Regular events

Dharma Monday

The Wheel of Life and its secrets

The symbol of the Wheel of Life has within it the whole of the Buddhist tradition. Before the printed word, this image contained everything you needed to know to practise the teachings of the Buddha. However, as with any detailed symbols, you needed someone to introduce you to its secrets.

Do you want to discover more about Buddhism? change the world around you? or simply improve your own life? If so, the essential secrets of the Wheel of Life might be of some help. Come and find out.

Facing the snake

In the hub of the wheel are three animals: a pig, a snake, and a rooster. They chase each other around and around, each having in its mouth the tail of the other. They represent the three poisons. The pig stands for ignorance; this comparison is based on the Indian concept of a pig being the most foolish of animals, since it sleeps in the dirtiest places and eats whatever comes to its mouth. The snake represents aversion or anger; this is because it will be aroused and strike at the slightest touch. The rooster represents craving/delusion (also translated as desire or clinging). From these three poisons, the whole cycle of existence evolves.

On this evening with Mary Anna we will explore the symbolism of the snake. Although often referred to as hatred, the snake traditionally represents anything unpleasant we want to avoid. We will look at how turning towards the things we despise allows the negative thoughts and feelings we have to loosen their grip on us. We will explore the different types of hatred in Buddhist thought and the antidotes proposed by the Buddha. We will also practise techniques which allow us to come face to face with our own personal snakes so that we may approach our life and circumstances with a freer heart.

Here's what someone wrote recently about this theme:

my feeling is that you could spend twice the amount of time on it and still find much to explore - for example each of the realms has something to say about our modern world - consumerism and the hungry ghost realm, addiction and the god realm, rising anxiety and the hell realms. Also the inner wheel, I feel that hatred and greed and delusion are each topics in themselves. The gap, mind reactive vs mind creative, the proliferation of thoughts, such great concepts that have the ability to change how we engage with life. So much symbolism, so much to engage with.

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These evenings start in the shrine room and end somewhere between 8:30 and 9pm. There will be an opportunity to ask your questions about Buddhism, both formally and informally.

Dharma Night is suitable for everyone, regardless of their level of experience or exposure to Buddhism. If you like what you find we recommend that you sign up for one of our introductory Buddhist meditation courses. These courses provide a systematic introduction to Buddhist meditation practise.

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