Illustrations: Samsara Thanka (shown), Rings key, Rings C & D key, Full circle detail, Top circle detail, Bottom circle detail.
(P) Perimeter:
Shakyamuni Buddha (top left), The Mantra OM MA-NI PAD-ME HUM (top center), Avalokiteśvara (top right). “Monster holding the wheel” signifies that the entire process of cyclic existence is caught within transience/impermanence.
(A) Hub
The Three Poisons: Desire; Hatred, Root Ignorance
Depicted respectively as: Rooster, Pig, Snake
(B) Half Circles Surrounding Hub
Indicate virtuous (white, ascending) and non-virtuous (black descending) actions
(C) Six Transmigrations (Realms of Existence)
(C1) Gods
(C2) Demigods (Devas)
(C3) Humans
(C4) Animals
(C5) Hungry ghosts (Pretas)
(C6) Hell beings
(D) Twelve Links of Dependent Origination: indicated by…
(D1) ignorance: … an old, blind person hobbling with a cane
(D2) compositional action: a potter making a wheel
(D3) consciousness: a monkey
—— cause-consciousness
—— effect-consciousness
(D4) name and form: person(s) in a boat
(D5) sense spheres: an empty house with six windows
(D6) contact: a man and women touching, kissing
(D7) feeling: an arrow in person’s eye
(D8) attachment: persons partying
(D9) grasping: a person grabbing at fruit in a tree
(D10) existence: a couple copulating or pregnant woman
(D11) birth: a women giving birth
(D12) aging and death: person with burdens
Reference: “The Meaning of Life: Buddhist Perspectives on Cause and Effect by His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Surely:
There are those who suffer the torments of war, famine, plague. Surely we are in the realm of hells.
There are those who suffer from greed and can never consume enough. Surely we are in the realm of hungry ghosts.
There are those who suffer from being hunted, preyed upon, enslaved. Surely we are in the realm of beasts.
There are those who suffer the heartaches of humanity and practice compassion. Surely we are in the realm of humans.
There are those who fly in the air, ride in horseless iron chariots. Surely we are in the realm of the Demi-gods.
There are those who can annihilate millions with grave weapons of war. Surely we are in the realm of the Gods.
If I do not practice compassion diligently, if I do not guard my mind, surely I will suffer in Samsara.