Ethical Work Practices		Balanced Relations
The Dharmachakra represents the principles of right action and ethical living, which are key to meaningful and fulfilling work. Its teachings, such as the Noble Eightfold Path, encourage mindfulness, integrity, and purpose in professional life. By following these principles, you can cultivate a sense of balance and satisfaction in their occupational endeavors.		The Dharmachakra symbolizes inner harmony and the journey toward enlightenment. Its representation of cycles and continuous movement reflects resilience, emotional balance, and the ability to adapt to life's changes. By meditating on the Dharmachakra’s meaning, you can develop compassion, self-awareness, and emotional strength.

DHARMACHAKRA

Presence of dharmachakra is a reminder of the ongoing journey toward wisdom, ethics, and enlightenment that transcends individual life cycles, connecting the practitioner to a larger, universal purpose.

Structure and Elements of Dharmachakra

The Wheel Itself: The circular shape of the Dharmachakra symbolizes the perfection and continuity of the Dharma (spiritual law) and the endless cycle of samsara (birth, life, death, and rebirth). It reminds practitioners of the universal truths that transcend time.

The Hub: At the center of the Dharmachakra is a hub, often depicted with three swirls or shapes symbolizing the Three Jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Dharma (teachings), and the Sangha (community). This hub represents the stabilization of one’s mind and the importance of a central focus in spiritual practice.

The Spokes: The Dharmachakra typically has eight spokes, representing the Noble Eightfold Path, which is the pathway to end suffering and attain enlightenment. Each spoke represents an element of this path:

Right View -Right Intention -Right Speech -Right Action -Right Livelihood -Right Effort -Right Mindfulness -Right Concentration

Together, they guide the practitioner toward balanced and ethical living, leading toward enlightenment.

The Rim: The outer rim of the wheel binds the spokes, symbolizing mindfulness and concentration that hold all aspects of the path together. It emphasizes the need for consistency and focus to maintain spiritual progress.

Symbolic History & Interpretations

The concept of a wheel symbolizing cosmic order predates Buddhism, appearing in Vedic texts and other ancient Indian philosophies. It represented the cyclical nature of time and existence, embodying the rhythm of life, death, and rebirth.

While primarily a Buddhist symbol, the Dharmachakra also appears in Hinduism and Jainism, representing similar ideas of righteous living and cosmic order. In Hinduism, for instance, it can also be seen as Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra, symbolizing divine protection and the eradication of chaos to maintain order.

 After his enlightenment, Buddha delivered his first sermon in Sarnath, referred to as the Dharmachakrapravartana or "Turning the Wheel of Dharma." The wheel symbolized the unfolding of the teachings of Buddha and the start of a new spiritual era.

When a wheel has twenty four spokes; the first 12 spokes represent 12 stages of suffering. Next 12 spokes (reverse spoke) represent no cause no effect. This means, formation of mental conditioning stops due to awareness of mind. These 12 and reverse 12 (a total 24) spokes represent the dharma. 24 spoke dharma wheels called "Ashoka chakra" are found on the pillars erected by Ashoka the Great (304-232 BCE), an emperor who ruled much of India and beyond. Ashoka was a great patron of Buddhism and encouraged its spread. In 1947, the government of India adopted a new national flag, in the centre of which is a navy blue Ashoka Chakra on a white background.

Dharmachakra