Symbols in Buddhism

When visiting a monastery, the five main that can be found there are Lotus Flowers, Dhamma Wheels, Buddhist Flags, Bodhi Tree and a Stupa. In addition, the images of the Buddha are the most popular objects in a monastery. Each of these bears a special meaning in Buddhism

Lotus Flowers

“The lotus has its roots in the mud,

Grows up through the deep water,

And rises to the surface.

It blooms into perfect beauty and purity in the sunlight.”

The lotus flower represents purity because it is not dirtied by the filth of the mud in which it grows. Those who follow the Buddha’s teachings aim to be like the lotus. They hope to remain pure in a world of impure temptation.

The Dhamma Wheel

Once we start driving the car, the wheels of the car will keep rolling until it reaches the destination. Ever since the Buddha first started teaching Dhamma, the Truth has spread continuously and all over the world. This will continue until beings are freed from their suffering. The Dhamma Wheel is a symbol of the continuous spreading of the Buddha’s teachings to help people live more happily.

Buddhist Flag

According to Buddhist records, as the Buddha sat under the Bodhi Tree, six rays of light emitted from his body after his enlightenment. Based on this, the Buddhist flag indicates that all the different races in the world can live happily under the shield of the Buddha’s wisdom.

Bodhi Tree

The Bodhi Tree is a pipala tree, a kind of fig tree found in India. It became known as the Bodhi Tree after the Buddha had attained Enlightenment underneath it. Today, it is used to represent the wisdom of the Buddha. It is therefore called the Tree of Wisdom, and is respected all over the world by Buddhists. To honor the Bodhi Tree is a way of showing gratitude for the wisdom realized by the Buddha.

Stupa

A stupa is a monument where the sacred remains of the Buddha ot noble monks are kept so that people can pay their respect to them. Today, a stupa serves as a symbol for Buddhists to recall the good conduct of the Buddha and noble monks.

Buddhist Shrines and Images

People often feel the need to remember the things they love and respect in a form that they can see. For instance, a photograph is kept in order to remember a loved one. The national flag is a reminder of the loyalty people feel towards their country.

The photograph and national flag are examples of symbols in remembrance of the qualities of the people or things that are being represented. They form the focal point of one’s feelings of love, respect and loyalty.

In the same way, the shrine found in Buddhist homes or monasteries is a focal point of observance. At the center of the shrine, there is usually an image of the Buddha. This image may be made of variety of materials such as marble, gold, wood or clay. The image is a symbol that helps people to remember the qualities of the Buddha.

The shrine may also have such objects as a volume of Buddhist scripture to represent the Dhamma. Some shrines may display other items such as images, pictures or photographs of Buddhist monks and masters to represent the Sangha.

When Buddhist stand before a shrine, the objects they see on it help to remind them of the qualities that are found in the Buddha and the Sangha. This inspires them to work towards cultivating these qualities in themselves.

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