MONGOLIAN COLLECTABLES

Affiliated with http://stores.ebay.com/mongoliancollectables

Home     Statues    Thankga    Gao    Ghanta     Sutras    Payment    Shipping    About me     MP3's     Contact Me

Rare Late 18^th Century Mongolian Dharmachakra or Wheel of Law

It is extremely uncommon to find such a remarkable Mongolian artefact in today’s market – most silver artefacts were smelted down long ago in the Stalinist suppressions of the early-twentieth century and the economic hardship of contemporary Mongolia has done little to conserve the remaining pieces circulating outside of monastic halls or museums.

The eight-spoked Dharmachakra, or Wheel of Law, is a central symbol in Buddhist iconography and represents the collective teachings of Buddha - known as the dharma (or universal law). Like the wheel of a cart that keeps turning, it symbolizes Buddha's teaching as it continues to spread endlessly. The Wheel of Dharma is also one of the eight auspicious symbols of Mongolian and Tibetan Buddhism. The term dharmachakra is derived from chakra, the sanskrit word for "wheel".

To the Buddhist practitioner the symbolism of the dharmachakra is multifaceted:

• its overall shape is that of a circle - representing the perfection of the dharma teaching;
• the hub of the wheel evokes discipline (essential to meditative practice);
• the eight spokes represent the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddha and are said to have sharp edges to cut through ignorance; and
• the rim, which holds the spokes, refers to mindfulness (Samadhi) which holds everything together.

The ancient Noble Eightfold Path was rediscovered by Guatama Buddha in his quest for enlightenment. It is a practice that will lead the practitioner toward self-realisation, liberation and ultimate enlightenment. Its practice varies from one Buddhist school to another and it was revealed by the Buddha to his disciples in the following terms:.

I saw an ancient path, an ancient road, traveled by the Rightly Self-awakened Ones of former times. And what is that ancient path, that ancient road, traveled by the Rightly Self-awakened Ones of former times? Just this noble eightfold path: right view, right aspiration, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration......(Nagara Sutra)

This Mongolian Wheel of Law is thus very special. It is formed of hand beaten silver and decorated with coral and seed pearls. Although of modest proportions it has a profound presence. It is quite simply a remarkable vehicle for contemplation and meditation. It draws the eye and quietens the mind – through the cycle of breath the practitioner is able through this wheel to engage with the essential tenets of Buddhism. Its circular form is a potent symbol of unity and at the same time, infinity – Being as One, without beginning or end.

If you would like to see more pictures, please don't hesitate to ask and I will send you a zip file full of them.

All rights reserved.  Mongoliancollectables. 2007