| The Buddha was the first person who “turned the | | | | "first turning of the wheel of dharma." And subsequent |
| wheel of dharma” and when he did the wheel then | | | | discourses at Rajgir and Shravasti are known as the |
| became it's own symbol called the Dharmachakra or | | | | "second and third turnings of the wheel of dharma." |
| the “wheel of law”. The Tibetans use the term | | | | The wheel has been a common symbol in Buddhist art |
| “the wheel of transformation” The wheel is a | | | | long before the introduction of images. In those days, |
| representation of the cycle of samsara, or rebirth. The | | | | the Dharmachakra symbolized not only the Buddha's |
| cycle can only be broken by following the Buddha's | | | | teachings but the Buddha himself. Emperor Ashoka |
| teachings, and is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols. | | | | (272-32 BC) built pillars on top of which he placed four |
| Buddhists see the wheel as having three basic parts | | | | carved lions and four wheels, Each one faces the one |
| or "three trainings". The first section is the hub, it | | | | of four directions to proclaim the Buddhist Dharma |
| symbolizes moral discipline, which is able to stabilize the | | | | throughout India. |
| mind. There are eight spokes that represent wisdom | | | | Today, the Dharmachakra appears in the art of every |
| that can be applied to defeat ignorance. Each of the | | | | Buddhist culture. On images of the Buddha, the wheel |
| eight spokes symbolize the Noble Eightfold Path set | | | | appears on the palms of his hands and the soles of his |
| out by the Buddha in his teachings. The rim is a | | | | feet. It is often seen in Tibet, flanked by two deer, the |
| representation of concentration, which holds everything | | | | whole image is a representation of the Buddha's first |
| else together. | | | | sermon in the Deer Park. The wheel is usually central |
| The wheel's motion is seen as a metaphor for the | | | | to mandalas, geometric representations of the Buddhist |
| rapid spiritual change that happens when someone | | | | universe. It also appears in the Dharmachakra Mudra, in |
| follows the teachings of the Buddha. The first | | | | which the Buddha forms a wheel with the position of |
| discourse at Deer Park in Sarnath is known as the | | | | his hands. |