Editing Bhavacakra (section)

===Elements of the ''bhavachakra''===
[[Image:Bhavachakra.jpg|thumb|upright|left]]
The ''bhavachakra'' consists of the following elements: 
# The pig, rooster and snake in the hub of the wheel represent the [[Three poisons (Buddhism)|three poisons]] of ignorance, attachment and aversion.
# The second layer represents [[karma in Buddhism|karma]], with one half showing a person reaping the results of negative actions whilst the other half shows a person reaping the results of positive actions.
# The third layer represents [[Saṃsāra (Buddhism)|samsara]] and its [[Six Paths]].
# The fourth layer represents the [[twelve nidanas|twelve links of dependent origination]].
# The fierce figure holding the wheel represents [[impermanence]]. It is also [[Yama]], the god of death.<ref name=impermanence>Dalai Lama (1992), p. 42–43.</ref>
# The moon above the wheel represents [[Nirvana (Buddhism)|liberation]] from samsara or cyclic existence.
# The [[Buddha]] pointing to the white circle indicates that liberation is possible.

Symbolically, the three inner circles, moving from the center outward, show that the three poisons of ignorance, attachment, and aversion give rise to positive and negative actions; these actions and their results are called karma. Karma in turn gives rise to the six realms, which represent the different types of suffering within samsara.

The fourth and outer layer of the wheel symbolizes the twelve links of dependent origination; these links indicate ''how'' the sources of suffering that the three poisons and karma produce live within cyclic existence.

The fierce being holding the wheel represents impermanence; this symbolizes that the entire process of samsara or cyclic existence is impermanent, transient, constantly changing.  The moon above the wheel indicates liberation. The Buddha is pointing to the moon, indicating that liberation from samsara is possible.<ref>Dalai Lama (1992), p. 41-43.</ref><ref>Sonam Rinchen (2006), p. 8-9.</ref>

[[File:Three poisons at hub of wheel.jpg|thumb|alt=Hub of painting depicting pig snake and bird|Three poisons]]