1. Wheel of Life Bhavachakra

2. What is it? From Tibetan Tradition
Represents the cycle of samsara & teachings of the Buddha
Divided into the Six Realms of being
In each realms the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara, appears to show the way to liberation
Literal or allegory?

4. Twelve Nidanas: Links of Dependent Origination
All dharmas depend on cause/effect. Must break free.
“If this exists, that exists; if this ceases to exist, that also ceases to exist“
blind man or woman (ignorance)
potters (formation)
a monkey (consciousness)
two men in a boat (mind and body)
a house with six windows (the senses)
an embracing couple (contact)
an eye pierced by an arrow (sensation)
a person drinking (thirst)
a man gathering fruit (grasping/attachment)
a couple making love/pregnant woman (becoming)
a woman giving birth (birth)
a man carrying a corpse (death)

6. The Center The Three Poisons The Intermediate State
Forces that keep the wheel turning
A rooster, a snake, and a pig: greed, anger and ignorance
The Intermediate State
White Path: bodhisattvas guide beings to rebirth in higher realms
Dark path: demons lead beings to lower realms

7. Yama A Dharmapala, Lord of the Underworld
Wrathful deity who protects Buddhism & Buddhists
Represents impermanence
Turns the wheel
NOT EVIL

8. The Realm of the gods Highest realm Long, pleasure-filled lives
Wealth, power, happiness,
Perpetually at war with the Asuras
Do not recognize truth of suffering
No desire to seek nirvana
Reborn into lower realm

9. The Realm of Asuras The jealous gods Competitive & paranoid
Driven by desire to conquer
Have power & resources, sometimes accomplish good
“anti-gods”: believe the belong in the God Realm

10. The realm of animals Solid, regular, predictable Cling to the familiar
Ignorance & complacency
Subject to bigotry & oppression

11. The Realm of hell Anger, terror, claustrophobic Place of fire & ice
Torment of isolation, leads to self-destruction
Psychologically
Fiery Beings are angry
Icy Beings are unfeeling

12. The Realm of Hungry Ghosts
Have huge, empty stomachs, but thin necks
Don't allow nourishment to pass.
Food turns to fire and ash in their mouths.
Greed and jealously lead to their rebirth
Psychologically: addiction, obsession compulsion

13. The Realm of humans Questioning and curiosity Filled with passion
Dharma is openly available, but few seek it
Liberation is only possible from here