Buddhist Symbols

Camera Shy… It is said that the Buddha was reluctant to

accept images of himself, as he did not like to be venerated as a person.

To symbolise the Buddha in the very early art, one used mainly the Eight Spoked Wheel and the Bodhi Tree, but also the Buddha's Footprints, an Empty Throne, a Begging Bowl and a Lion are used to represent him.

The Dharmachakra

has eight spokes, symbolising the Eight-fold Noble Path.

The 3 swirling segments in centre represent the Buddha, Dharma (the teachings) and Sangha(the spiritual community).

The wheel can also be divided into three parts, each representing an aspect of Buddhist practice; the hub (discipline), the spokes (wisdom), and the rim (concentration).

Bodhi Tree Refers to the tree under

which the Buddha achieved enlightenment

Tree worship was already part of the existing culture in India, so the development of the bodhi tree and leaf as a devotional symbol was a natural one.

A Bodhi Tree is grown in Buddhist centres

Buddha’s footprints The story goes that

prior to his death the Buddha left an imprint of his foot on a stone near Kusinara,

a reminder of his presence on earth.

The Begging-bowl shortly before the Buddha

reached enlightenment, a young woman named Sujata offered him a bowl of milk-rice.

Monks go into the street with their bowl and eat only what is placed in there by others

The Lion one of Buddhism's most

potent symbols. associated with regality,

strength and power. Buddha who tradition

has it was a royal prince. The Buddha's teachings

are sometimes referred to as the 'Lion's Roar', indicating their strength and power.

The Lotus Grows up from the mud

through muddy water to blossom

Purification and enlightenment

the stem stands for the practice of Buddhist teachings which raise the mind above the (mud of) worldly existence, and gives rise to purity of mind.

Open blossom enlightenment Closed blossom potential for

enlightenment

The white elephant The white elephant The white elephant

here symbolizes here symbolizes perfect wisdom and perfect wisdom and royal powerroyal power

In India, an In India, an elephant is elephant is accounted the most accounted the most sacred animal on sacred animal on earth.earth.