Nepalese Guoache Painting of "The Wheel of Life" by Puran Sakya

Item Details

A Nepalese gouache painting of The Wheel of Life (Bhavacakramudrā) by Puran Sakya. The painting depicts the saṃsāra, the Buddhist cycle of reincarnation and transmigration. At the center of the wheel are a snake, a boar, and a cock. These three animals represent the three cardinal sins: anger, ignorance, and lust, respectively. In the next circle, the dark half signifies the downward path, while the light half the upward path. The next circle, divided into six areas represents the Conditions of Existence. The outermost circle is divided in twelve and depicts the events leading death and rebirth. The entire wheel is held in the jaws of a figure, probably Yama the Lord of Death, wearing a crown of five skulls. His ferocious visage symbolizes the futility of clinging to life, and a reminder that saṃsāra is impermanent and always in flux. The work is presented behind glass with a thin black frame.

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Item #

16COL072-167