Bhavacakra, Bhava-cakra: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Bhavacakra means something in Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Buddhism
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: WikiPedia: BuddhismThe Bhavacakra is a complex symbolic representation of samsara in the form of a circle. Sanskrit: mandala; Tibetan: khor.lo), used primarily in Tibetan Buddhism. Samsara is the continuous cycle of birth, life, and death from which one liberates oneself through enlightenment.
(Pali: bhavacakka) or Wheel of Becoming (Tibetan srid pai khor lo)
Legend has it that the Buddha himself created the first depiction of the bhavacakra, and the story of how he gave the illustration to King Rudrayana appears in the anthology of Buddhist narratives called the Divyavadana.
The Bhavacakra is also called:
- Wheel of life
- Wheel of existence
- Wheel of becoming
- Wheel of rebirth
- Wheel of samsara
- Wheel of suffering
- Wheel of transformation
India history and geography
Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-katha (history)Bhavacakra (भवचक्र) refers to Saṃsāracakra, according to “A Cultural note on the Kuvalayamala of Uddyotanasuri” by the late Dr. V. s. Agrawala.—Page 185.21 f.: Here follows a description of two printed scrolls, one illustrating the Jaina conception of saṃsāracakra and the other of Bhavāntaras. The saṃsāracakra was also painted by Buddhists on a ceiling at Ajanta. It is stated in Divyāvadāna that Bhavacakra was painted in the dvāra-prakoṣṭha or the entrance of the royal palace. It is little surprising that the different parts of the painting were explained by being pointed out with a long stick. The saṃsāracakra illustrated the three worlds of hell, human world and the world of gods.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionarybhavacakka : (nt.) the wheel of rebirth.
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Bhava, Cakra.
Full-text: Bhavachakr, Dvaraprakoshtha, Samsaracakra, Prakoshtha, Sipa-khorlo, Pratityasamutpada, Six Worlds, Bhava.
Relevant text
Search found 4 books and stories containing Bhavacakra, Bhava-cakra; (plurals include: Bhavacakras, cakras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Catu-Bhanavara-Pali (critical study) (by Moumita Dutta Banik)
(8) Atanatiya-sutta < [Chapter 4 - Subject Matter of the Third Bhanavara]
A History of Indian Philosophy Volume 1 (by Surendranath Dasgupta)
Part 4 - The Doctrine of Causal Connection of early Buddhism < [Chapter V - Buddhist Philosophy]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
A. Sattvaśūnyatā or Pudgalanairātmya < [I. The twofold emptiness in the canonical sūtras]
Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra) (by Bhalchandra Sitaram Sukthankar)