The mandala describes ten main 'worlds', or states of being, which humanbeing find themselves in. The mandala also teaches that from any of these states of being the means of Self-Realization is always close at hand. The only requirement is to have a change of heart. These states were considered to exist both here and now and in the afterlife.
Life is drawn here as a half circle.
The stages from birth to old age and death are symbolized in the trees accompanying each stage. When we are born we are like the willow, flexible and soft. In later life we progress through stages symbolized by the cherry, pine, cedar, and red maple trees, leading finally to death as symbolized by the dead tree. In the lower part of this picture one of the Buddhist versions of hell is depicted. This scene is the hell of suffering by fire.