Transcript Buddhism symbols

Buddhism
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.
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The Golden Fishes
Symbol of happiness
and joy
 Usually pictured as two
upright fish facing each
other.
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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
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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
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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)
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The Lotus Flower
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Perhaps the most well known symbol
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Most pictures of Buddhist gods and goddesses
are either seated on a lotus or are holding one.
Different colors of the lotus symbolize
different things:
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White lotus- enlightenment
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Red lotus- a pure heart
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Blue lotus- victory
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Pink lotus- supreme
The Lotus Flower cont’d
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An open blossom signifies full enlightenment; a
closed blossom signifies the potential for
enlightenment
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

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

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
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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.
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The Victory Banner
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Placed on a mountain
which symbolizes the
Buddha’s conquest of
the world.
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.
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The Dharma Wheel
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Divided into three parts:
the spokes represent
perfect wisdom, the hub
stands for regulation,
and the rim represents
meditation.
The Buddhist Flag
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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.
The Buddhist Flag cont’d
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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
Stupas
Represent the
enlightened mind of the
Buddha
 Stupas are often used to
store relics from
important teachers.
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Stupas
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cont’d
Represent the five elements:
 the square base - earth
 the round dome - water
 the cone shape - fire
 the canopy - air
 the volume - space
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.
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The Lion cont’d
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Buddha's teachings are
sometimes referred to
as the 'Lion's Roar',
again indicative of their
strength and power.
Sources
All symbols and information
http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00157/image
s/budendlessknot.jpg
 http://www.buddhism.kalachakranet.org/general
_symbols_
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