Tibetan Buddhist symbols and their religious and spiritual significance...The article of this blogger published in Merinews, 21 February, 2015 and later disseminated by Buddhist Channel TV of Thailand (https://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=5,12189,0,0,1,0} is being repoduced at the time Losar festivals of various Buddhist sects are being celebrated during spring season of 2023.
It goes like this:
Every religion has some simple visual symbols to represent itself and convey its essence. There are eight Tibetan Buddhist symbols representing the essence of the religion. Often, these symbols are used as wall painting or floor paintings on the occasion of religious festivals on ceremonies.
The eight symbols of Tibetan Buddhism that are drawn on the house walls like mandanas on the eve of Losar - the Tibetan New Year - are said to be auspicious and keep the evil spirits away. Therefore, the drawing these religious symbols of Buddhism on special occasions is considered good omen.
From time to time, various Buddhist symbolic innovations were introduced but they got formalized as eight symbols called Ashtamangala or eight auspicious symbols as domestic and public art on religious occasions with esoteric meaning, religious connotations and life values. However, the Ashtamangala symbols spread with Buddhism to the art of many cultures and countries, including Indian, Tibetan, Nepalese, and Chinese art.
The eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism are lotus flower; endless knot; golden fish pair; victory banner; wheel of dharma; treasure vase; parasol; and conch shell. For example, lotus flower, wheel and conch with religious meanings are used in Hinduism too.
In Tibetan Buddhism, the visual symbols that represent religious or spiritual development are lotus flower, endless knot, wheel of Dharma and conch shell representing purity and enlightenment; eternal harmony; knowledge and thoughts of Buddha respectively. On the other hand, the golden fish pair, victory banner, treasure vase and parasol represent worldly success and stand for conjugal happiness, overcoming barriers and obstacles; prosperity and good luck.
https://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=5,12189,0,0,1,0
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