Wheel of Life: The Central Teachings of Buddhism

Buddhist scriptures tell us that the Wheel of Life (Sanskrit – Bhavachakra, Tibetan - srid pa'i 'khor lo) was originally taught by the Buddha to the palace artist of a patron king to adorn monastic walls and serve as a visual teaching aid on the fundamental teachings of Buddhism. When Buddhism traveled to Tibet in the 7th century CE it was often painted on a wall of the portico entrance to the main temple.

I first learned about this painting in 1974 while completing my PhD in Buddhist Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under the guidance of Professor Geshe Lhundup Sopa. As part of my graduate assistant duties, I helped Geshe Sopa to create a teaching module based on the Wheel of Life painting that was little known outside the monasteries of Tibet. As a documentary and educational film maker, I thought it would make an excellent teaching film.

Between 1978 – 1981 I had an opportunity to take 35 mm photographs of a number of examples of this painting on the walls of monasteries in Ladakh and the Newark Museum. With the personal guidance of Professor Walter Spink, I traveled to the Ajanta Caves where I photographed this ancient image that had partially survived since the 5th-6th century, but been an enigma to art historians. To make the film, I had my still images enlarged, then placed on an Oxberry animation stand so the camera could move around the details of the Wheel to illustrate the teachings with my accompanying narration.

While the technique worked, the sharpness of the images deteriorated due to the enlargement and further duplication. If that can be forgiven, it is still helpful teaching film since the actual content and narration is based on the authentic Buddhist teachings and approval by Geshe Sopa.

Following are the credits and acknowledgements.

Filmed, Written, Edited and Narrated by
Dr. Edward Bastian

Senior Content Advisor
Geshe Lhundup Sopa

Supported by
Professor Joseph Elder
Department of South Asian Studies
The University of Wisconsin-Madison

Partial Funding by
Steven Rockefeller
US Office of Education

Locations
Ajanta Caves
(With the guidance of Professor Walter Spink)
Newark Museum
Likir Monastery, Ladakh
Spituk Monastery,, Ladakh
Alchi Monastery, Ladakh
Thiksey Monastery, Ladakh

© Edward W. Bastian, 1980
All rights Reserved