Kumbum Monastery Debate College: Wheel of Rebirth

CHINA, Qinghai, Xining; Qing dynasty

The Wheel of Rebirth, a visual representation of the six realms of existence, is often portrayed in Tibetan Buddhist murals and thangkas. This mural, painted between the 18th and 19th century, is located in the Debate College of the Kumbum Monastery.
The wheel is tightly held in the limbs and mouth of Yama, who represents death. Yama wears a crown of skulls, and has intense, wide eyes that stare straight at the viewer. The rooster, snake, and pig drawn in the center of the wheel represent greed, hatred, and ignorance. These are the causes of endless rebirths and suffering. The second ring represents the path to the three lower realms. The six large segments that surround the central circle depict the six realms of existence. The thin white section on the lower right represents the path to the three higher realms. The segment at the bottom illustrates the realms of the hungry ghosts and hell. Moving in a clockwise direction, the other segments depict the realms of the animals, humans, heavenly beings, and asuras. The outer ring of the wheel contains twelve small scenes that illustrate the concept of dependent origination.