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THE WHEEL of LIFE (Bhavacakra)

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THE WHEEL of LIFE (Bhavacakra) THE WHEEL OF LIFE (Bhavacakra): A Study on Buddhist Philosophical Art as Practiced in Pokhari Narayansthan VDC, Kavrepalanchok District A Dissertation Submitted to The Central Department of Buddhist Studies Tribhuvan University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies By SURENDRA KUMAR LAMA (TAMANG) T.U. Reg. No.:- 6-1-20-295-98 CENTRAL DEPARTMENT OF BUDDHIST STUDIES Tribhuvan University Kirtipur, Kathmandu 2017 LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION This thesis entitled “THE WHEEL OF LIFE (Bhavacakra): A Study on Buddhist Philosophical Art as Practiced in Pokhari Narayansthan VDC, Kavrepalanchok” has been prepared by Mr. Surendra Kumar Lama under my supervision. I hereby recommend this thesis for the final examination by the thesis committee as the 21st paper of the requirements for the Semester level Degree of Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies from Tribhuvan University. ______________________ Ved Raj Gnawaly Teaching Assistant. Thesis Supervisor The Central Department of Buddhist Studies, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu. Date: January 31, 2017 LETTER OF APPROVAL This thesis entitled “THE WHEEL OF LIFE (Bhavacakra): A Study on Buddhist Philosophical Art as Practiced in Pokhari Narayansthan VDC, Kavrepalanchok District” submitted by Surendra Kumar Lama (Tamang) has been approved to meet the requirements of the 21st paper of IV Semester of Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies by the expert’s committee comprised of: 1. Associate Professor Dr. Milan Ratna Shakya ___________________ (Head of the Department) 2. Prof. Punya Prasad Parajuli ___________________ (External Examine) 3. Teaching Assistant. Ved Raj Gnawaly ___________________ (Supervisor) Date: Feb. 17, 2017 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This work is the requirement of the 21st paper of IV Semester, M.A. in Buddhist Studies obtained from the Central Department of Buddhist Studies, T.U. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Associate Prof. Dr. Milan Ratna Shakya, the Head of Central Department of Buddhist Studies, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, for providing this opportunity to write a thesis on the topic "THE WHEEL OF LIFE (Bhavacakra): A Study on Buddhist Philosophical Art as Practiced in Pokhari Narayansthan VDC, Kavrepalanchok District". I extend my sincere regards and thanks to Teaching Assistant Ved Raj Gnawaly for his supervision to accomplish the study. I am also grateful to lecturer Dr. Surendra Man Bajracharya for his support while going through the thesis. I am grateful to lecturer Dr. Chandra Kala Ghimire, my friends; Mr. Rajendra Thokar, Mr. Sizar Tamang, and Ashok Bhante for their appropriate support with relevant materials to prepare this dissertation. My special thanks go to my nephew, Mr. Rajan Lama for his co-operation in field visit and photographs. I thank to my wife, Ms. Kabita Kharbuja for support to this study. I express gratitude to my brother, Mr. Nirmal Lama for his support in every step. Finally, I thank to all my teachers, colleagues, friends, relatives and family members for their moral support in this study. ____________________________ Surendra Kumar Lama (Tamang) T.U. Reg. No.:- 6-1-20-295-98 Jan., 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page n. LETEER OF RECOMMENDATION APPROVAL LETTER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT MAP LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1 - 9 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Research Questions 2 1.3 Objectives 2 1.4 Rationale of the Study 2 1.5 Literature Review 2 1.6 Methodology 6 1.7 Limitation of the Study 8 1.8 Limitation of Time 9 CHAPTER 2. INTRODUCTION TO THE WHEEL OF LIFE 10- 25 2.1 Art 10 2.1.1 Buddhist Art 10 2.1.1.1 Origin of Buddhist Art 11 2.1.1.2 Salient Features of Buddhist Art 11 2.1.1.3 Categories of Buddhist Art 11 2.1.1.4 Subject Matters of Buddhist Paintings 12 2.1.1.5 Development of Buddhist Art 12 2.1.2 Icon and Symbol 14 2.2 Introduction to the Wheel of Life (Bhavacakra) 14 2.2.1 Introduction 14 2.2.2 Origin of the Wheel of Life 16 2.2.3 Significance of the Wheel of Life 17 2.2.4 Types of the Wheel of Life 18 2.2.5 Iconographic Description of the Wheel of Life 18 2.2.5.1 Hub 19 2.2.5.2 The Second Layer: The Black and White Segments 19 2.2.5.3 The Third Layer: The Six Realms of Samsara 19 2.2.5.3.1 Deva Loka: Gods Realm 20 2.2.5.3.2 Asura Loka: Demi-god Realm 20 2.2.5.3.3 Manusya Loka: Human Realm 21 2.2.5.3.4 Tiryagyoni Loka: Animal Realm 21 2.2.5.3.5 Preta Loka: Hungry Ghost Realm 22 2.2.5.3.6 Narka Loka: Hell Realm 22 2.2.5.4 The Outer Layer 23 2.2.5.5 Out of the Wheel 23 2.2.5.5.1 The Figure Holding the Wheel 23 2.2.5.5.2 The Buddha 24 2.2.5.5.3 The Moon 24 2.2.5.5.4 At the Bottom: The Stanzas 24 2.2.5.6 Iconographic Variations of the Wheel of Life 24 2.2.5.6.1 Variation at the Hub 24 2.2.5.6.2 Variation at the Second Layer 24 2.2.5.6.3 Variation at the Third Layer 24 2.2.5.6.4 Variation at the Outer Layer 25 2.2.5.6.5 Variation at the Top Right and Left Corner 25 2.2.6 The Illustration of the Wheel of Life within the Theravada Tradition 25 CHAPTER 3. PHILOSOPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE WHEEL OF LIFE (Bhavacakra) 26 - 44 3.1 Study Context 26 3.1.1 The Four Noble Truths 26 3.1.1.1 The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha) 26 3.1.1.2 The Truth of the Cause of Suffering (Samudaya) 26 3.1.1.3 The Truth of the End of Suffering (Nirodha) 27 3.1.1.4 The Truth of the Path leading to the End of Suffering (Magga) 27 3.1.2 Theory of Karma 28 3.1.3 Dependent Origination 28 3.2 Philosophical Description of the Wheel of Life (Bhavacakra) 31 3.2.1 The Hub: The Three Poisons: The Second Noble Truth: The Truth of Cause of Suffering (Samudaya) 32 3.2.2 The Second Layer: The Black and White Segments: Karma 32 3.2.3 Third Layer: The Six Realms of Samsara: The First Noble Truth: The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha) 33 3.2.3.1 Deva Loka: Gods Realm: Being a God Isn’t Perfect 34 3.2.3.2 Asura Loka: Demi-god Realm: Jealous Gods 34 3.2.3.3 Manusya Loka: Human Realm: The Hope of Liberation 35 3.2.3.4 Pashu Loka: Animal Realm: No Sense of Humor 36 3.2.3.5 Preta Loka: Hungry Ghost Realm: Craving That Can Never Be Satisfied 36 3.2.3.6 Naraka Loka: Hell Realm 37 3.2.4 The Outer Layer: The Twelve Causal Links: Dependent Origination 38 3.2.3.1 Ignorance 38 3.2.3.2 Volitional action 39 3.2.3.3 Consciousness 39 3.2.3.4 Name and Form 39 3.2.3.5 Six Sensory Organs 40 3.2.3.6 Contact 40 3.2.3.7 Sensation 40 3.2.3.8 Desire 40 3.2.3.9 Grasping 41 3.2.3.10 Becoming/Existence 41 3.2.3.11 Birth 41 3.2.3.12 Death 41 3.2.5 Out of the Wheel 41 3.2.5.1 The Figure Holding the Wheel: Impermanence 41 3.2.5.2 The Buddha: The Fourth Noble Truth: The Truth of the Path Leading to the End of Suffering 42 3.2.5.3 The Moon: The Third Noble Truth: The Truth of the End of Suffering 42 3.2.5.4 At the Bottom: The Stanzas 43 3.2.6 The Six Realms and Our Mental States (Mind Only Philosophy) 43 CHAPTER 4 BUDDHIST PRACTICE OF THE WHEEL OF LIFE IN TAMANG COMMUNITY 45 - 54 4.1 Study Context 45 4.1.1 Introduction to Tamang 45 4.1.2 dGonpas Among Tamang Community 45 4.1.3 Buddhist Practice 46 4.1.4 Buddhist Practice of the Wheel of Life 46 4.2 Buddhist Practice of the Wheel of Life in Tamang Community 47 4.2.1 The Wheel of Life in Everyday Life 47 4.2.2 The Wheel of Life in Cultural Life 47 4.2.2.1 The Wheel of Life, Mani Recitation and Their Belief 47 4.2.2.2 The Wheel of Life in Funeral Procession 49 4.2.2.3 The Wheel of Life in Bardo 49 4.2.3.1 The Purification of the Six Realms 51 4.2.2.4 The Wheel of Life in Minjyang Procession (Ghewa) 51 4.2.3 The Wheel of Life in Northern Buddhist Art 53 4.2.3.1 The Wheel of Life in Thangka Painting 53 4.2.3.2 The Wheel of Life in Wall Painting of a dGonpa 53 CHAPTER 5. SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 55- 57 5.1 Summary 55 5.2 Findings 56 5.3 Recommendation 57 ANNEXES 58 - 66 ANNEX I: THE DIVYAVADANA 58 ANNEX II: THE SAHADODGATA AVADANA 59 ANNEX III: THE AVALAMBAN SUTRA 60 ANNEX IV: THE HEART OF DEPENDENT ORIGINATION 61 ANNEX V: MAHA-NIDANA SUTTA 62 ANNEX VI: SCHEDULE OF INTERVIEW 63 ANNEX VII: TABLES 64 ANNEX VIII: PLATES BIBLIOGRAPHY 67 -72 LIST OF TABLES Table no. & Titles Page no. I. The Twelve Sense Spheres 40 II.
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