Turning the Wheel of Dharma

 

Begin quote Google AI:

"Turning the wheel of Dharma" in Buddhism symbolizes the Buddha's first sermon, where he taught the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, marking the beginning of the Buddhist path to enlightenment. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Symbolism:

  The phrase "turning the wheel of Dharma" (also known as the "Dharmachakra") is a metaphor for the Buddha's teachings and the process of spreading and practicing them. 

  
  

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• First Sermon:

  It specifically refers to the Buddha's first sermon, delivered at Sarnath, India, after his enlightenment. 
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Four Noble Truths:
In this sermon, the Buddha explained the Four Noble Truths: the truth of suffering, the truth of the origin of suffering, the truth of the cessation of suffering, and the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering. 


Eightfold Path:
He also outlined the Eightfold Path, a practical guide for achieving enlightenment through right understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration. 


Continuous Cycle:
The wheel symbolizes a continuous cycle of teaching, learning, and practicing the Dharma, leading towards enlightenment. 


Three Turnings:
Some Buddhist traditions also discuss "three turnings of the wheel of Dharma" or "three rounds of transmission of the Dharma," which represent different stages or aspects of the Buddha's teachings. 


Prayer Wheels:
The concept of the prayer wheel, which is a physical manifestation of the phrase “turning the wheel of Dharma,” is used to accumulate wisdom and merit (good karma) and to purify negativities (bad karma).