The Dharma Wheel is the most recognized symbol around the world as representing Buddhism. As such, it is a powerful tattoo design, potent with symbolism.
The Buddha's teachings are known as the "dharma". Early Buddhists visualized their maste's teachings as a wheel that would roll through a person's life inspiring radical spiritual change. The Wheel would also roll from one end of the known world to the other, spreading the dharma teaching as it went. And in truth, it did, starting in India and moving into Central Asia, then South East Asia, and Japan - and it hasn't stopped yet.
The Dharma Wheel is also described as "turning", by which is meant an "advancing" from simpler to more complex phases of the teachings. The first turning is synonymous with Buddha's initial gathering with disciples after his enlightenment. Here, Buddha laid down the "Four Noble Truths" (see below). The second turning is referred to as the "Perfection of Wisdom", which inspired the Mahayana school of Buddhism. The third turning forms the basis of Tantric Buddhism.
Below you will find a gallery of inspirational images that will help you in your quest of creating the perfect Dharma Wheel tattoo.
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