The Six Ways (or Realms) of Samsara are a central concept in Tibetan Buddhism and represent the cycle of rebirth that sentient beings go through. The word Samsara refers to the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, which is driven by karma and desires. The ultimate goal in Buddhism is to break free from this cycle by achieving enlightenment (Nirvana). The Six Realms are often depicted in Buddhist artwork, such as Thangka murals, to remind practitioners of the nature of existence and the path to liberation.

The Six Realms of Samsara:

1. God Realm (Deva Realm)

2. Demi-God Realm (Asura Realm)

3. Human Realm

4. Animal Realm

5. Hungry Ghost Realm (Preta Realm)

6. Hell Realm

Auspiciousness of the Six Realms in Buddhism:

The depiction of the Six Realms in Thangka murals serves as both a reminder of the suffering inherent in Samsara and a teaching tool for Buddhist practitioners. Understanding the Six Realms helps in recognizing the root causes of suffering: ignorance, attachment, and aversion. Each realm highlights a particular mental state or emotion that leads to suffering, such as anger (Hell Realm), desire (Hungry Ghosts), or ignorance (Animal Realm).

The auspiciousness of this mural lies in its capacity to:

• Inspire awareness: It encourages individuals to become aware of their own mental states and tendencies that align with these realms.
• Motivate spiritual practice: Seeing the cycle of Samsara urges practitioners to focus on Dharma practice, meditation, and ethical living in order to escape the endless cycle of suffering.
• Foster compassion: It reminds practitioners to develop compassion for all beings, as everyone is caught in this cycle of Samsara in various ways.
• Guide toward liberation: The mural teaches that freedom from Samsara is possible through the cultivation of wisdom, compassion, and mindful living.

By contemplating the Six Realms, practitioners are reminded of the fleeting nature of all forms of existence and the importance of working toward liberation from Samsara. This makes the depiction of the 6-Way Samsara Thangka a powerful symbol of spiritual guidance and an auspicious tool for reflection, aiming to help devotees on their journey toward enlightenment.