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Dharma Wheel
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Dharma Wheel
CHINA; Qing dynasty (1644–1911); Silver; H: 47 cm, Diameter: 24 cm; Tibet Museum, Lhasa, Tibet, China
The Dharma wheel represents three important things: Dharma, the continuous spread of the Dharma, and the destruction of evil. Offering a Dharma wheel symbolizes a request of the Buddha to reveal his teachings.
This Dharma wheel has 12 concentric rings. It is in the shape of a lotus petal, with a scroll leaf pattern on the outermost ring, and a beaded pattern along the edge. The hub is decorated with a ripple pattern. In between each ring, there are tiny spokes with approximately 1,000 small holes representing Buddha niches, symbolic of offerings to the Thousand Buddhas. Thus, this piece is also known as the Thousand Buddhas Dharma Wheel. |
