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dharmachakra
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Gold dharma wheel with eight spokes flanked by two gold deer statues on the roof of Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet, against a clear blue sky. Stone dharmachakra wheel with intricate carvings stands upright on a stone base at the Si Thep ruins in Thailand, with trees and ancient stone walls in the background. Stone relief sculpture from the Kushan dynasty shows the Buddha seated and teaching surrounded by disciples, with deer and a dharma wheel below, representing the First Sermon at Sarnath. Illustration of a golden dharma wheel (dharmachakra) on a red background, with each of its eight spokes labeled to represent the steps of the Buddhist Eightfold Path, including right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration. Dharmachakramudra (wheel of dharma hand symbol) Stone sculpture of four back-to-back lions atop a pillar, known as the Ashoka lions, the national emblem of India, with a carved wheel and animal figures below. Flag of India
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Gold dharma wheel with eight spokes flanked by two gold deer statues on the roof of Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet, against a clear blue sky.
Dharmachakra and two deer An eight-spoked wheel of dharma (dharmachakra) in gold flanked by two deer and sitting atop the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet.

dharmachakra

Buddhism
Also known as: ☸, dhammacakka, dharma chakra, dharmacakra, wheel of dharma, wheel of the law(Show More)
Written by
Charles Preston
Charles Preston is Associate Editor for Religion at Encyclopædia Britannica.
Charles Preston
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

dharmachakra, in Buddhism, a symbol representing the Buddhist concept of dharma (Pali: dhamma), the doctrine taught by the Buddha. The wheel of dharma originates from the significance of the wheel (Sanskrit: chakra) in ancient Indian symbolism of kingship rooted in the use of chariots for warfare. The dharmachakra appears frequently in Buddhist art and sculpture as a representation of the Buddhist teaching. The dharmachakra with eight spokes has become a widespread symbol of Buddhism and...

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