.
  • Buddha footprints with dharmachakras, Archaeological Museum, Amaravati
    Buddha footprintswith dharmachakras,Archaeological Museum, Amaravati
  • 1st century Gandhara Buddha footprint
    1st century GandharaBuddha footprint
  • Gandharan Stele illustrating the first sermon at Sarnath, 2nd century, Metropolitan Museum of Art.
    GandharanStele illustrating the first sermon atSarnath,2nd century, Metropolitan Museum of Art.
  • Stele from Gandhara
    Stele from Gandhara
  • A sculpture depicting the Dharmachakra in the museum of Amaravathi
    A sculpture depicting the Dharmachakra in the museum ofAmaravathi
  • Taxila coin with wheel and Buddhist symbols
    Taxilacoin with wheel and Buddhist symbols
  • Coin found in Afghanistan, 50 BCE – c. 30 CE, at the latest before 50 CE.
    Coin found inAfghanistan,50 BCE – c. 30 CE, at the latest before 50 CE.
  • Three Jewels, or Triratna. Eastern Afghanistan. Kushan period. 2–3 century.
    Three Jewels, or Triratna. Eastern Afghanistan.Kushan period.2–3 century.
  • Dharmachakra Pravartana Mudra, Gupta period, 5th CE.
    Dharmachakra Pravartana Mudra,Gupta period, 5th CE.
  • Dhammacakka, National Museum, Bangkok, Thailand
    Dhammacakka,National Museum, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Dhammacakka, National Museum, Bangkok, Thailand
    Dhammacakka,National Museum, Bangkok,Thailand
  • Khao Klang Nai, Si Thep Historical Park, Thailand.
    Khao Klang Nai,Si Thep Historical Park,Thailand.
  • Mon dharmachakra, VII or IX century, Sandstone
    Mon dharmachakra, VII or IX century, Sandstone
  • Dharma wheel, Japan, Kamakura period, 1200s CE, bronze – Tokyo National Museum.
    Dharma wheel, Japan,Kamakura period,1200s CE, bronze –Tokyo National Museum.
  • Part of a Buddha-statue, showing the first five disciples of the Buddha at Sarnath and dharmachakra.
    Part of a Buddha-statue, showing the first five disciples of the Buddha at Sarnath and dharmachakra.
  • Japanese dharmachakra, late 13th century.
    Japanese dharmachakra, late 13th century.
  • Mandala Base, China, Ming dynasty, Cleveland Museum of Art.
    Mandala Base, China, Ming dynasty, Cleveland Museum of Art.
  • Dharma wheel, China, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period, 1736–1795 CE.
    Dharma wheel, China, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period, 1736–1795 CE.
  • Box with Ink Cakes: Yellow Ink Stick, China, Qing dynasty (1644–1912).
    Box with Ink Cakes: Yellow Ink Stick, China,Qing dynasty(1644–1912).
  • Dharmachakra Pravartana at National Museum, New Delhi
    Dharmachakra Pravartana at National Museum, New Delhi

Contemporary examples

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National flags and official symbolism

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Notes

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  1. ^These symbols, however, are elongated and not circular. Spoked wheel vehicle are virtually absent inHarappan civilisation.[11]Therefore interpreting these symbols as spoked wheel is a matter of debate.
  2. ^abGrünwedel e.a.: "The wheel (dharmachakra) as already mentioned, was adopted by Buddha's disciples as the symbol of his doctrine, and combined with other symbols—a trident placed above it, etc.—stands for him on the sculptures of the Asoka period. "[15]
  3. ^Goetz: "dharmachakra, symbol of the Buddhist faith".[16]

References

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  1. ^abJohn C. Huntington, Dina Bangdel,The Circle of Bliss: Buddhist Meditational Art,p. 524.
  2. ^"Buddhist Symbols".Ancient-symbols.com.Retrieved22 June2018.
  3. ^Mansinha, Mayadhar (10 September 2021) [1960]."CHAPTER VIII. THE POST SARALA PERIOD - A PERIOD OF EXPERIMENTS: I.The Buddhist Influence -The Metaphysical Poets".History of Oriya Literature.Creative Media Partners, LLC.ISBN978-1015025486.
  4. ^Nayak, Dr. Ganeswar (11 March 2014)."History of Odisha (From earliest times to 1434 A.D)"(PDF).Paralakhemundi:Shri Krushna Chandra Gajapati Autonomous College.p. 107.
  5. ^Misra, Bijoy M. (2007). Bryant, Edwin Francis (ed.).Krishna: A Sourcebook.Oxford University Press. p. 141.ISBN978-0195148923.
  6. ^Sahu, Nabin Kumar (1958)."Sailodbhavas, Bhaumakaras and Somavamśīs".Buddhism in Orissa.Bhubaneshwar: Utkal University. p. x.OCLC1391872675.
  7. ^"Dharma And Ethics The Indian Ideal Of Human Perfection 1st Published".priscilla.work.Archived fromthe originalon 29 October 2021.Retrieved29 October2021.
  8. ^Monier Williams,A Sanskrit Dictionary(1899): "to hold, bear (also: bring forth), carry, maintain, preserve, keep, possess, have, use, employ, practise, undergo"
  9. ^ Day, Terence (1 January 2006) [1982]. "The Concept of Obligation".The Conception of Punishment in Early Indian Literature.Editions SR (volume 2). Waterloo, Ontario: Wilfrid Laurier University Press. p. 42.ISBN9780889208384.Retrieved5 March2024.The importance of the conception of Dharma in early brāhmanic thought is so considerable that it has seemed either that it replaced Ṛta as the leading philosophical and religious conception or that the earlier concept was at some time absorbed into it. It is probably more true that Dharma was conceived as an aspect of Ṛta which became so useful for framing religious, moral and social regulations, that interest in it and discussion of its applications to social and moral order eclipsed all discussions of metaphysical and theological ideas.
  10. ^abThe Ancient Indus Valley: New Perspectives By Jane McIntosh. p. 377
  11. ^Shahane, Girish (8 October 2014)."What the absence of chariots in ancient Harappa means for Modi's Clean India plan".Scroll.in.Archived fromthe originalon 10 October 2014.Retrieved16 January2024.
  12. ^abcdBeer 2003,p. 14.
  13. ^Issitt, Micah. Main, Carlyn. (2014).Hidden Religion: The Greatest Mysteries and Symbols of the World's Religious Beliefs,ABC-CLIO, p. 185.
  14. ^abcdefghT. B. Karunaratne (1969),The Buddhist Wheel Symbol,The Wheel Publication No. 137/138, Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy • Sri Lanka.
  15. ^abcGrünwedel, Gibson & Burgess 1901,p. 67.
  16. ^abGoetz 1964,p. 52.
  17. ^abPal 1986,p. 42.
  18. ^abLudowyk, E.F.C. (2013)The Footprint of the Buddha,Routledge, p. 22.
  19. ^Issitt, Micah. Main, Carlyn. (2014).Hidden Religion: The Greatest Mysteries and Symbols of the World's Religious Beliefs,ABC-CLIO, p. 186.
  20. ^A Lamp Illuminating the Path to Liberation: An Explanation of Essential Topics for Dharma Studentsby Khenpo Gyaltsen (translated by Lhasey Lotsawa Translations, Nepal: 2014, pp. 247–248).
  21. ^Sargeant, Winthrop (2009), The Bhagavad Gita, SUNY Press, p. 303.
  22. ^Harrison 2010,p. 526.
  23. ^Framing the Jina: Narratives of Icons and Idols in Jain History,p. 314, by John Cort,Oxford University
  24. ^Asha Kalia,Art of Osian Temples: Socio-economic and Religious Life in India, 8th–12th Centuries A.D.Abhinav Publications, 1982, chapter 16.
  25. ^Sharma, Savita (1990).Early Indian Symbols: Numismatic Evidence,Agam Kala Prakashan, 1990 p. 51.
  26. ^Misra 2007.
  27. ^Sahu 1958.
  28. ^Nayak 2014.
  29. ^Mansinha 2021.
  30. ^abc"The national flag code"(PDF).Mahapolice.gov.in.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 15 December 2017.Retrieved22 June2018.
  31. ^Kamal Dey v. Union of India and State of West Bengal(Calcutta High Court 2011-07-14),Text.
  32. ^"Rajya Sabha Parliamentary Standing Committee On Home Affairs: 116th Report on The State Emblem Of India (Prohibition Of Improper Use) Bill, 2004"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 8 March 2013.
  33. ^Hall, Adelaide S. (2005).A Glossary of Important Symbols in Their Hebrew: Pagan and Christian Forms.Cosimo. p. 56.ISBN978-1-59605-593-3.

Sources

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Further reading

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