Auspicious symbols of Buddhism. Basic symbols of Buddhism and their characteristics

According to one Tibetan legend, when the Divine Sage achieved Perfect Awakening, he was presented with eight symbols called auspicious ones. Now they are very popular both in Tibet itself and in countries where Buddhism came through the northern branch. These signs are very ancient and are present in religions such as Hinduism and Jainism. They can also be found on the walls of Buddhist monasteries, and, of course, in the houses of believers. In this article we will look at eight symbols of Buddhism and reflect on their meaning.

1. Goldfish

This is a sign of achieving Nirvana and overcoming the Ocean of Samsara. In Buddhist sutras, achieving Nirvana is similar to achieving That Shore. What does it mean? To explain, it is necessary to define the opposite term, “This shore.” It symbolized the World of Passions, which consisted of six paths. Our subconscious interacts closely with the World of Forms and is directly related to rebirth (Ocean of Samsara). Those who sail on this ocean constantly find themselves in the World of Passion. This is how the process of rebirth occurs.

Where is That Shore located? He represents the World Without Forms. If a person has worldly desires, then they, like waves, will become a serious obstacle when trying to get to That Shore. And a saint who enters this ocean will overcome it without any problems, since he has conquered his worldly desires. This is where another meaning of the sign appeared: They have become above our worldly desires: fish have no fear of the ocean, they swim wherever they want. The golden color represents merit gained through spiritual practice. You may ask, why is there not one fish, but two? We think this is a hint hinting that in spiritual practice one must not only accumulate virtuous actions of thoughts, speech and body, but also develop wisdom.

There are other interpretations (that is, Buddhist symbols have several meanings). Historians believe that golden fish are two Indian rivers: the sacred Ganges and its deepest and longest tributary, the Yamuna. This is the pre-Buddhist explanation of this sign. In those days, the mentioned rivers personified the left and right channels in the etheric body of a person.

And in ancient texts, two goldfish were figuratively compared to the eyes of the Savior. Next we will look at other Buddhist symbols and their meanings. Some signs will also have multiple interpretations.

2. Lotus

The lotus flower is a symbol of holy compassion and love. And these two feelings are included in the four immeasurables and help to find the path to the soul of the Bodhisattva. The white lotus symbolizes holiness and spiritual purity. Pink is considered the sign of the Savior, that is, the Buddha himself.

It sinks into the silt, its stem passes through the water column, and its petals rise above it. They are open to the sun and clean. There is no defilement in the consciousness of an enlightened person. The three root poisons cannot poison the mind of a saint, just as dirty water cannot remain on the unsullied petals of a lotus.

3. Sink

Like other symbols of Buddhism, it has its own meaning. A white shell with a spiral twisting to the right is considered a sign of the Savior’s enlightenment, as well as good news to all beings about the opportunity to achieve his nature. In ancient times, the conch shell was a musical instrument (wind instrument). It is therefore not surprising that it symbolized sound that spread in all directions. Likewise, the teachings of the Buddha are transmitted everywhere, calling on all beings to awaken from the sleep of ignorance.

Most often in nature there are shells in which the spiral twists to the left. Shells with a right-handed spiral are very rare. It was they who were associated in the minds of people with special characteristics and were considered sacred. The direction of their spirals was associated with the movement of celestial bodies: stars, planets, including the Moon and the Sun.

4. Precious vessel

Belongs to the category “The most beautiful symbols of Buddhism”, pictures of which are present in any Buddhist temple. This is a sign of health, long life, as well as prosperity and wealth. The lid of the vessel is decorated with a jewel called cintamani (translated from Sanskrit - fulfilling one's plans).

You already know that Buddhist symbols can have several interpretations. So the contents of the jug have two interpretations. The first says that there is the nectar of immortality inside. Remember, Buddha Amitayus and Padmasambhava’s disciple Mandrava held such a jug on the thangkas. They gained eternal life and forgot what aging and death are. On the other hand, the Teachings of the Buddha say: in the Three Worlds nothing can be eternal, only our true nature is eternal. By applying longevity practices, a practitioner can significantly prolong his existence and eliminate life’s obstacles. The main obstacle is energy shortage. Extending life is especially valuable if a person practices to achieve Liberation, improves in compassion and love, accumulates wisdom and merit, thereby becoming needed by other beings.

According to the second interpretation, this vessel is filled with jewelry. Moreover, you can take as many of them as you like, it does not become empty. What do the jewels symbolize? These are good rewards for beneficial deeds performed by people. One who accumulates positive karma will definitely reap the fruits of happiness.

5. Wheel of Dharma

The Wheel of Law is the fifth symbol of Buddhism, a photo of which is attached to the article. Its eight spokes reflect the essence of the teaching - adherence to the eight "noble principles": correct faith, behavior, speech, values, aspirations, earning a living, concentration and evaluation of one's own actions. The center of the wheel is a point of consciousness that radiates spiritual qualities.

6. Victory Banner

This symbol of Buddhism signifies the triumph of Dharma over ignorance, as well as the passage of the obstacles of Mara. This banner is located on the top of a mountain called Sumeru. As long as the Universe exists (the Heaven of Brahma and the World of Passion), this mountain of Perfection will be indestructible. Consequently, it is simply impossible to destroy the teachings of the Savior.

7. Endless knot

Some Buddhist symbols have multiple interpretations. And the endless knot falls into this category. For some it is the endless cycle of existence, for others it is a symbol of eternity, for others it is a sign of the inexhaustible knowledge of the Buddha. It is also a sign of the interdependence of all events in the Universe and the complex relationship between compassion and wisdom in the process of achieving Enlightenment. And to achieve it, you need to overcome the endlessly long path of the Mahayana. The path of the Bodhisattva is quite long and includes many kalpas.

There is also a hypothesis that the endless knot reflects another symbol, consisting of 2 intertwined snakes. The snake is one of the most ancient signs of kundalini, which came to India from Ancient Egypt. Most likely, the endless knot has a connection with the chandali. This is supported by the theory that the intertwining serpents are very similar to the movement of kundalini through the left and right channels of the etheric body.

8. Umbrella

The precious umbrella is the last auspicious symbol of Buddhism. While a person follows the path of Enlightenment (achieving Buddha nature), the sign helps him in overcoming obstacles.

Traditionally symbolized protection in India, as well as royal greatness. Since it was held above the head, it naturally symbolized respect and honor. For secular rulers, umbrellas were made from In the religious consciousness of most people, protection from bad weather was associated with protection from vices, pollution and passions that interfere with spiritual development. That is, just as a simple umbrella saves us from the rays of the sun or rain, its precious counterpart protects us from obstacles on the path to Awakening.

The Tibetan version of the umbrella shape was borrowed from the Chinese and Indians. The prototypes consisted of a silk dome and a wooden frame with spokes. There was fringe or frill along the edges. The silk was red, yellow, white or multi-colored, and the stem was dyed exclusively red or gold. In Tibet, the status of the owner could be determined by looking at the umbrella. Moreover, he was a symbol not only of secular power, but also of spiritual power. According to ancient legends, Teacher Atisha was revered to such an extent that he was given thirteen umbrellas to accompany him.

Conclusion

Now you know the main symbols of Buddhism. We hope you understand their meaning. Without meaning, they are just pretty pictures, decorations and trinkets. Use these symbols to achieve a state of Enlightenment.

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These symbols have survived dozens of generations, and people have endowed them with power and meaning for centuries. Sometimes, over time, the meaning of symbols changes - it acquires associations and is distorted beyond recognition. And maybe this one
a beautiful pendant on your pendant carries an unexpected sacred meaning.

website looked into the history of the most famous symbols.

The first images of the symbol date back to 8000 BC.

The swastika is a symbol of happiness, creativity and abundance. In India it symbolizes the sun and the beginning. Among the American Indians it was the emblem of the sun god. In China, the swastika is the hieroglyph for the sun. In Buddhism it is considered a symbol of perfection.

Since 1900, in English-speaking countries, the swastika has been popular on postcards as the “cross of happiness”, consisting of the “4 Ls”: Light, Love, Life and Luck.

In the 1920s, the Nazis made it their symbol. In the 1940s, due to the analogy with Nazism, the image of the swastika was banned in many countries.

The symbol was born in 4000–3000 BC. The double-headed eagle of Gandaberunda was first mentioned in the ancient legends of Hinduism. The warrior god Vishnu became a double-headed eagle, showing fantastic strength. Gandaberunda was a symbol of the principles of dharma - a set of norms for maintaining cosmic order.

In Buddhism, the double-headed eagle personified the power of Buddha; in the Muslim world it was a symbol of the supreme power of the Sultan. In Sumer it was an image of the sun.

Gandaberunda was present on the coats of arms of many principalities and countries. He was depicted on
coins of the Golden Horde, it was on the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire.
In Rus', the eagle appeared with the marriage of Ivan III to the niece of the Byzantine emperor Sophia Paleologus in 1472. He was a symbol of the Palaiologan dynasty. The double-headed eagle depicted on the weapon was considered a talisman and talisman that brought success in battle.

The symbol has existed since 3500 BC. Found in Egypt, Greece, India, Byzantium and Sumer. The crescent moon represents rebirth and immortality.

It was revered by Christians as a sign of the Virgin Mary, in Asia - as a sign of cosmic forces. In Hinduism, it represents control over the mind.

The crescent moon was a symbol of the Sassanid Empire in Persia and was placed on crowns. In 651, after the Arab conquest, the crescent became a symbol of power in Western Asia. After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the crescent moon finally became associated with Islam.

Early five-pointed stars date back to 3500 BC.

The pentagram was considered a talisman against evil and dark forces. Merchants of the Ancient
Babylon depicted a star on the doors to protect goods from theft and damage. Pythagoras considered it mathematical perfection, since the pentagram contains the golden ratio. The stars were a symbol of intellectual omnipotence.

In early Christianity, the symbol of Jesus Christ was an inverted pentagram. But at the instigation of Eliphas Levi, the inverted five-pointed star became a symbol of Satan.

Buddhist symbolism. The main groups of symbols of Buddhism. Eight symbols of luck

Some of the main auspicious symbols in Buddhism are grouped together. However, they can also occur separately.

Eight symbols of luck

are considered gifts presented by the gods to Buddha Shakyamuni after he gained Enlightenment

once presented to Buddha by the lord of the gods, Mahadeva, as a head ornament. Symbolizes protection from disease, evil spirits and suffering in this and future lives. On a spiritual level, it dispels anger, passion, pride, envy and stupidity.

was given to Buddha by the god Vishnu as an ornament for his eyes. Symbolizes freedom from the fear of drowning in the ocean of suffering and spiritual liberation.

was presented to Buddha by the god Indra as an ornament for his ears. Symbolizes the sound of the Buddha's Teachings spreading freely everywhere and awakening disciples from the sleep of ignorance.

A lotus with a thousand petals was given to Buddha by the god Kama as an ornament for his tongue. Symbolizes the purity of teaching and purification of body, speech and mind, leading to Enlightenment.

presented to Buddha by the god Shadana as an ornament for his throat. Symbolizes the fulfillment of all desires, both temporary (gaining longevity, wealth and merit), and the highest - gaining liberation and Enlightenment.

given to Buddha by the god Ganesha as an ornament for his heart. Symbolizes the changing nature of time, the impermanence and interconnection of all things, as well as the unity of compassion and wisdom.

presented to Buddha by the god Krishna as an ornament for his body. This cylindrical multi-tiered figure symbolizes the victory of the Buddha's teachings over ignorance and death.

with a thousand spokes was given to Buddha by Brahma as an ornament for his feet. It began to be called "Wheel of Dharma". Its rotation symbolizes the preaching of the Buddha's Teachings, bringing liberation to all living beings. Usually depicted with eight spokes, which represent "The Noble Eightfold Path" Shakyamuni Buddha:

1 - Right view.
2 - Right thinking.
3 - Correct speech.
4 - Correct behavior.
5 - Correct lifestyle.
6 - Correct effort.
7- Right mindfulness.
8- Right contemplation.

(in Tibetan "Tashi Tagye") - these are all eight symbols drawn together. They are often depicted on the walls of houses, in monasteries, temples, on doors and curtains.

Year of manufacture: 1999
Country Russia
Translation: Not required
Director: Golden Age
Quality: VHSRip
Format: AVI
Duration: 01:00:00
Size: 705 MB

Description: The film talks about spiritual experience in line with the Buddhist tradition, about the highest potential of the human spirit, about insight, about sacred knowledge, meditation and Buddhist symbols. For any audience.

Download from turbobit.net (705 MB)
Download from depositfiles.com (705 MB)

Ashtamangala. 8 Sacred Symbols of Buddhism

WHAT:8 jewels, 8 auspicious signs, 8 sacred symbols.

In Sanskrit the 8 Buddhist Jewels are: Ashtamangala (ashtamangala), ashta - eight, mangala - sacred. They symbolize the corresponding qualities of someone who has achieved enlightenment, while simultaneously personifying the rewards received when achieving each of these qualities.

WHERE:Possessing deep symbolism and connection with the essence of the Teaching, 8 favorable signs became powerful energy structures and turned into yidams each individually. Today, 8 sacred symbols can be found in every Buddhist monastery, in the decoration of ritual objects, in thangkas, in ancient and modern Buddhist ornaments.

WHICH:

Precious umbrella (chhatra ) symbolizes noble lightness, boundless freedom and protection, expanding opportunities for those who have taken refuge in the Dharma. Just as an umbrella protects from rain and sun, so a sacred umbrella protects the mind from excessive heat, falsity and the suffering of samsara. Another meaning is that one who has achieved enlightenment takes responsibility for all living beings and carries an umbrella of good deeds in order to protect them from the suffering of the three higher and three lower worlds.

In physical terms, the umbrella represents the concept of wealth and nobility, since previously only rich, noble people could afford such a canopy umbrella and the person who would carry it.

Golden fish(matsya ) is a very ancient symbol of wealth and abundance. In Buddhism, a symbol of limitless wealth found in the waters of the ocean of Teaching. Just as a fish swims in water without knowing any barriers, so a person who has achieved enlightenment knows no boundaries or obstacles. And just as a fish plunges into water and swims further and further, so the practitioner knows no fear and can swim freely in the waters of the ocean of suffering.

Physically, fish are symbols of wealth and fertility, as clear lakes contain a lot of fish.

Precious vase (bumpa ) is the repository of realizations that are born from merits and virtues. Physically, it is a symbol of long life, prosperity and all virtues.

Lotus(padma ) symbolizes deliverance from all obscurations and liberation. Just as a lotus is born from the muddy water of a swamp, sprouting a beautiful flower, so a person who has cleansed his body, mind and speech from the darkness of samsara achieves liberation in order to show the goodness of his deeds to the world.

On the physical plane, this is purity, the elevation of the enlightened mind above delusions.

Sink(shankha ) symbolizes the deep, loud and melodic sound of the Teaching. Just as the sound of a conch shell spreads unhindered over long distances, the Teaching spreads everywhere, reaching the depths of the human heart and awakening them from the sleep of ignorance.

Sacred/Endless Knot (shrivatsa ) is a geometric diagram that symbolizes the nature of reality, where everything is interconnected and exists only as part of karma and its consequences. Having no beginning or end, the Knot represents the infinite wisdom of the Buddha and the connection between compassion and wisdom. Also, it reveals the illusory nature of time and long life, which are essentially endless.

Victorious Banner(dhvaja) represents the final victory of the Buddha's Teachings over death, ignorance, demons, obscurations and everything negative in the world.

Wheel of Dharma(Dharmachakra ) is the wheel of Dharma, the wheel of law. The spoke means Wisdom, experience, concentration, the axis means morality. The eight spokes of the wheel symbolize the “noble eightfold path” of Buddha Shakyamuni:

1. Correct view.
2. Correct thinking.
3. Correct speech.
4. Correct behavior.
5. The right way of life.
6. The right effort.
7. Correct awareness.
8. Correct contemplation.

In Buddhism, as in any other religion, there are religious symbols that signify any manifestations of universal life energy or aspects of teaching. Unlike the symbols of other cults, the symbols of Buddhism have a dual meaning - one of them relates to society and history, and the other is directly related to the spiritual component (usually enlightenment).

Good symbols of Buddhism

Among the symbols of Buddhism, there are eight most favorable (they are also called good). For Buddhists, they are what brings the protection of heaven and, accordingly, protects from various kinds of life’s misfortunes. Their significance for Buddhists is enormous.

The symbol of Buddhism, the Divine Good Umbrella, represents the spiritual protection of the Buddha, which he extends to all living beings. On a gross material level, the Umbrella represents a symbol of nobility, wealth and respect. For an ordinary person, this had a certain meaning - the more umbrellas a person’s servants carried, the higher his status in society.

On a spiritual level, the Umbrella was a talisman for everyone from their life’s sufferings, from all sorts of obstacles and illnesses, including mental ones. The yellow or white color of the Good Umbrella symbolizes the spiritual power of the Buddha. The dome of the Umbrella represents wisdom, and the decorations in the form of fringes or frills represent how compassion is shown in this world for all living on Earth.

Goldfish are not actually made of gold, but their scales sparkle in the sun in such a way that they dazzle with their brilliance. These are two sacred golden carps, which in the East are considered practically deities. For society they have the meaning of real natural resources, abundance, well-being of land and water spaces. Since Pisces is a couple, they are also considered a symbol of the spouses’ fidelity and their long life.

On a more subtle level, Pisces symbolize the achievement of spiritual wealth, and liberation from the boundaries and framework of earthly existence. Fish swim freely in river and ocean waters - like them, a person who has achieved true enlightenment is infinitely free and happy.

The Precious Vase or Vase of Abundance is a symbol of prosperity, a long happy life and the realization of your plans. This is a golden ceremonial vessel, decorated with lotus images and inlaid with precious stones. The neck of the Vase is sealed with a cork made of wood, which can fulfill any desire, and is tied with a silk scarf from the world of the gods. It is believed that the Precious Vase is always full, no matter how much is taken from it.

On a spiritual level, the Vase is the focus of spiritual merits and virtues, as well as a symbol of the embodiment of good intentions and desires. The Vase also has a meaning of peace, which is why these ceremonial objects are usually buried on the territory of temples.

The Lotus Flower is perhaps the most famous of all the symbols of Buddhism; it is familiar even to those who have no idea about this teaching. It is a symbol of perfection, holiness and spiritual purity. Quite often, followers of the Buddha are depicted as being on a lotus flower - this is an illustration of their involvement in holiness.

Just as a lotus flower grew out of the mud and turbidity of swamps, remaining pure and unsullied, a Buddhist adept who sincerely follows the path of his Teacher is able to purify himself physically and spiritually, and, in addition, get rid of the attachments imposed on a person by this world.

The Lotus flower, among other things, is a symbol of independence from Samsara - the endless circle of lives and deaths, and therefore is of great importance for followers of Buddhism.

The White Shell is an indispensable attribute of all ancient Indian gods, with the help of which they proclaimed victory over their enemies. The sound of the shell scared away evil demons, instilling in them fear of the power of the gods. This is a symbol of the great voice of Dharma.

The curl of the White Shell is turned not to the left, like in ordinary mollusks, but to the right. According to the teachings of Buddhism, in order to acquire the right curl, the mollusk must live five lives in a row as one of the ordinary creatures.

In Buddhism, the Shell has meaning as a symbol of the spread of the teachings of Buddhism and its superiority over other cults. The sound of the Shell spreads in all directions - also the teachings of Buddhism freely penetrate into all corners of the Earth, acquiring its true meaning.

The Endless Knot symbol represents the connection of all living beings and everything that happens in the Universe. The knot has neither beginning nor end - it is a symbol of a person’s absolutely complete acquisition of all wisdom and virtues.

The knot can have different shapes - it can be a swastika, which is located on the chest of Buddha, or a curl of happiness that Krishna wears. The Knot can also have the shape of a diamond, which closes at all its corners. In addition, Buddhists see the contours of the Endless Knot in the meaning of those marks located on the cobra's hood. At the spiritual level of Buddhism, the Knot is infinite compassion for all living things and the highest degree of wisdom.

The Banner of Victory or the Banner of Victory - on the material level symbolizes victory over obstacles and enemies, over ignorance and everything false that generally exists in the world. The Victory Banner existed back in the days of the ancient Indian kings and was a cylindrical banner with an emblem attached to a wooden pole.

For Buddhism, the Banner of Victory is a symbol of the Buddha’s superiority over all demons and the god of illusions, Mara, as well as over all world malice and aggression. It is believed that the Buddha's teachings conquered ignorance and death, since he was able to achieve divine enlightenment and break out of the circle of Samsara.

The last eighth good symbol is the Wheel of Dharma. It has meaning as a symbol of change and constant movement forward. This Wheel is a means of transportation for the Lord of the World, Chakravartin. It is shown with eight spokes, a hub with three or four scrolls and a rim decorated with ribbons and lotus flowers. The spokes are the eightfold path of the Buddha, the axis of the wheel represents morality as the foundation. The curls on the hub are overcoming desire, anger and ignorance (if there are three of them) or symbols of the teaching of the Four Truths (if there are four).

Eight spokes cut through all the obstacles in their path that prevent them from reaching true enlightenment. All eight qualities must be correct - view, thinking, speech, behavior, lifestyle, effort, awareness and contemplation. The faster the Wheel of Dharma moves, the faster a person's spiritual growth occurs if he follows the Eightfold Path.

There are other, less globally important Buddhist symbols. This is a mandala, which is a model of the Universe where deities live, a mantra is a mystical sound formula that can influence the material world, and a stupa is a sacred ritual structure, which is a model of the universe and the body of the Buddha himself. Also, Hindu symbols have taken root in Buddhism - the Vanaspati illusion mask, the swastika twisting to the right, the chakra, which in Hinduism was a symbol of the power of the gods, as well as the well-known mantra of compassion OM or, which has the meaning of an absolute syllable. So the symbolism of Buddhism did not appear out of nowhere.