3. The Second Layer: Karma (Cause and Effect)
Surrounding the hub is a ring typically divided into two halves:

Light Half: Depicts people ascending, indicating positive actions (good karma) leading to higher, more fortunate rebirths.

Dark Half: Shows people descending, illustrating negative actions (bad karma) leading to lower, more suffering-filled rebirths.
This layer visually explains the law of karma – every action, thought, and word has consequences that determine future experiences.

4. The Six Realms of Samsara
The largest section of the wheel is divided into six segments, representing the Six Realms of Existence into which beings can be reborn, based on their karma. These can be understood as actual places of rebirth or as psychological states:

Higher Realms (Fortunate Births):

God Realm (Devas): Beings here experience immense pleasure, luxury, and long lives. However, their enjoyment can make them complacent, leading them to forget the Dharma and eventually fall back into lower realms when their good karma is exhausted.

Demigod/Jealous God Realm (Asuras): These beings are powerful and enjoy some pleasures but are plagued by jealousy, envy, and conflict, constantly striving for what the gods have.

Human Realm: This is considered the most precious realm because it offers a unique balance of pleasure and suffering. Humans have enough suffering to motivate them to seek liberation, but also enough intelligence and opportunity to practice the Dharma. It's the only realm from which one can truly achieve enlightenment.

>>40746751
I am a gardener in the garden. I walked 9 lifetimes to get to here to be where you are.