This painting is one of the most unique presentations of the worldly condition. It follows somewhat the theoretical formula of a Wheel of Life painting but diverges dramatically with a heavy emphasis on the image of Yama and a detailed depiction of the Buddhist Hell Realms. What is clearly missing in this example compared with the more traditional compositions are [1] the circular format, [2] the outer circle with images representing each of the Twelve Links of Dependent Arising and [3] the Three Animals representing the three poisons - rooster, pig and snake, at the hub of the Wheel of Life.
Six Interesting Things About the Wheel of Life
1. The Earliest (oldest) painting: Ajanta Cave
2. The most correct personification of death (no ornaments)
3. The best depiction based on drawing and line work
4. Briefest symbolic depiction of the Wheel of Life
5. Most unique depiction of the Wheel of Life
6. The biggest depiction (carved rock relief): Dazu, China
