About this work
The Wheel of the Law represents the cycle of birth, death and rebirth, known as samsara, as well as the Buddha’s teachings of the path to enlightenment and escape from the suffering inherent in the cycle of samsara. The Buddha is said to have set the Wheel of the Law in motion when he gave his first sermon at the Deer Park in Sarnath. Buddhist works of art depict teachers and saints holding a Wheel of the Law, indicating their right to both teach and rule. The Wheel is also one of the eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Tibet
Accession Number
2880A-D3
Department
Asian Art
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation
Physical description
Central wheel form surrounded by scrolling clouds, on lotus base.