Dharma Wheel Pendants

Dharma - Buddha's teachings,

Chakra - Sanskrit word meaning 'wheel' or 'turning'.

'Chakra' (cakra) is also the concept energy flowing and spinning like wheels in the human body.

The spiritual and religious term 'Dharma' also refers to a person's righteous duty or path. The Wheel is at the same time a Mandala (circle), a geometrical shaped pattern symbolizing the cosmos.

There have been three turnings of the Dharma wheel. The first is said to have occurred at the Deer Park in Sarnath (in northern India near Nepal) It was then when Buddha taught his audience of five ascetics (shravakas) the Four Noble Truths.


These four Noble Truths define the subject of suffering. The first truth is about the nature of suffering, the second truth is about the origin of suffering and that it is caused by craving and/ or attachment, the third is about the cessation of suffering by letting things go, becoming unattached. The fourth Noble Truth is about the way, the path to the cessation of suffering. This truth is the Noble Eightfold Path. More info on Wikipedia

Photo by Akuppa | Creative Commons

The Dharma wheel also symbolizes the endless cycle of rebirth (Samsara). According to the Buddhist law one can only escape this cycle by following the Buddha's teachings.

Before the introduction of Buddha images the wheel also resembled the Buddha himself.

A huge bronze Wheel of Dharma being created by a Chinese craftsman in Xining (Capital of Qinghai Province in central China)



Photo by reurinkjan under Creative Commons