Mr. Jones @ Applewild School

Religion: The Wheel of Life

Our study of South Asian religions included an explanation of reincarnation, a belief that is embraced by hundreds of millions of people in this region. The Buddhist belief in Samsara: the cyclic existence of birth, death and rebirth is understood more clearly after a "walk" through the wheel of life.

                                       

"The wheel of life, a detailed representation of the Tibetan belief in the transmigratory nature of existence, explains the theory of rebirth. The form in which beings are reborn into the universe depends upon their yearnings, prayers, and the amount of merit and demerit (KARMA) they have stored up in their past lives."(Tibet Ed. Network @ Global Source)


                                                                           
               


Embark on an interactive tour of the wheel of life ...........................


Reflection Questions:

1. Choose one of the diagrams above and explain its connection to the wheel of life.

2. Explain the significance of what the Buddha brings to "the picture" in the few instances
        where he is mentioned in the tour.

3. Explain the section of the wheel that appeals to you the most. Why?



 
 
This site was created by Matthew Foglia and Mrs. Smith of Shrewsbury Highschool at the NEH Summer Institute " Cultures and Religions of the Himalayan Region ," held at the College of the Holy Cross .