The Wheel of Dharma

The circle, the round shape of the wheel, represents the perfection of the dharma, the teaching of the Buddha. The rim of the wheel represents meditative concentration and mindfulness, which supports the practice.

The center represents moral discipline. The three swirls in the center are said to represent the Three Treasures or Three Jewels - the Buddha, Dharma, Sangha.

When a wheel has eight spokes, they represent the Eightfold Path.

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Turning the Wheel of Dharma

“Turning the wheel of dharma” is a metaphor for referring to the Buddha's teaching, the Dharma in the world.

In Mahayana Buddhism, the Buddha is said to have spun the wheel of dharma three times .The first time was during the sermon in the deer park, after enlightenment.

In the first spin of the Dharma wheel the Buddha explained the Four Noble Truths.

The second turning represents the introduction of the 6 Paramitas or the 6 perfections that one must attain to attain Awakening and are the antidotes that counteract ignorance and the other afflictive emotions that prevent us from realizing our true Buddha Nature.

Buddha imparts his third teaching which is about the Buddha nature, which is pure, it cannot be contaminated. Therefore by perceiving it and maintaining the experience we can attain Awakening.

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THE FIRST TURNING OF THE WHEEL OF DHARMA THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

In Sarnath, in a place known as the Deer Park, Buddha gives his first teaching: The Four Noble Truths or the first turning of the wheel of Dharma on which the Hinayana or Theravada school is based.

The truth of suffering (dissatisfaction is inherent to existence and is caused by the basic ignorance of the human being).

The origin of suffering (ignorance that leads us to commit non-virtuous actions and brings suffering. It is believing in the existence of an “I” that exists independently).

The cessation of suffering (Once one realizes that due to ignorance one commits non-virtuous actions, one stops them. The important and positive thing is that there is a way to cut with suffering. cut with suffering.

The path to attain Awakening - The Eightfold Noble Path.

The Eightfold Noble Path

Right View - To have a clear mind that allows us to penetrate and experience the ultimate reality.

Right Thought - To keep pure thoughts or not to misinterpret the teachings.

Right Speech - To use words that benefit those who receive them.

Right Effort - Channeling our energy in the best possible way towards that which will lead to awakening.

Right Way of Life - To have a righteous way of life that allows you to maintain a sober way of life.

Right Mindfulness - Having a mind that is present and aware of its actions.

Right Concentration - Which is one-pointed and unidirectional meditation.

Right Action - We have to have pure actions. When action is pure it creates positive residual energy (karma).

THE SECOND TURNING OF THE WHEEL OF DHARMA THE 6 PARAMITAS OR PERFECTIONS

This second teaching is about the 6 perfections that one must attain to attain Awakening and are the antidotes that counteract ignorance and the other afflictive emotions that prevent us from realizing our true Nature. These 6 paramitas are:

Generosity - It is the antidote to greed. It must start from love and compassion. An action is great or small based on motivation. You are considered to have reached the perfection of generosity when you give without there being in your mind one who gives and one who receives.

Morality or Conduct - Is the antidote to not being reborn in the lower realms. One attains the perfection of morality when one has the motivation to care for, protect and benefit all beings.

Patience - is the antidote to anger. If someone verbally assaults us you should not react from anger because it generates suffering. Before an aggression we should respond from patience and understand that the being who is attacking is acting from an afflictive emotion and the best response is to react from love and compassion.

Effort or Enthusiasm - It is the antidote against laziness and laziness that does not allow us to perform our practices and good deeds.

The Perfection of Meditation - This is the antidote to the distraction that keeps us from our teaching practices.

Perfection of Wisdom - is the antidote to ignorance. One attains the perfection of Wisdom when one experiences the nature of one's mind and through the cultivation of this experience one attains Awakening.

THE THIRD TURNING OF THE WHEEL OF DHARMA THE BUDDHA NATURE

In Bodgaya, Buddha gives his third teaching which is about the Buddha nature, which is pure, it cannot be contaminated.

Therefore, by perceiving it and maintaining the experience we can achieve awakening. It is a characteristic that all beings have, but because we are under the dominion of afflictive emotions we cannot perceive our true nature.

This is the basis of the Vajrayana path. All beings possess the Buddha nature and the only difference is that an awakened being has recognized his true essence and is able to maintain it.

All beings possess the capacity to become Buddha by maintaining that perfection.