Wheel of the Law

wheel of the Law

法輪; (Skt dharma-chakra; Jpn horin )

Also, Dharma-wheel. A term for the Buddha's teachings. The preaching of a Buddha is often expressed in Buddhist scriptures as "turning the wheel of the Law."

"Wheel" here is a translation of the Sanskrit chakra, the wheel possessed by wheel-turning kings, or ideal rulers in Indian mythology.

The chakra of a wheel-turning king was a weapon with which he would advance without obstruction and use to subdue enemies of goodness or justice.

The Buddha's teachings are compared to the chakra because he uses them to defeat or subdue people's earthly desires and illusions and lead them to enlightenment.

see also: Dharmacakra

Source

http://www.sgilibrary.org/search_dict.php