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Difference between revisions of "Gankyil"

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[[Image:Sam Taeguk.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Gankyil]]
 
[[Image:Sam Taeguk.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Gankyil]]
The [[Gankyil]] (Standard [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[དགའ་འཁྱིལ་]]}}) is a [[symbol]] and [[ritual]] tool in [[Tibetan Buddhism]], [[Bön]], [[Himalayan]] [[Shamanism]] and [[Japanese Buddhism]] [[Korean Buddhism]]. In [[Bön]] and [[Nyingma]] [[Dzogchen Monastery|Dzogchen]] [[lineages]], the [[Gankyil]] is the principal [[symbol]] and [[teaching]] tool:  it is [[symbolic]] of [[primordial]] [[energy]] and represents the central unity and indivisibility of all the [[teaching]], [[philosophical]] and [[doctrinal]] [[triune]] of [[Dzogchen]] (and quadrune of the greater [[Buddhadharma]] such as the [[Four Noble Truths]] and the '[[Four Joys]]' of the [[Bonpo]]). It is an attribute of the [[Snow Lion]].
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The [[Gankyil]] (Standard [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[དགའ་འཁྱིལ་]]}}) is a [[symbol]] and [[ritual]] tool in [[Tibetan Buddhism]], [[Bön]], [[Himalayan]] [[Shamanism]] and [[Japanese Buddhism]] [[Korean Buddhism]].  
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In [[Bön]] and [[Nyingma]] [[Dzogchen Monastery|Dzogchen]] [[lineages]], the [[Gankyil]] is the principal [[symbol]] and [[teaching]] tool:   
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it is [[symbolic]] of [[primordial]] [[energy]] and represents the central unity and indivisibility of all the [[teaching]], [[philosophical]] and [[doctrinal]] [[triune]] of [[Dzogchen]] (and quadrune of the greater [[Buddhadharma]] such as the [[Four Noble Truths]] and the '[[Four Joys]]' of the [[Bonpo]]). It is an attribute of the [[Snow Lion]].
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According to [[Norbu]] & Shane:
 
According to [[Norbu]] & Shane:
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::The [[Gankyil]], or ‘[[Wheel of Joy]]’, can clearly be seen to reflect the inseparability and [[interdependence]] of all the groups of three in the [[Dzogchen]] [[teaching]], but perhaps most particularly it shows the inseparability of the Base, the [[Path]], and the [[Fruit]]. And since [[Dzogchen]], the [[Great Perfection]], is [[essentially]] the self-perfected indivisibility of the [[primordial state]], it naturally requires a [[non-dual]] [[symbol]] to represent it.
 
::The [[Gankyil]], or ‘[[Wheel of Joy]]’, can clearly be seen to reflect the inseparability and [[interdependence]] of all the groups of three in the [[Dzogchen]] [[teaching]], but perhaps most particularly it shows the inseparability of the Base, the [[Path]], and the [[Fruit]]. And since [[Dzogchen]], the [[Great Perfection]], is [[essentially]] the self-perfected indivisibility of the [[primordial state]], it naturally requires a [[non-dual]] [[symbol]] to represent it.
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::—[[Norbu]] & Shane, [[The Crystal and the Way of Light]]
 
::—[[Norbu]] & Shane, [[The Crystal and the Way of Light]]
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According to Déchen & Ngak’chang:
 
According to Déchen & Ngak’chang:
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:The structure of [[Dzogchen]] teachings is always in groups of three – such as base, [[path]] and [[fruit]] – but although they are divided in this way their indivisibility is emphasised by [[symbols]] such as the [[melong]] ([[me long]]) and of the [[ga’kyil]] ([[dGa’ dKyil]]).
 
:The structure of [[Dzogchen]] teachings is always in groups of three – such as base, [[path]] and [[fruit]] – but although they are divided in this way their indivisibility is emphasised by [[symbols]] such as the [[melong]] ([[me long]]) and of the [[ga’kyil]] ([[dGa’ dKyil]]).
 
::—Déchen & Ngak’chang, [[Dzogchen]] [[transmission]] of the [[non-dual]] state
 
::—Déchen & Ngak’chang, [[Dzogchen]] [[transmission]] of the [[non-dual]] state
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==Nomenclature, {{Wiki|orthography}} and {{Wiki|etymology}}==
 
==Nomenclature, {{Wiki|orthography}} and {{Wiki|etymology}}==
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[[Gankyil]] <big><big><big>{{BigTibetan|[[དགའ་འཁྱིལ]]}}</big></big></big> (Wylie: [[dga'_'khyil]]), ({{Wiki|equivalent}} [[Sanskrit]]: [[ananda-chakra]]), pronounced "ganshey" or "ganshee", is formed from the words dga' ("[[joy]], {{Wikidictionary|elation}}, [[rapture]], [[bliss]], {{Wiki|ecstasy}}, [[beauty]], total [[happiness]]" i.e. the opposite of [[dukkha]]) and '[[khyil]] ("[[swirling]]; circle, ring, bracelet, coil,[[mandala]], a place where [[water]] flows"). Thus, it may be rendered into English as "bliss-whirling" or "[[wheel]] of [[joy]]".
 
[[Gankyil]] <big><big><big>{{BigTibetan|[[དགའ་འཁྱིལ]]}}</big></big></big> (Wylie: [[dga'_'khyil]]), ({{Wiki|equivalent}} [[Sanskrit]]: [[ananda-chakra]]), pronounced "ganshey" or "ganshee", is formed from the words dga' ("[[joy]], {{Wikidictionary|elation}}, [[rapture]], [[bliss]], {{Wiki|ecstasy}}, [[beauty]], total [[happiness]]" i.e. the opposite of [[dukkha]]) and '[[khyil]] ("[[swirling]]; circle, ring, bracelet, coil,[[mandala]], a place where [[water]] flows"). Thus, it may be rendered into English as "bliss-whirling" or "[[wheel]] of [[joy]]".
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===Orthographies===
 
===Orthographies===
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{{Wiki|Sam-Taegeuk}} (三太極) (삼태극)(Samtaegeuk) (통일 한국의) (서울)
 
{{Wiki|Sam-Taegeuk}} (三太極) (삼태극)(Samtaegeuk) (통일 한국의) (서울)
  
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[[File:Thrikheb.jpg|thumb|250px|A ''thrikheb'' ([[throne cover]]) from 19th century {{Wiki|Bhutan}}. [[Throne]] covers were placed atop the [[temple]] cushions used by high [[lamas]]. The central circular swirling quadrune is the [[Gankyil]] in its mode as the "[[Four Joys]]".]]
 
[[File:Thrikheb.jpg|thumb|250px|A ''thrikheb'' ([[throne cover]]) from 19th century {{Wiki|Bhutan}}. [[Throne]] covers were placed atop the [[temple]] cushions used by high [[lamas]]. The central circular swirling quadrune is the [[Gankyil]] in its mode as the "[[Four Joys]]".]]
 
[[File:Flag_of_Sikkim_monarchy.png|thumb|250px|Flag of Sikkim]]
 
[[File:Flag_of_Sikkim_monarchy.png|thumb|250px|Flag of Sikkim]]
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In addition to linking the [[gankyil]] with the "[[wish-fulfilling jewel]]" (Skt. [[cintamani]]), [[Robert Beer]] makes the following connections:
 
In addition to linking the [[gankyil]] with the "[[wish-fulfilling jewel]]" (Skt. [[cintamani]]), [[Robert Beer]] makes the following connections:
 
:    The [[gakyil]] or '[[wheel of joy]]' is depicted in a similar [[form]] to the {{Wiki|ancient}} {{Wiki|Chinese}} {{Wiki|yin-yang}} [[symbol]], but its swirling central hub is usually composed of either three or four [[sections]]. The [[Tibetan]] [[term dga]]' is used to describe all [[forms]] of [[joy]], [[delight]], and [[pleasure]], and the term '[[khyil]] means to circle or spin. The [[wheel of joy]] is commonly depicted at the central hub of the [[dharmachakra]], where its three or four swirls may represent the [[Three Jewels]] and victory over the [[three poisons]], or the [[Four Noble Truths]] and the four [[directions]]. As a [[symbol]] of the [[Three Jewels]] it may also appear as the 'triple-eyed' or [[wish-granting gem]] of the [[chakravartin]]. In the [[Dzogchen]] [[tradition]] the three swirls of the [[gakyil]] primarily [[symbolize]] the {{Wiki|trinity}} of the base, [[path]], and fruit.
 
:    The [[gakyil]] or '[[wheel of joy]]' is depicted in a similar [[form]] to the {{Wiki|ancient}} {{Wiki|Chinese}} {{Wiki|yin-yang}} [[symbol]], but its swirling central hub is usually composed of either three or four [[sections]]. The [[Tibetan]] [[term dga]]' is used to describe all [[forms]] of [[joy]], [[delight]], and [[pleasure]], and the term '[[khyil]] means to circle or spin. The [[wheel of joy]] is commonly depicted at the central hub of the [[dharmachakra]], where its three or four swirls may represent the [[Three Jewels]] and victory over the [[three poisons]], or the [[Four Noble Truths]] and the four [[directions]]. As a [[symbol]] of the [[Three Jewels]] it may also appear as the 'triple-eyed' or [[wish-granting gem]] of the [[chakravartin]]. In the [[Dzogchen]] [[tradition]] the three swirls of the [[gakyil]] primarily [[symbolize]] the {{Wiki|trinity}} of the base, [[path]], and fruit.
 
::    —Robert Beer, The Handbook of [[Tibetan Buddhist]] [[Symbols]]
 
::    —Robert Beer, The Handbook of [[Tibetan Buddhist]] [[Symbols]]
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The [[Gankyil]] as the inner [[wheel]] of the [[Dharmachakra]] is depicted on the [[Flag]] of {{Wiki|Sikkim}}.
 
The [[Gankyil]] as the inner [[wheel]] of the [[Dharmachakra]] is depicted on the [[Flag]] of {{Wiki|Sikkim}}.
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==Associated triunes==
 
==Associated triunes==
 
===Ground, [[path]] and fruit===
 
===Ground, [[path]] and fruit===
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* '[[Ground of Being (Dzogchen)|ground]]' or 'base' ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[གཞི]]}}, Wylie: [[gzhi]])
 
* '[[Ground of Being (Dzogchen)|ground]]' or 'base' ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[གཞི]]}}, Wylie: [[gzhi]])
 
* '[[path]]' or '[[method]]' ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|ལམ}}, Wylie: [[lam]])
 
* '[[path]]' or '[[method]]' ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|ལམ}}, Wylie: [[lam]])
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*    [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|ལེན་པ་}} [[len pa]]),([[Sanskrit]]: [[Upādāna]]
 
*    [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|ལེན་པ་}} [[len pa]]),([[Sanskrit]]: [[Upādāna]]
 
*    [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|སྲེད་པ}} [[sred pa]]),([[Sanskrit]]: [[Tṛṣṇā]]
 
*    [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|སྲེད་པ}} [[sred pa]]),([[Sanskrit]]: [[Tṛṣṇā]]
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===Three humours of [[traditional]] [[Tibetan medicine]]===
 
===Three humours of [[traditional]] [[Tibetan medicine]]===
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[[Attributes]] connected with the three humors ([[Sanskrit]]: [[tridoshas]], [[Tibetan]]: [[Nyipa gsum]]):
 
[[Attributes]] connected with the three humors ([[Sanskrit]]: [[tridoshas]], [[Tibetan]]: [[Nyipa gsum]]):
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*    [[Desire]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[འདོད་ཆགས།]]}} ’[[dod chags]]) is aligned with the humor [[Wind]] ([[Tibetan]]: <big><big><big>{{BigTibetan|[[རླུང་།]]}}</big></big></big> [[Lung]] [[rlung]], [[Sanskrit]]: [[vata]] - "[[air]] and [[aether]] constitution")
 
*    [[Desire]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[འདོད་ཆགས།]]}} ’[[dod chags]]) is aligned with the humor [[Wind]] ([[Tibetan]]: <big><big><big>{{BigTibetan|[[རླུང་།]]}}</big></big></big> [[Lung]] [[rlung]], [[Sanskrit]]: [[vata]] - "[[air]] and [[aether]] constitution")
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*    [[Hatred]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[ཞེ་སྡང་།]]}} [[zhe sdang]]) is aligned with the humor {{Wiki|Bile}} ([[Tibetan]]: <big><big><big>{{BigTibetan|[[མཁྲིས་པ།]]}}</big></big></big> [[Tripa mkhris pa]], [[Sanskrit]]: [[pitta]] - "[[fire]] and [[water]] constitution")
 
*    [[Hatred]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[ཞེ་སྡང་།]]}} [[zhe sdang]]) is aligned with the humor {{Wiki|Bile}} ([[Tibetan]]: <big><big><big>{{BigTibetan|[[མཁྲིས་པ།]]}}</big></big></big> [[Tripa mkhris pa]], [[Sanskrit]]: [[pitta]] - "[[fire]] and [[water]] constitution")
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*    [[Ignorance]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[གཏི་མུག]]}} [[gti mug]]) is aligned with the humor {{Wiki|Phlegm}} ([[Tibetan]]: <big><big><big>{{BigTibetan|[[བད་ཀན།]]}}</big></big></big> Badkanbad kan, [[Sanskrit]]: kapha - "[[earth]] and [[water]] constitution").
 
*    [[Ignorance]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[གཏི་མུག]]}} [[gti mug]]) is aligned with the humor {{Wiki|Phlegm}} ([[Tibetan]]: <big><big><big>{{BigTibetan|[[བད་ཀན།]]}}</big></big></big> Badkanbad kan, [[Sanskrit]]: kapha - "[[earth]] and [[water]] constitution").
  
===Three [[Treasures]] of Everlasting [[Bon]]===
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For the [[Bonpo]], the [[Gankyil]] denotes the three principal '[[terma]]' (Tibetan:{{BigTibetan|གཏེར་མ།}}) or "[[treasure]]" cycles of Everlasting [[Bon]], the 'Northern Treasure'Tibetan: <big>{{BigTibetan|[[བྱང་གཏེར]]}}</big>་(Wylie: [[byang gter]]), the 'Central [[Treasure]]' [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[དབུས་གཏེར་]]}}(Wylie: [[dbus]] gter), and the 'Southern Treasure'Tibetan: {{BigTibetan|[[ལྷོ་གཏེར་]]}} (Wylie: lho gter). The Northern [[Treasure]] is compiled from texts revealed in [[Zhangzhung]] and northern [[Tibet]], the Southern [[Treasure]] from texts revealed in [[Bhutan]] and the southern area of [[Tibet]], and the Central [[Treasure]] from texts revealed in central [[Tibet]] close to [[Samye Monastery]].
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===[[Three Treasures of Everlasting Bon]]===
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For the [[Bonpo]], the [[Gankyil]] denotes the three principal '[[terma]]' (Tibetan:{{BigTibetan|གཏེར་མ།}}) or "[[treasure]]" cycles of Everlasting [[Bon]], the 'Northern Treasure'Tibetan: <big>{{BigTibetan|[[བྱང་གཏེར]]}}</big>་(Wylie: [[byang gter]]), the 'Central [[Treasure]]' [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[དབུས་གཏེར་]]}}(Wylie: [[dbus gter]]), and the 'Southern Treasure'Tibetan: {{BigTibetan|[[ལྷོ་གཏེར་]]}} (Wylie: lho gter).  
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The Northern [[Treasure]] is compiled from texts revealed in [[Zhangzhung]] and northern [[Tibet]], the Southern [[Treasure]] from texts revealed in [[Bhutan]] and the southern area of [[Tibet]], and the Central [[Treasure]] from texts revealed in central [[Tibet]] close to [[Samye Monastery]].
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===[[Learning]], {{Wiki|Reflection}} and [[Meditation]]===
 
===[[Learning]], {{Wiki|Reflection}} and [[Meditation]]===
  
*    Study ( [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[ཐོས་པ་]]}} thos + pa)
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*    {{Wiki|Reflection}} ( [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[བསམ་པ]]}} sam+ pa)
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*    Study ( [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[ཐོས་པ་]]}} [[thos + pa]])
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*    {{Wiki|Reflection}} ( [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[བསམ་པ]]}} [[sam+ pa]])
 
*    [[Meditation]] ( [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[སྒོམ་པ་]]}} [[sgom pa]])
 
*    [[Meditation]] ( [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[སྒོམ་པ་]]}} [[sgom pa]])
  
These three aspects are the [[mula prajñā]] of the [[sadhana]] of [[Prajñā-Pāramitā]], the "[[paramita]] of [[wisdom]]". Hence, these three are related to, but {{Wiki|distinct}} from, the [[Prajñāpāramitā]] that denotes a particular cycle of {{Wiki|discourse}} in the [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|literature}} that relates to the [[doctrinal]] "field" ([[Sanskrit]]: [[kṣetra]]) of the second turning of the [[Dharmachakra]].
 
  
===[[Mula]] [[dharmas]] of the [[path]]===
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These three aspects are the [[mula prajñā]] of the [[sadhana]] of [[Prajñā-Pāramitā]], the "[[paramita of wisdom]]".
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Hence, these three are related to, but {{Wiki|distinct}} from, the [[Prajñāpāramitā]] that denotes a particular cycle of {{Wiki|discourse}} in the [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|literature}} that relates to the [[doctrinal]] "field" ([[Sanskrit]]: [[kṣetra]]) of the [[second turning of the Dharmachakra]].
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===[[Mula dharmas of the path]]===
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The [[Dzogchen]] teachings focus on three terms:
 
The [[Dzogchen]] teachings focus on three terms:
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*    [[View]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[ལྟ་བ་]]}} [[lta-ba]]),
 
*    [[View]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[ལྟ་བ་]]}} [[lta-ba]]),
 
*    [[Meditation]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[སྒོམ་པ]]}}{{BigTibetan|་}} [[sgom pa]]),
 
*    [[Meditation]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[སྒོམ་པ]]}}{{BigTibetan|་}} [[sgom pa]]),
 
*    [[Action]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[སྤྱོད་པ་]]}} [[spyod-pa]]).
 
*    [[Action]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[སྤྱོད་པ་]]}} [[spyod-pa]]).
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To see directly the ([[absolute]]) [[nature]] of our [[mind]] is the [[View]]; the way of stabilizing that [[View]] and making it an unbroken [[experience]] is [[Meditation]]; and integrating that [[View]] into our daily [[life]] is what is meant by [[Action]].
 
To see directly the ([[absolute]]) [[nature]] of our [[mind]] is the [[View]]; the way of stabilizing that [[View]] and making it an unbroken [[experience]] is [[Meditation]]; and integrating that [[View]] into our daily [[life]] is what is meant by [[Action]].
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===[[Essence]], [[Nature]] and [[Energy]]===
 
===[[Essence]], [[Nature]] and [[Energy]]===
An important [[Dzogchen]] [[doctrinal]] [[view]] on the [[Sugatagarbha]] qua 'Base' ([[gzhi]]) (refer: Duckworth, 2008) that foregrounds this is '[[essence]]' ([[ngo bo]]), '[[nature]]' ([[rang bzhin]]) and '[[power]]' ([[thugs rje]]): the [[triune]] of which are indivisible and iconographically represented by the [[Gankyil]]. Where [[essence]] is [[openness]] or [[emptiness]] ([[ngo bo stong pa]]), [[nature]] is [[luminosity]], [[lucidity]] or clarity (as in the [[luminous mind]] of the [[Five Pure Lights]]) ([[rang bzhin gsal ba]]) and [[power]] is [[universal]] [[compassionate]] [[energy]] ([[thugs rje kun khyab]]), [[unobstructed]] ([[ma 'gags pa]])
 
  
===[[Triratna]] [[doctrine]]===
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An important [[Dzogchen doctrinal view]] on the [[Sugatagarbha]] qua 'Base' ([[gzhi]]) (refer: Duckworth, 2008) that foregrounds this is '[[essence]]' ([[ngo bo]]), '[[nature]]' ([[rang bzhin]]) and '[[power]]' ([[thugs rje]]):
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the [[triune]] of which are indivisible and iconographically represented by the [[Gankyil]].
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Where [[essence is openness or emptiness]] ([[ngo bo stong pa]]),
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[[nature]] is [[luminosity]], [[lucidity]] or clarity (as in the [[luminous mind]] of the [[Five Pure Lights]]) ([[rang bzhin gsal ba]]) and
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[[power]] is [[universal compassionate energy]] ([[thugs rje kun khyab]]), [[unobstructed]] ([[ma 'gags pa]])
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===[[Triratna doctrine]]===
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The [[Triratna]], [[Triple Jewel]] or [[Three Gems]] are triunic are therefore represented by the [[Gankyil]]:
 
The [[Triratna]], [[Triple Jewel]] or [[Three Gems]] are triunic are therefore represented by the [[Gankyil]]:
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*[[Buddhahood|Buddha]]
 
*[[Buddhahood|Buddha]]
 
*[[Dharma]]
 
*[[Dharma]]
 
*[[Sangha]]
 
*[[Sangha]]
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===[[Three Roots]]===
 
===[[Three Roots]]===
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The [[Three Roots]] are:
 
The [[Three Roots]] are:
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*[[Guru]]
 
*[[Guru]]
 
*[[Yidam]]
 
*[[Yidam]]
 
*[[Dakini]]
 
*[[Dakini]]
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===Three [[Dharma Seals]]===
 
===Three [[Dharma Seals]]===
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The indivisible [[essence]] of the [[dharma seals|Three Dharma Seals]] is [[embodied]] and encoded within the [[Gankyil]]:
 
The indivisible [[essence]] of the [[dharma seals|Three Dharma Seals]] is [[embodied]] and encoded within the [[Gankyil]]:
 
*[[Anatta]]
 
*[[Anatta]]
 
*[[Dukkha]]
 
*[[Dukkha]]
 
*[[Anicca]]
 
*[[Anicca]]
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===Three Turnings of the [[Wheel of Dharma]]===
 
===Three Turnings of the [[Wheel of Dharma]]===
  
As the inner [[wheel]] of the [[Vajrayana]] [[Dharmachakra]], the [[Gankyil]] also represents the {{Wiki|syncretic}} union and [[embodiment]] of the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] [[Shakyamuni]]'s [[Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma]]. The pedagogic [[upaya]] [[doctrine]] and {{Wiki|classification}} of the triunic 'three turnings' of the [[Dharmacakra]], was first postulated by the [[Indian]] ''[[Yogacara]]'' school.
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As the inner [[wheel]] of the [[Vajrayana]] [[Dharmachakra]], the [[Gankyil]] also represents the {{Wiki|syncretic}} union and [[embodiment]] of the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] [[Shakyamuni]]'s [[Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma]].  
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The pedagogic [[upaya doctrine]] and {{Wiki|classification}} of the triunic '[[three turnings of the Dharmacakra]], was first postulated by the [[Indian]] ''[[Yogacara]]'' school.
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===[[Trikaya doctrine]]===
 
===[[Trikaya doctrine]]===
The [[gankyil]] is the energetic signature of the [[Trikaya]], realised through the transmutation of the [[obscurations]] forded by the [[Three poisons]] (refer [[Kleshas|klesha]]) and therefore in the [[Bhavachakra]] the [[Gankyil]] is an {{Wiki|aniconic}} depiction of the [[snake]], {{Wiki|boar}} and [[fowl]]. [[Gankyil]] is to [[Dharmachakra]], as still [[eye]] is to cyclone, as [[Bindu|Bindu]] is to [[Mandala]].  The [[Gankyil]] is the inner [[wheel]] of the [[Vajrayana]] [[Dharmacakra]] (refer [[Himalayan]] [[Ashtamangala]]).
 
  
[[File:Tibetan chakra.jpg|thumb|260px|Tibetan ''Bhavacakra'' in [[Sera monastery|Sera]], {{Wiki|Lhasa}}.]]
 
  
The [[Gankyil]] is [[symbolic]] of the [[Trikaya]] [[doctrine]] of [[nirmanakaya]], [[sambhogakaya]] and [[dharmakaya]] and also of the [[Buddhist]] [[understanding]] of the {{Wiki|interdependence}} of the [[Three Vajras]]: of [[body]], {{Wiki|voice}} and [[mind]].  The divisions of the [[teaching]] of [[Dzogchen]] are for the purposes of explanation only; just as the [[Gankyil]] divisions are understood to dissolve in the energetic whirl of the ''[[Wheel of Joy]]''.
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The [[gankyil]] is the energetic signature of the [[Trikaya]], realised through the transmutation of the [[obscurations]] forded by the [[Three poisons]] (refer [[Kleshas|klesha]]) and therefore in the [[Bhavachakra]] the [[Gankyil]] is an {{Wiki|aniconic}} depiction of the [[snake]],
 +
 
 +
 
 +
{{Wiki|boar}} and [[fowl]]. [[Gankyil]] is to [[Dharmachakra]], as still [[eye]] is to cyclone, as [[Bindu|Bindu]] is to [[Mandala]]. 
 +
 
 +
The [[Gankyil]] is the inner [[wheel]] of the [[Vajrayana]] [[Dharmacakra]] (refer [[Himalayan]] [[Ashtamangala]]).
 +
 
 +
 
 +
[[File:Tibetan chakra.jpg|thumb|260px|Tibetan ''[[Bhavacakra]]'' in [[Sera monastery|Sera]], {{Wiki|Lhasa}}.]]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
The [[Gankyil]] is [[symbolic]] of the [[Trikaya]] [[doctrine]] of [[nirmanakaya]], [[sambhogakaya]] and [[dharmakaya]] and also of the [[Buddhist]] [[understanding]] of the {{Wiki|interdependence}} of the [[Three Vajras]].
 +
 
 +
[[Three Vajras]];
 +
 
 +
 
 +
[[body]],  
 +
{{Wiki|voice}} and  
 +
[[mind]].   
 +
 
 +
 
 +
The divisions of the [[teaching]] of [[Dzogchen]] are for the purposes of explanation only; just as the [[Gankyil]] divisions are understood to dissolve in the energetic whirl of the ''[[Wheel of Joy]]''.
 +
 
  
 
===Three cycles of [[Nyingmapa]] [[Dzogchen]]===
 
===Three cycles of [[Nyingmapa]] [[Dzogchen]]===
The [[Gankyil]] also [[embodies]] the three cycles of [[Nyingmapa]] [[Dzogchen]] codified by  [[Mañjuśrīmitra|Mañjushrīmītra]]:
+
 
* [[Semde]] [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|སེམས་སྡེ་}} ([[mind]] class/cycle);
+
 
* [[Longde]] [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|གློངས་སྡེ}}{{BigTibetan|་}} (Dzogchen)|Longde ([[space]] class/cycle); and
+
The [[Gankyil]] also [[embodies]] the [[three cycles of Nyingmapa Dzogchen]] codified by  [[Mañjuśrīmitra|Mañjushrīmītra]]:
* [[Mengagde]] [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[མན་ངག་སྡེ]]}} ([[oral instruction]] class/cycle)
+
 
This {{Wiki|classification}} determined the exposition of the [[Dzogchen]] teachings in the subsequent centuries.
+
 
 +
{{LTSW|Three cycles of Nyingmapa Dzogchen}}[[Three cycles of Nyingmapa Dzogchen]]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
* [[Semde]] [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|སེམས་སྡེ་}} ([[mind class]]/[[mind cycle);
 +
* [[Longde]] [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|གློངས་སྡེ}}{{BigTibetan|་}} (Dzogchen)|Longde ([[space class]]/[[space cycle]]); and
 +
* [[Mengagde]] [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[མན་ངག་སྡེ]]}} ([[oral instruction class]]/[[poral instruction cycle]])
 +
 
 +
 
 +
This {{Wiki|classification}} determined the exposition of the [[Dzogchen teachings]] in the subsequent centuries.
 +
 
  
 
===Three Spheres===
 
===Three Spheres===
'Three spheres' ([[Sanskrit]]: [[trimandala]]; [[Tibetan]]: '[[khor gsum]]). The [[conceptualizations]] pertaining to:
+
 
 +
 
 +
'[[Three spheres]]' ([[Sanskrit]]: [[trimandala]]; [[Tibetan]]: '[[khor gsum]]).  
 +
 
 +
The [[conceptualizations]] pertaining to:
 +
 
 +
 
 
*[[subject]],
 
*[[subject]],
 
*[[object]], and
 
*[[object]], and
 
*[[action]]
 
*[[action]]
  
===[[Sound]], [[light]] and rays===
 
The triunic continuua of the [[esoteric]] [[Dzogchen]] [[doctrine]] of '[[sound]], [[light]] and rays' (Wylie: [[sgra 'od zer gsum]]) is held within the energetic signature of the [[Gankyil]]. The [[doctrine]] of '[[Sound]], [[light]] and rays' is intimately connected with the [[Dzogchen]] [[teaching]] of the 'three aspects of the [[manifestation]] of [[energy]]'. Though thoroughly interpenetrating and nonlocalised, '[[sound]]' may be understood to reside at the [[heart]], the '[[mind'-wheel]]; '[[light]]' at the [[throat]], the '[[voice'-wheel]]; and 'rays' at the {{Wiki|head}}, the '[[body'-wheel]]. Some [[Dzogchen]] [[lineages]] for various purposes, locate 'rays' at the Ah-wheel (for [[Five Pure Lights]] [[pranayama]]) and '[[light]]' at the [[Aum]]-[[wheel]] (for [[rainbow body]]), and there are other enumerations.
 
  
===Three [[lineages]] of [[Nyingmapa]] [[Dzogchen]]===
+
===[[Sound]], [[light]] and [[rays]]===
 +
 
 +
 
 +
The triunic continuua of the [[esoteric]] [[Dzogchen]] [[doctrine]] of '[[sound]], [[light]] and rays' (Wylie: [[sgra 'od zer gsum]]) is held within the energetic signature of the [[Gankyil]].
 +
 
 +
The [[doctrine]] of '[[Sound]], [[light]] and rays' is intimately connected with the [[Dzogchen]] [[teaching]] of the 'three aspects of the [[manifestation]] of [[energy]]'.
 +
 
 +
Though thoroughly interpenetrating and nonlocalised, '[[sound]]' may be understood to reside at the [[heart]], the '[[mind'-wheel]]; '[[light]]' at the [[throat]],
 +
 
 +
the '[[voice'-wheel]]; and 'rays' at the {{Wiki|head}}, the '[[body'-wheel]].
 +
 
 +
Some [[Dzogchen]] [[lineages]] for various purposes, locate 'rays' at the Ah-wheel (for [[Five Pure Lights]] [[pranayama]]) and '[[light]]' at the [[Aum]]-[[wheel]] (for [[rainbow body]]), and there are other enumerations.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===[[Three lineages of Nyingmapa Dzogchen]]===
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 
The [[Gankyil]] also [[embodies]] the three [[tantric]] [[lineages]] as [[Penor Rinpoche]], a [[Nyingma]]pa, states:
 
The [[Gankyil]] also [[embodies]] the three [[tantric]] [[lineages]] as [[Penor Rinpoche]], a [[Nyingma]]pa, states:
  
According to the {{Wiki|history}} of the origin of [[tantras]] there are three [[lineages]]:
 
  
*The [[Lineage]] of [[Buddha's]] {{Wiki|Intention}}, which refers to the teachings of the [[Truth Body]] originating from the [[primordial]] [[Buddha]] [[Samantabhadra]], who is said to have taught [[tantras]] to an assembly of completely [[enlightened]] [[beings]] emanated from the [[Truth Body]] itself. Therefore, this level of [[teaching]] is considered as [[being]] completely [[beyond]] the reach of ordinary [[human]] {{Wiki|beings}}.
+
According to the {{Wiki|history}} of the origin of [[tantras]] there are [[three lineages]]:
*The [[Lineage]] of the [[Knowledge Holders]] corresponds to the teachings of the [[Enjoyment Body]] originating from [[Vajrasattva]] and [[Vajrapani]], whose [[human]] [[lineage]] begins with [[Garab Dorje]] of the [[Ögyan Dakini]] land. From him the [[lineage]] passed to [[Manjushrimitra]], [[Shrisimha]] and then to [[Guru Rinpoche]], [[Jnanasutra]], [[Vimalamitra]] and [[Vairochana]] who disseminated it in {{Wiki|Tibet}}.
+
 
*Lastly, the [[Human Whispered Lineage]] corresponds to the teachings of the [[Emanation Body]], originating from the [[Five Buddha Families]]. They were passed on to [[Shrisimha]], who transmitted them to [[Guru Rinpoche]], who in giving them to [[Vimalamitra]] started the [[lineage]] which has continued in [[Tibet]] until the present day.
+
 
 +
*The [[Lineage of Buddha's Intention]], which refers to the teachings of the [[Truth Body]] originating from the [[primordial Buddha]] [[Samantabhadra]],  
 +
 
 +
who is said to have taught [[tantras]] to an assembly of completely [[enlightened beings]] emanated from the [[Truth Body]] itself.  
 +
 
 +
Therefore, this level of [[teaching]] is considered as [[being]] completely [[beyond]] the reach of ordinary [[human]] {{Wiki|beings}}.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
*The [[Lineage of the Knowledge Holders]] corresponds to the teachings of the [[Enjoyment Body]] originating from [[Vajrasattva]] and [[Vajrapani]], whose [[human lineage]] begins with [[Garab Dorje]] of the [[Ögyan Dakini]] land.  
 +
 
 +
From him the [[lineage]] passed to [[Manjushrimitra]], [[Shrisimha]] and then to [[Guru Rinpoche]], [[Jnanasutra]], [[Vimalamitra]] and [[Vairochana]] who disseminated it in {{Wiki|Tibet}}.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
*Lastly, the [[Human Whispered Lineage]] corresponds to the teachings of the [[Emanation Body]], originating from the [[Five Buddha Families]].  
 +
 
 +
They were passed on to [[Shrisimha]], who transmitted them to [[Guru Rinpoche]], who in giving them to [[Vimalamitra]] started the [[lineage]] which has continued in [[Tibet]] until the present day.
 +
 
  
 
===Three aspects of [[energy]] in [[Dzogchen]] [[doctrine]]===
 
===Three aspects of [[energy]] in [[Dzogchen]] [[doctrine]]===
 +
 +
 
The [[Gankyil]] also [[embodies]] the [[energy]] [[manifested]] in the three aspects that yield the energetic [[emergence]] ([[Tibetan]]: [[rang byung]]) of [[phenomena]] ([[Sanskrit]]: [[dharmas]]) and [[sentient beings]] ([[Tibetan]]: [[yid can]]):
 
The [[Gankyil]] also [[embodies]] the [[energy]] [[manifested]] in the three aspects that yield the energetic [[emergence]] ([[Tibetan]]: [[rang byung]]) of [[phenomena]] ([[Sanskrit]]: [[dharmas]]) and [[sentient beings]] ([[Tibetan]]: [[yid can]]):
 +
  
 
*    [[dang]] (Wylie: [[gDangs]]), which is [[essentially]] [[infinite]] and [[formless]]
 
*    [[dang]] (Wylie: [[gDangs]]), which is [[essentially]] [[infinite]] and [[formless]]
*    [[rolpa]] (Wylie: [[Rol-pa]]), which may be [[perceived]] as the [[thoughtform]] of "the [[eye]] of the [[mind]]", or the {{Wiki|transpersonal}} imaginal [[manifestation]]
+
 
*    [[tsal]] (Wylie: [[rTsal]], which may be conceived as the [[manifestation]] of the [[energy]] of the {{Wiki|individual}}, as apparently an '{{Wiki|external}}' [[world]].
+
*    [[rolpa]] (Wylie: [[Rol-pa]]), which may be [[perceived]] as the [[thoughtform]] of "the [[eye of the mind]]", or the [[transpersonal imaginal manifestation]]
 +
 
 +
*    [[tsal]] (Wylie: [[rTsal]], which may be conceived as the [[manifestation of the energy]] of the {{Wiki|individual}}, as apparently an '[[external world]].
 +
 
 +
 
  
 
Though not discrete correlates, [[dang]] equates to [[dharmakaya]]; [[rolpa]] to [[sambhogakaya]]; and [[tsal]] to [[nirmanakaya]].
 
Though not discrete correlates, [[dang]] equates to [[dharmakaya]]; [[rolpa]] to [[sambhogakaya]]; and [[tsal]] to [[nirmanakaya]].
 +
 +
  
 
==[[Shang]]==
 
==[[Shang]]==
  
The [[gankyil]] is the central part of the '[[shang]]' ([[Tibetan]]: ''[[gchang]]''), a [[traditional]] [[ritual]] tool and instrument of the [[Bönpo]] {{Wiki|shaman}}.
+
 
 +
The [[gankyil]] is the central part of the '[[shang]]' ([[Tibetan]]: ''[[gchang]]''), a [[traditional ritual tool]] and instrument of the [[Bönpo]] {{Wiki|shaman}}.
  
 
==Historical context and cross-cultural cognates==
 
==Historical context and cross-cultural cognates==
 +
 +
 
The [[Gankyil]] has been equated or conflated with similar {{Wiki|Triskelion}} [[symbols]].
 
The [[Gankyil]] has been equated or conflated with similar {{Wiki|Triskelion}} [[symbols]].
  

Revision as of 07:35, 25 December 2015

Gankyil




The Gankyil (Standard Tibetan: དགའ་འཁྱིལ་) is a symbol and ritual tool in Tibetan Buddhism, Bön, Himalayan Shamanism and Japanese Buddhism Korean Buddhism.

In Bön and Nyingma Dzogchen lineages, the Gankyil is the principal symbol and teaching tool:

it is symbolic of primordial energy and represents the central unity and indivisibility of all the teaching, philosophical and doctrinal triune of Dzogchen (and quadrune of the greater Buddhadharma such as the Four Noble Truths and the 'Four Joys' of the Bonpo). It is an attribute of the Snow Lion.


According to Norbu & Shane:


The Gankyil, or ‘Wheel of Joy’, can clearly be seen to reflect the inseparability and interdependence of all the groups of three in the Dzogchen teaching, but perhaps most particularly it shows the inseparability of the Base, the Path, and the Fruit. And since Dzogchen, the Great Perfection, is essentially the self-perfected indivisibility of the primordial state, it naturally requires a non-dual symbol to represent it.
Norbu & Shane, The Crystal and the Way of Light


According to Déchen & Ngak’chang:


The structure of Dzogchen teachings is always in groups of three – such as base, path and fruit – but although they are divided in this way their indivisibility is emphasised by symbols such as the melong (me long) and of the ga’kyil (dGa’ dKyil).
—Déchen & Ngak’chang, Dzogchen transmission of the non-dual state


Nomenclature, orthography and etymology

Gankyil དགའ་འཁྱིལ (Wylie: dga'_'khyil), (equivalent Sanskrit: ananda-chakra), pronounced "ganshey" or "ganshee", is formed from the words dga' ("joy, elation, rapture, bliss, ecstasy, beauty, total happiness" i.e. the opposite of dukkha) and 'khyil ("swirling; circle, ring, bracelet, coil,mandala, a place where water flows"). Thus, it may be rendered into English as "bliss-whirling" or "wheel of joy".


Orthographies

Sam-Taegeuk (三太極) (삼태극)(Samtaegeuk) (통일 한국의) (서울)

Exegesis

A thrikheb (throne cover) from 19th century Bhutan. Throne covers were placed atop the temple cushions used by high lamas. The central circular swirling quadrune is the Gankyil in its mode as the "Four Joys".
Flag of Sikkim


In addition to linking the gankyil with the "wish-fulfilling jewel" (Skt. cintamani), Robert Beer makes the following connections:

The gakyil or 'wheel of joy' is depicted in a similar form to the ancient Chinese yin-yang symbol, but its swirling central hub is usually composed of either three or four sections. The Tibetan term dga' is used to describe all forms of joy, delight, and pleasure, and the term 'khyil means to circle or spin. The wheel of joy is commonly depicted at the central hub of the dharmachakra, where its three or four swirls may represent the Three Jewels and victory over the three poisons, or the Four Noble Truths and the four directions. As a symbol of the Three Jewels it may also appear as the 'triple-eyed' or wish-granting gem of the chakravartin. In the Dzogchen tradition the three swirls of the gakyil primarily symbolize the trinity of the base, path, and fruit.
—Robert Beer, The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols


The Gankyil as the inner wheel of the Dharmachakra is depicted on the Flag of Sikkim.

The 'victory' referred to above is symbolised by the 'Victory Banner' (Sanskrit: Dhvaja), one of the Himalayan Ashtamangala.

Wallace (2001: p. 77) identifies the ananda-cakra with the heart of the 'cosmic body' of which Mt Meru is the epicentre:

In the center of the summit of Mt Meru, there is the inner lotus (garbha-padma) of the Bhagavan Kalacakra, which has sixteen petals and constitutes the bliss-cakra (ananda-cakra) of the cosmic body.

Associated triunes

Ground, path and fruit

Mula kleśa of the Twelve Nidānas


Three humours of traditional Tibetan medicine

Attributes connected with the three humors (Sanskrit: tridoshas, Tibetan: Nyipa gsum):



Three Treasures of Everlasting Bon

For the Bonpo, the Gankyil denotes the three principal 'terma' (Tibetan:གཏེར་མ།) or "treasure" cycles of Everlasting Bon, the 'Northern Treasure'Tibetan: བྱང་གཏེར་(Wylie: byang gter), the 'Central Treasure' Tibetan: དབུས་གཏེར་(Wylie: dbus gter), and the 'Southern Treasure'Tibetan: ལྷོ་གཏེར་ (Wylie: lho gter).

The Northern Treasure is compiled from texts revealed in Zhangzhung and northern Tibet, the Southern Treasure from texts revealed in Bhutan and the southern area of Tibet, and the Central Treasure from texts revealed in central Tibet close to Samye Monastery.


Learning, Reflection and Meditation


These three aspects are the mula prajñā of the sadhana of Prajñā-Pāramitā, the "paramita of wisdom".

Hence, these three are related to, but distinct from, the Prajñāpāramitā that denotes a particular cycle of discourse in the Buddhist literature that relates to the doctrinal "field" (Sanskrit: kṣetra) of the second turning of the Dharmachakra.


Mula dharmas of the path

The Dzogchen teachings focus on three terms:



To see directly the (absolute) nature of our mind is the View; the way of stabilizing that View and making it an unbroken experience is Meditation; and integrating that View into our daily life is what is meant by Action.


Essence, Nature and Energy

An important Dzogchen doctrinal view on the Sugatagarbha qua 'Base' (gzhi) (refer: Duckworth, 2008) that foregrounds this is 'essence' (ngo bo), 'nature' (rang bzhin) and 'power' (thugs rje):

the triune of which are indivisible and iconographically represented by the Gankyil.


Where essence is openness or emptiness (ngo bo stong pa), nature is luminosity, lucidity or clarity (as in the luminous mind of the Five Pure Lights) (rang bzhin gsal ba) and power is universal compassionate energy (thugs rje kun khyab), unobstructed (ma 'gags pa)


Triratna doctrine

The Triratna, Triple Jewel or Three Gems are triunic are therefore represented by the Gankyil:



Three Roots

The Three Roots are:


Three Dharma Seals

The indivisible essence of the Three Dharma Seals is embodied and encoded within the Gankyil:


Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma

As the inner wheel of the Vajrayana Dharmachakra, the Gankyil also represents the syncretic union and embodiment of the Buddha Shakyamuni's Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma.

The pedagogic upaya doctrine and classification of the triunic 'three turnings of the Dharmacakra, was first postulated by the Indian Yogacara school.


Trikaya doctrine

The gankyil is the energetic signature of the Trikaya, realised through the transmutation of the obscurations forded by the Three poisons (refer klesha) and therefore in the Bhavachakra the Gankyil is an aniconic depiction of the snake,


boar and fowl. Gankyil is to Dharmachakra, as still eye is to cyclone, as Bindu is to Mandala.

The Gankyil is the inner wheel of the Vajrayana Dharmacakra (refer Himalayan Ashtamangala).


Tibetan Bhavacakra in Sera, Lhasa.


The Gankyil is symbolic of the Trikaya doctrine of nirmanakaya, sambhogakaya and dharmakaya and also of the Buddhist understanding of the interdependence of the Three Vajras.

Three Vajras;


body, voice and mind.


The divisions of the teaching of Dzogchen are for the purposes of explanation only; just as the Gankyil divisions are understood to dissolve in the energetic whirl of the Wheel of Joy.


Three cycles of Nyingmapa Dzogchen

The Gankyil also embodies the three cycles of Nyingmapa Dzogchen codified by Mañjushrīmītra:


Three cycles of Nyingmapa Dzogchen



This classification determined the exposition of the Dzogchen teachings in the subsequent centuries.


Three Spheres

'Three spheres' (Sanskrit: trimandala; Tibetan: 'khor gsum).

The conceptualizations pertaining to:



Sound, light and rays

The triunic continuua of the esoteric Dzogchen doctrine of 'sound, light and rays' (Wylie: sgra 'od zer gsum) is held within the energetic signature of the Gankyil.

The doctrine of 'Sound, light and rays' is intimately connected with the Dzogchen teaching of the 'three aspects of the manifestation of energy'.

Though thoroughly interpenetrating and nonlocalised, 'sound' may be understood to reside at the heart, the 'mind'-wheel; 'light' at the throat,

the 'voice'-wheel; and 'rays' at the head, the 'body'-wheel.

Some Dzogchen lineages for various purposes, locate 'rays' at the Ah-wheel (for Five Pure Lights pranayama) and 'light' at the Aum-wheel (for rainbow body), and there are other enumerations.


Three lineages of Nyingmapa Dzogchen

The Gankyil also embodies the three tantric lineages as Penor Rinpoche, a Nyingmapa, states:


According to the history of the origin of tantras there are three lineages:


who is said to have taught tantras to an assembly of completely enlightened beings emanated from the Truth Body itself.

Therefore, this level of teaching is considered as being completely beyond the reach of ordinary human beings.


From him the lineage passed to Manjushrimitra, Shrisimha and then to Guru Rinpoche, Jnanasutra, Vimalamitra and Vairochana who disseminated it in Tibet.


They were passed on to Shrisimha, who transmitted them to Guru Rinpoche, who in giving them to Vimalamitra started the lineage which has continued in Tibet until the present day.


Three aspects of energy in Dzogchen doctrine

The Gankyil also embodies the energy manifested in the three aspects that yield the energetic emergence (Tibetan: rang byung) of phenomena (Sanskrit: dharmas) and sentient beings (Tibetan: yid can):



Though not discrete correlates, dang equates to dharmakaya; rolpa to sambhogakaya; and tsal to nirmanakaya.


Shang

The gankyil is the central part of the 'shang' (Tibetan: gchang), a traditional ritual tool and instrument of the Bönpo shaman.

Historical context and cross-cultural cognates

The Gankyil has been equated or conflated with similar Triskelion symbols.

Herbert V. Günther, when writing about Buddhist triunes, states that "...the magical number Three, [is] so deeply rooted in our very being" and references this inference by citing the Russian mathematician V.V. Nalimov (1982: p. 165-168) who according to Gunther provides a concise presentation of why "all of us prefer the trinity: trilogy, triptych...".

Source

Wikipedia:Gankyil