buddha symbols[1]
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Buddhist Symbols
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It is said that the Buddha was reluctant to
accept images of himself, as he did not like to
be venerated as a person.
To symbolise the Buddha in the very early art,
one used mainly the Eight Spoked Wheel
and the Bodhi Tree, but also the Buddha's
Footprints, an Empty Throne, a Begging
Bowl and a Lion are used to represent him.
The Dharmachakra
has eight spokes, symbolising the Eight-fold
Noble Path.
The 3 swirling segments in centre represent
the Buddha, Dharma (the teachings) and
Sangha(the spiritual community).
The wheel can also be divided into three
parts, each representing an aspect of
Buddhist practice; the hub (discipline), the
spokes (wisdom), and the rim (concentration).
Bodhi Tree
Refers to the tree under
which the Buddha
achieved enlightenment
Tree worship was
already part of the
existing culture in India,
so the development of
the bodhi tree and leaf as
a devotional symbol was
a natural one.
A Bodhi Tree is grown in
Buddhist centres
Buddha’s footprints
The story goes that
prior to his death the
Buddha left an
imprint of his foot on
a stone near
Kusinara,
a reminder of his
presence on earth.
The Begging-bowl
shortly before the Buddha
reached enlightenment, a
young woman named
Sujata offered him a bowl
of milk-rice.
Monks go into the street
with their bowl and eat
only what is placed in
there by others
The Lion
one of Buddhism's most
potent symbols.
associated with regality,
strength and power.
Buddha who tradition
has it was a royal
prince.
The Buddha's teachings
are sometimes referred
to as the 'Lion's Roar',
indicating their strength
and power.
The Lotus
Grows up from the mud
through muddy water to
blossom
Purification and
enlightenment
the stem stands for the
practice of Buddhist
teachings which raise the
mind above the (mud of)
worldly existence, and
gives rise to purity of mind.
Open blossom
enlightenment
Closed blossom potential
for enlightenment
The white elephant
The white elephant
here symbolizes
perfect wisdom and
royal power
In India, an elephant
is accounted the most
sacred animal on
earth.