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Buddhism Symbols

Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

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Page 1: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

Buddhism

Symbols

Page 2: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Eight Auspicious Symbols

Page 3: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

Umbrella or parasol

Embodies notions of wealth or royalty Points to the "royal ease" and power

experienced in the Buddhist life of detachment

Symbol of the activities that keep one from harm (sun) like illness, bad forces, obstacles ..., and the enjoyment of the results under its cool shade.

Page 4: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Golden Fishes

Symbol of happiness and joy

Usually pictured as two upright fish facing each other.

Page 5: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Golden Fishes

Originally symbolic of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna, but came to represent good fortune in general, for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists

Also symbolises that living beings who practice the dharma won’t drown in the ocean of suffering, and can freely migrate (chose their rebirth) like fish in the water

Page 6: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Treasure Vase

Sign of the inexhaustible riches available in the Buddhist teachings

Also symbolises long life, wealth, prosperity and all the benefits of this world

Practice of burying or storing treasure vases at certain locations to generate wealth, eg. for monasteries or dharma centers

Page 7: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Lotus Flower

Refers to the complete purification of body, speech and mind, and the blossoming of wholesome deeds in liberation

Represents many aspects of the path: it grows from the mud (samsara), up through muddy water it appears clean on the surface (purification), and finally produces a beautiful flower (enlightenment)

Page 8: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Lotus Flower

Perhaps the most well known symbol

Most pictures of Buddhist gods and goddesses are either seated on a lotus or are holding one.

Page 9: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

Different colors of the lotus symbolize different things:

White lotus- enlightenment

Red lotus- a pure heart

Blue lotus- victory Pink lotus- supreme

Page 10: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Lotus Flower cont’d

An open blossom signifies full enlightenment; a closed blossom signifies the potential for enlightenment

Page 11: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Conch

Symbolises the deep, far reaching and melodious sound of Buddha’s teachings

Awakens disciples from the slumber of ignorance

Also used as a horn

Page 12: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Endless Knot

A geometric diagram which symbolises the nature of reality where everything is interrelated and only exists as part of a web of karma and its effect

Originated from an ancient symbol of two entwining snakes

Page 13: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

Endless Knot Has no beginning or

end, it also represents the infinite wisdom of the Buddha, and the union of compassion and wisdom

Also, represents the illusory character of time and long life

Page 14: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Victory Banner

Symbol of the victory of the Buddha's teachings over death, ignorance, disharmony and all the negativities of this world

Roofs of Tibetan monasteries are often decorated with victory banners of different shapes and sizes.

Page 15: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Victory Banner

Placed on a mountain which symbolizes the Buddha’s conquest of the world.

Page 16: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Dharma-Wheel

(Dharmachakra)

Represents the Buddha’s teachings It is said that after Siddharta

Gautama achieved enlightenment, Brahma came to him, offered a Dharma-Wheel and requested the Buddha to teach.

Page 17: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Dharma Wheel

Divided into three parts: the spokes represent perfect wisdom, the hub stands for regulation, and the rim represents meditation.

Page 18: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Buddhist Flag

A recent symbol is the Buddhist flag

Designed in 1880 by Colonel Henry Steele Olcott, an American journalist

First hoisted in 1885 in Sri Lanka

A symbol of faith and peace

Now used throughout the world to represent the Buddhism.

Page 19: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Buddhist Flag cont’d

The five colours of the flag represent the colours of the aura that emanated from the body of the Buddha when he attained Enlightenment.

Loving kindness, peace and universal compassion

The Middle Path - avoiding extremes, emptiness

Blessings of practice - achievement, wisdom, virtue, fortune and dignity

Purity of Dharma - it leads to liberation, outside of time or

space

The Buddha's Teaching - wisdom

Page 20: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

Stupas

Represent the enlightened mind of the Buddha

Stupas are often used to store relics from important teachers.

Page 21: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

Stupas cont’d

Represent the five elements: the square base -

earththe round dome -

waterthe cone shape - firethe canopy - air the volume - space

Page 22: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Lion

One of Buddhism's most potent symbols

Associated with regality, strength and power

Appropriate symbol for the Buddha who tradition has it was a royal prince.

Page 23: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Lion cont’d

Buddha's teachings are sometimes referred to as the 'Lion's Roar', again indicative of their strength and power.

Page 24: Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols

Sources

All symbols and information

http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00157/images/budendlessknot.jpg

http://www.buddhism.kalachakranet.org/general_symbols_