Frame. Mogok Sayadawgyi’s wheel is built on two concentric circles, cross-marked by four blue radial pillars that divide the layout into four sections of Cause/Effect/Cause/Effect. These supports are explicitly identified as the “pillars/supports,” with the diagram’s arrows doing the rest of the teaching: double-headed for connections, two curved for cyclic and exit paths.
Outer big circle — the binding chain (jarā-maraṇa simile)
The outermost ring is the chain/binding: a rim that stands for the aging-and-death bind of saṃsāra. Four turning arrows on (or near) this rim dramatize the wheel’s continuous spin; the simile is explicit: jarā-maraṇa = chain. Teach it as “what keeps the whole thing going—until cessation is known.”
Inner small circle — the container/vessel (two roots)
At center is the container/vessel holding the two roots, avijjā and taṇhā. The cross-mark passes through this hub (the four pillars meet here), anchoring the pedagogy: “from these roots the whole process starts.” The simile is again explicit: avijjā & taṇhā = container.
Upper downward arrow — the axis (āsavas)
From the top of the hub a downward axis is shown in some versions; the function is the same: the āsavas (taints) act as the axle that turns the wheel. Label it plainly—“engine of the spin.” (Note: some English plates render this axis upward; either way, mark it as Āsavas = axis.)
Middle downward arrow — the exit path (nirodha)
The middle downward arrow is the exit path—the reversal reading of DO. In teaching, land this at the vedanā pivot: from vedanā, do not feed taṇhā; this is where cessation is worked in real time. (The plates place the liberation/vedanā-nirodha path at ~6 o’clock.)
How to point and talk (60–90 seconds)
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Rim first. Trace the outer circle: “This chain is jarā-maraṇa—the bind of saṃsāra. See the four arrows? That’s the ongoing spin.”
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Then hub. Tap the inner circle: “This vessel holds the two roots—avijjā and taṇhā—from which the whole cycle ignites.”
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Axis. Slide down the upper arrow: “These are the āsavas, the axle that turns the wheel.” (Mention the upward/downward variant if your slide set mixes plates.)
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Exit. Land on the middle arrow at ~6 o’clock: “This is the exit path—read DO in reverse here by guarding vedanā → taṇhā.”
Teaching cue (one line): “Rim shows the bind, hub shows the roots, axis shows the spin, middle shows the way out.” (Then immediately drill the vedanā practice.)
Why this matters for VAKT. The wheel’s two circles + arrows give Visual anchors; tracing and tapping is Kinesthetic; your voice-over supplies Auditory; learners Read the labels (Text). Mogok’s classroom emphasis is exactly this: make the conditionality felt at the vedanā hinge (C2) so craving doesn’t recruit you.
Variant note (for production): If your English master shows the axis pointing up, keep the label “Āsavas (axis)” and add a small caption: “Axis orientation varies by plate.” If it points down, you’re already aligned with the Burmese note. Either way, keep the exit arrow clearly middle-down at ~6 o’clock.
