Wed PRACTICE Night:
The Wheel of Life

Later Buddhist tradition was very good at producing visual images which illustrated Buddhist teachings without the use of words. One of these images is the Tibetan Wheel of Life or Bhavachakra which is a symbolic representation of samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhist philosophy. It visually illustrates the Six Realms of existence, the Three Poisons (ignorance, attachment, and aversion) and the endless round of suffering that we impose on ourselves.

At the centre of the Wheel, there is a pig, snake, and rooster, symbolizing the three poisons that keep beings trapped in the cycle of suffering. Surrounding them are depictions of karma, showing beings ascending or descending based on their actions. The outer ring represents the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination, explaining how suffering arises and perpetuates.

The entire Wheel is held by Yama, the Lord of Death, signifying impermanence. 

During these four practice nights we will be looking at the wheel in detail, seeing how it holds up a mirror to our own lives and how we can escape from it.

Wednesday 28th May: Introduction to the Wheel of Life and the pig, snake, and rooster at the Hub.

Wednesday 4th June: The Six Realms of Existence

Wednesday 11th June: The Outer Rim and the endless rounds of suffering

Wednesday 18th June: The Way off the Wheel - The Spiral Path

All over 18 are welcome. You do not need to be a Buddhist or wish to be one to attend.

DONATIONS: York Buddhist Centre has no outside income or support and no one is paid. These classes are given freely in a spirit of friendship. However we do have rent to pay and utilities and other running costs and we could not meet these without the generous support of those who use our centre. So, if you can, we ask you to make a donation either when you book or each week when you attend.  We suggest £10 each week but please give more or less according to your means.