Buddhism - The Dharma Wheel or Dharmachakra

The Dharma wheel or Dharmachakra, an eight-spoke wheel, for all Buddhist sects symbolizing the core teachings of Buddhism and the path to enlightenment.

Dharma wheel or Dharmachakra, an eight-spoke wheel being constructed behind 'Big Buddha' on Koh Samui, Thailand.

The Dharma wheel is linked to the Buddha Dharmachakra Mudra. Buddhas use special hand positions called mudras in their icons and their meditation practices.

The Buddha in a Dharmachakra Mudra is shown with his hands of the statue that represent his first sermon, and this hand position is seen as symbolizing the act of teaching.

Buddhism - The Dharma Wheel or Dharmachakra

In Buddhism—according to the Pali Canon, Vinayapitaka, Khandhaka, Mahavagga, Dhammacakkappavattanasutta the number of spokes of the Dharmachakra represent various meanings:

Stylised Dharma wheel or Dharmacakra as windows in a Chinese Buddhist Temple

8 spokes Dharma Wheel represents the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariya magga).

12 spokes Dharma Wheel represents the Twelve Laws of Dependent Origination (Paticcasamuppāda).

24 spokes Dharma Wheel represents the Twelve Laws of Dependent Origination and the Twelve Laws of Dependent Termination (Paticcasamuppāda).

31 spokes Dharma Wheel represents 31 realms of existence (11 realms of desire, 16 realms of form and 4 realms of formlessness).

In Buddhism, Parts of the Dharmachakra also representing:

The overall Dharma Wheel shape is that of a circle (chakra), representing the perfection of the dharma teaching

The Dharma Wheel hub stands for discipline, which is the essential core of meditation practice

The Dharma Wheel rim, which holds the spokes, refers to mindfulness or samādhi which holds everything together

The corresponding mudra, or symbolic hand gesture, is known as the Dharmachakra Mudra.

The Dharma Wheel or Dharmachakra is one of the eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Dharma Wheel can refer to the dissemination of the dharma teaching from country to country. In this sense the dharma wheel began rolling in India, carried on to Central Asia, and then arrived in South East Asia and East Asia.

The Buddhist Flag
First hoisted in 1885 in Sri Lanka, is a symbol of faith and peace used throughout the world to represent the Buddhist faith.

Buddhist Flag Picture - Buddhist Flag Colours - The Buddhist Flag Sri Lanka 1885

Buddhist Flag Meanings
Blue: Universal Compassion
Yellow: The Middle Path
Red: Blessings
White: Purity and Liberation
Orange: Wisdom

Stylised Dharma wheel or Dharmacakra as windows in a Chinese Buddhist Temple

The Dharma Wheel

In Buddhism-according to the Pali Canon, Vinayapitaka, Khandhaka, Mahavagga, the number of spokes of the Dharmachakra represent various meanings:

8 spokes representing the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariya magga).
12 spokes representing the Twelve Laws of Dependent Origination (Paticcasamuppada).
24 spokes representing the Twelve Laws of Dependent Origination and the Twelve Laws of Dependent Termination (Paticcasamuppada).
31 spokes representing 31 realms of existence (11 realms of desire, 16 realms of form and 4 realms of formlessness).

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo is a Japanese Buddhist chant based upon the Lotus Sutra. Nichiren Daishonin (Feb 16, 1222 – Oct 13, 1282) a Buddhist monk who lived during the Kamakura period (1185–1333) in Japan. Nichiren taught devotion to the Lotus Sutra, entitled Myōhō-Renge-Kyō in Japanese, as the exclusive means to attain enlightenment and the chanting of Nam-Myōhō-Renge-Kyō as the essential practice of the teaching. Various schools with diverging interpretations of Nichiren's teachings comprise Nichiren Buddhism.
Nam - To devote one's life
Myoho - Myo is the mystic nature of life and Ho, its manifestation
Renge - "Lotus Flower"; which symolises the ballance of cause and effect
Kyo - Sutra, the voice or teachings of Buddha (The sound or vibration that connects everything in the ubiverse)

Thailand Travel Guide