Buddhism Symbols

THE DHARMA WHEEL

  • The wheel and circle major symbols in Buddhism
    • Represent reincarnation and interconnectedness
  • Dharma Wheel
    • Two-circled wheel w/ eight spokes (depict the truth of essence)
    • Centre circle is nirvana
    • Outer circle is existence
    • Spokes are The Eightfold Path
  • Path/spokes help to maintain balance
    • If one spoke is removed or weakened puts the wheel out of alignment
  • Used during rites to remind followers of Buddhism’s key beliefs

THE MANDALA

  • Mandala means circle
    • It is an aid for concentration & meditation
    • Can be permanent (hanging tapestries) or temporary (sand mandalas)
  • Depict the heavenly mansion of a specific deity or person
    • Generates healing energy
    • Brings viewer closer to enlightenment
  • Basic Structure
    • Square that is enclosed by circles = limits of physical space
    • Uses sands from the Himalayan Mtns that are dyed
    • Sand Mandala’s are destroyed after each use = impermanence

THE RAFT

  • Buddha metaphorically stated that to reach nirvana one had to cross a river
    • Also said there are many rafts PPL could be used to cross it
  • One side of the river was marked by dukkha & samsara
  • Other side is enlightenment
  • The river is the way of life
  • Yana means raft

THE LOTUS FLOWER

  • Buddha compared human existence to the lotus flower
    • Caught in cycle of samsara
  • Lotus Flowers roots are in the mud (under water) & blooms lie above the water
    • Roots are stuck/suffering
    • Bloom is trying to reach nirvana
  • Lotus flower is often carried during rituals (worship in temples etc.)
  • Also a symbol of anicca (impermanence)
  • Last, it is a model for the lotus position in meditation
    • Sitting cross-legged, soles of feet facing upwards, back straight, hands on top of lap

THE TREE

  • ree is important b/c Buddha had his awakening while meditating under the Bodhi Tree
  • The Mahabodhi Temple is now located behind this sacred tree
    • Located in Bodh Gaya, India → ON THE TEST (FILL IN THE BLANK)
  • Many Buddhists make a pilgrimage to the tree & temple

BUDDHA ICONS

  • Buddha did not believe he was Divine
  • Some believers wanted a physical rendition (icon) to help focus prayer
  • Icons are placed in personal and public shrines
    • Images of Buddha reflect values, cultures, of regions they appear in
  • There are:
    • Giant statues carved into cliffs
    • Gilded small & large statues as well

THE WHITE ELEPHANT (dw abt this)

  • Stories of Buddha’s birth involve a white elephant

    • Story states that Queen Maya was impregnated in a dream by the reincarnated god Maitreya who took the form of a baby white elephant w/ 6 tusks & entered her right-side
    • She gave birth 10 months later “from her side” so that the child was clean

  • What does the white elephant represent?

    • Idk, wont be asked

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Identity: Mudras, Stupa, Buddhapada

  1. Mudras

  2. Hand gestures

  3. symbolize different states of the mind.

  4. Used during yoga

  5. often used in meditation or seen in Buddha images.

  6. Stupa

    1. Stupas are domed-shaped mounds that were built to house the relics of the Buddha
    2. The inside of a stupa may be decorated with paintings or carvings illustrating the life of the Buddha.

  7. Buddhapada

    1. footprints of the Buddha

    2. Footprints are usually carved in stone and feature signs of the Buddha

      1. Buddha figures and sacred wheels, on the soles.