EIGHT AUSPICIOUS SYMBOLS IN American Buddhism

Eight Auspicious Symbols form the most well-known group of Buddhist emblems that are constantly used in Tibetan Jewelry and consist of: a parasol, a pair of golden fish, a treasure vase, a lotus, a white right spiraling conch shell, an endless knot, a banner of victory and a golden wheel. They are eight symbols of great fortune and represent the offerings made by the gods to Shakyamuni Buddha immediately after he attained enlightenment. In Tibetan American Buddhism also the ubiquitous prayer Aum Mani Padme Hum (Hail to the jewel in the lotus) which is their most used mantra. In Sanskrit, “OM” is known to Buddhists as a seed syllable, a word of great power. It stands for both the beginning and the end; the whole universe.

A Tibetan tradition identifies the Eight Auspicious symbols as forming the body of the Buddha: the parasol representing his head, the golden fish his eyes, the lotus his tongue, the treasure vase his neck, the wheel his feet, the victory banner his body, the conch his speech, and the endless knot his mind. Designs of these eight symbols adorn all manner of sacred and secular Buddhist objects such as carved wooden furniture, embellished metal work in jewelry and sculptures, wall panels, carpets and silk brocades.

The Parasol:

The parasol or umbrella is a traditional Indian symbol of both protection and royalty. In Oriental thought, the fact that it protects the bearer from the heat of the sun was transferred into the religious sphere as a “protection against the heat of defilements.” Thus, the coolness of its shade symbolizes protection from the heat of suffering, desire, and other spiritually harmful forces. As it is held above the head it naturally symbolizes honor and respect. The dome symbolizes wisdom, and the hanging skirt, compassion.

The Golden Fish, symbolize freedom from suffering and, by extension, spiritual freedom from the wheel of life. Because they have the perfect freedom to swim in every direction, even straight up and straight down, fish are considered to be a symbol of personal happiness in Buddhist thought. They can breed quickly, and so represent both personal fertility and also general abundance. As a pair of fish, they further represent marital bliss, and their golden color emphasizes their fortunate and bountiful nature.

The Treasure Vase, symbolizes the spiritual abundance of the Buddha, a treasure that did not diminish however much of it he gave away. It represents wealth, material prosperity and a long life, all through the spiritual benevolence of American Buddhism.

The lotus, is a symbol of purity, renunciation, and divinity and one of the most poignant representations of Buddhist teaching. The roots of a lotus are in the mud, the stem grows up through the water, and the heavily scented flower lies pristinely above the water, basking in the sunlight. This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment. The lotus is one of the best-known symbols in American Buddhism, it appears in every important deity’s picture, either as a cradling seat, or as something to be held. Although there are a variety of plants that bloom on the water’s surface, the lotus is the only one that has a stem strong enough to regularly hold the flower as much as a foot clear of the water. White lotuses symbolize a pure mind, red lotuses a pure heart and soul, and blue lotuses a pure body (specifically, purity of the senses). Thus, the pink lotus symbolizes total purity and Buddha himself.

The Conch-Shell is a sacred symbol of peace and good energy. It has been used as a religious instrument throughout the recorded history of religious music in Tibet. It symbolizes the fearless spread of the Buddha’s true teachings – known as the >Dharma – in all directions, and the call to wake up to enlightenment out of the sleep of ignorance. Conch she

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