In Tibetan Buddhist culture, a depiction of the wheel of life is painted as a mural on almost every monastery gate and on the entrance walls of virtually every temple. To some, the wheel describes actual physical places, where beings exist as a result of actions performed in their previous lives. To others, the wheel describes both the heavenly and hellish psychological states we find ourselves in — in this life.

In this talk, Laura will share some images from her recent trip to Ladakh, India, where she enjoyed a brief immersion in the culture of Tibetan Buddhism. We’ll pay particular attention to the rich symbolism of the images in the wheel of life.

Insight Meditation Community of Charlottesville (IMCC) is dedicated to the practice of mindfulness awareness, also know as Insight or Vipassana Meditation. IMCC provides a full program of weekly meditation, ongoing classes, daylong programs, and retreats.