buddhist symbols
DESCRIPTION
Buddhist Symbols. Camera Shy…. It is said that the Buddha was reluctant to accept images of himself, as he did not like to be venerated as a person. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Buddhist Symbols
Camera Shy… 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 The white elephant
here symbolizes here symbolizes perfect wisdom and perfect wisdom and royal powerroyal power
In India, an In India, an elephant is elephant is accounted the most accounted the most sacred animal on sacred animal on earth.earth.