Symbols 1

1. The central religious symbols.

2. The religious meaning of these symbols.

3. The way symbolism provides distinctiveness to a religion.

4. The contribution of symbolism to religious art, music and written expression.

Many Buddhist symbols need to be examined within the culture of adherents. A number of early symbols relate to ancient India and are shared with Hinduism, although usually with a different meaning.

Symbols for the BuddhaAn Enlightened being who discovers and teachers the Dhamma; the historical person, Siddhartha Gotama who discovered and taught the Dhmrma in the 5th Century BCE: early Buddhist art tends to portray the Buddha symbolically using images. These include the Dhamma Wheeldhammakara, a Buddhist symbol representing the Dhamma and the path to Nibbana (the Buddha is known as a Wheel-Turner, one who sets a new cycle of teaching in motion), the Bodhi TreeA Pipal tree under which the Buddha achieved Enlightenment (the tree under which the Gotama(Pali) family name of the historical Buddha achieved Enlightenment), footprints (these often have Dhamma Wheels on them, one of the 32 marks of a great man), an empty throne (referring to the Buddha's royal ancestry and rule over the spiritualA word with many religious connotations, often used to describe a multiplicity of phenomena that would include inner, reflective or emotional experiences, and those aspects of life that give it meaning and depth or which are profoundly moving or aesthetic. world), a begging bowlThe bowl carried by Buddhist monks and nuns, in which members of the laity may place food (alluding to the bowl of milk rice offered to him as an ascetic, which made him realize that the middle wayA description of the Buddhist concept of achieving enlightenment between the contrasting paths of indulgence and asceticism between asceticism and self indulgence was the right path), and a lion (the Buddha's teachings are sometimes referred to as the 'Lions Roar', indicating their strength and power). Alongside these, Buddhist households may have a statue of the historical Buddha, a Buddha (e.g. Amitaba) or a BodhisattvaSomeone on the path to becoming a Buddha (e.g. Avalokatesvara). These statues are usually kept on a high shelf as a mark of respect and are given offerings such as water, incense or food. Statues are usually the focal point in Buddhist Temples and may be used as an aid to Buddha devotions. They are always treated respectfully, with Buddhists removing their shoes, kneeling before them, or even prostrating themselves before them.

The Triple GemA way of referring to the three refuges: the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha: the Triple Gem is usually represented as three jewels and symbolizes the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha The community of Buddhist monks and nuns- the Three RefugesThe Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha; formulaically taking refuge in these is a defining Buddhist characteristic.

Muddas: muddas are symbolic hand gestures used in Buddhist iconography and meditation. They represent a number of key events in the life of the Buddha, doctrines and values such as fearlessness.

As Buddhism spread, Buddhist symbolism was enriched by the cultures it came into contact with. This is especially true of Buddhism in Tibet, which has developed a rich symbolic tradition. The central representations of Tibetan Buddhism are the eight auspicious symbolsSymbols used in Tibetan Buddhism: the endless knot, lotus flower, victory banner, dharma wheel, treasure vase, golden fish pair, parasol, conch shell:

Parasol (embodying notions of wealth)

Golden Fish

Treasure Vase

Lotus

Conch Shell

Endless Knot

Victory Banner

Dharma Wheel

Mandalas are often used in Tibetan Buddhism, particularly Tantra. It usually consists of a number of concentric circles representing the cosmos. In Tantric meditation practices mandalas act as a 'sacred space' symbolising Buddhafields or purelands and space where the confusion of samsara cannot penetrate. By visualizing purelands, one learns to understand experience itself as pure, and the abode of enlightenment.

The Buddhist FlagThe flag created by Colonel Henry Steele Olcott, symbolising the Dharma and peace is a comparatively modern Buddhist symbol. It was designed by Colonel Henry Steele Olcott in 1880 and is now used worldwide to represent Buddhism and symbolise faith and peace.

Websites

http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/general_symbols_buddhism.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_symbolism

http://www.buddha101.com/buddha101/c_image_frames.htm

http://www.buddhanet.net/gallery.htm

http://www.cleo.net.uk/resources/displayframe.php?src=434/consultants_re... Andy Weber's guide to creating a Buddhist artwork

http://www.cleo.net.uk/resources/displayframe.php?src=462/consultants_re... - How to make a lotus, & the lotus as a Buddhist symbol

http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/symbols/

http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/symbols.htm

Bibliography

Cush, D. 1994. Buddhism (Student’s Approach to World Religions). London: Hodder.

Gethin, R. 1998.The Foundations of Buddhism (OPUS). Oxford: Oxford Paperbacks.