not given, "Buddhism."Academic American Encyclopedia. 2nd. 2000.
not given, "Buddhist Symbols." Veiw on Buddhism . 2008. not given. 22 May 2008
Jessie and I shared information.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Bibliography
not given, "Buddhist Holidays and Festivals." UrbanDharma.org. 2008. UrbanDharma. 22 May 2008 .
not given, "Buddhism."Academic American Encyclopedia. 2nd. 2000.
not given, "Buddhist Symbols." Veiw on Buddhism . 2008. not given. 22 May 2008.
Jessie and I shared information.
not given, "Buddhism."Academic American Encyclopedia. 2nd. 2000.
not given, "Buddhist Symbols." Veiw on Buddhism . 2008. not given. 22 May 2008
Jessie and I shared information.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
final
Comparing Buddhism and Christianity
By Kelsey Caminiti
Did you know that Buddhism started in 480 BC? There are many different religions in the world. They all have differences and similarities. Religion is based on beliefs of people and groups. Religions have affected everyone in the world. They have started wars, brought people together, and changed the world. Buddhism is very different from the beliefs in Christianity. They were started at different times, by different people, and in different places. These two religions have different beliefs, histories, holidays and ceremonies, and symbols. These religions have created a very different way of life for the people of that particular belief.
One thing that makes Buddhism and Christianity very different is their beliefs. Buddhists have a very unique religion. Unlike Christianity, which strongly believes that there is one God, Buddhists do not believe in any god. Buddhists do believe in rebirth until they have reached enlightenment. Christians on the other hand believe that God will reward people when they die by letting them into heaven, bringing them closer to God, if they have led a life as a good person. If they have not, they will be punished by being sent to purgatory or hell. Buddhist people live by the 4 noble truths. These are the rules the first Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama the first person the Buddhists believe was enlightened, taught his followers. The four noble truths are:life is full of suffering and we need to accept it, suffering is caused by craving, suffering can cease, and practicing the Eightfold Path will lead to enlightenment. The eightfold Path is also a belief that Siddhartha Gautama taught his people. This is a view of what is right, built by 8 ways of life, these include concentration, mediation and right of conduct. The Christian religion on the other hand lives by the 10 commandments. Many of the commandments have the same message, but they have a different way of going about them. For example, the Christians believe in praying to God when they are suffering. The Buddhists, believe that the way to escape suffering is too get rid of all greed and wanting. Both believe that greed is a sin, but they have different ways of expressing it. Mediation is a big part of Buddhism. It is one of the ways to reach enlightenment, which is a Buddhist goal in life. In Christianity the goal is to reach heaven, and to be with God when you die. To do this you much pray and have good conduct. In the Buddhist religion life is about finding the reason for suffering and escaping it. In Christianity the goal is much less complex, to lead a life as a good person, praying to God, and to love him over all.
The second thing that makes Buddhism and Christianity so different is the history and background of the religions. Buddhism started in Lumbini, which is near Kapilavastu. Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born there. He lived from 560 to 480 BC. He was believed to be the son of a ruler of the Sakya clan. His father loved him so much that he wanted to hide all the things in the world that would make his son sad, but when Siddhartha turned 29 be wanted to know more about the world so he left his home. When he left his home he saw 4 kinds of suffering: death, growing old, sickness, and poverty. He wondered why there was so much suffering in the world and why we could not stop it. He resolved to find out. For 7 years Siddhartha deprived himself from all his desires. He left his wife and children, and lived along, homeless and poor. He thought by suffering he would find out why we suffered. He concluded that killing himself would not help him find his answer. He had discovered one thing, suffering was caused by wanting, and if you could find out how not to want you would reach enlightenment. After years of study, Siddhartha arrived in Boda Gaya in India. Here he finally reached enlightenment under a bodhi tree. He was believed to be the first Buddha. He taught what he learned to people and Buddhism began. It has spread though out the world. Christianity also started with one person, but the followers did have it as easy as the Buddhists. The founder of the Christian religion is Jesus Christ. Jesus was born in Israel. The Virgin Mary, his mother, was unable to get a room in the Inn, so Jesus was born in a barn among the animals. He was believed to be the son of God. Jesus was raised Jewish. When he got older he began to have different beliefs. He showed and shared these. He gained some followers, but the government became scared. They were against him and his new beliefs. Jesus was persecuted because of this. His disciples went to look his body in his toms, but it was found empty. Jesus had been resurrected. He is now believed to be the son of God. Christianity spread from Israel though out the world. It is now the largest religion.
The third reason that Christianity and Buddhism are so different is because of the holidays and ceremonies celebrated. Many special holy days in the Buddhist religion have to do with celebrating the birthday or Bodhisattvas. Many of these holidays are defined from the moon. The holidays of the Buddhist religion do not concentrate on gift giving. The holidays of the Christian religion are very different. Most of them are gift giving holidays. They each have a set date, and are not defined by the moon. Most of them have to do with Jesus being born, resurrected, or dieing. In Christianity there are many ceremonies as a part of living by the religion. Children are baptized, which will remove the original sin from your sole. There are also ceremonies for confession and a first communion. Both are very important to the Christian religion. They are meant to bring people closer to god, and show that they are dedicated. In Buddhism there are no special ceremonies that will bring you closer to enlightenment. The Buddhists meditate and look at there good conduct. They may have shrines for the Buddha, but they do not have ceremonies that can bring you closer to enlightenment.
The Forth reason that these two religions are so different is because of the symbols they use. The symbols in Buddhism relate to the people who have followed it. Many of the early symbols relate to ancient India and can be found in Hinduism as well, although they may have a different meaning. One important symbol in Buddhism is the “wheel of life”. It illustrates the teaching with ornamental stone carvings that come from the time of the Emperor Asoka. The wheel has eight spokes and the bodhi tree, but it can also have the Buddha’s footprints, and Empty throne, a begging bowl, and a lion. The wheel symbolizes the turning of the wheel of truth or law. This is another one of Buddha’s teachings. Each part of the wheel is part of a story and has a lesson. One of the symbols of Christianity is the sign of the cross. This symbol is much less complex to understand. Jesus died on the cross for his people, so Christians look to the cross as a sign of respect and remembrance of Jesus the son of God. Christianity has a bible. The bible is very different from any form of writing that the Buddhist have. The bible has the Old Testament, which are stories about the Christian people before Jesus Christ was born. Most of these stories are about Jewish people. After Jesus was born the New Testament starts. These are stories about the Christian people during Jesus’ life. The Buddhists do not have writings telling any stories about there religion. Before the first Buddha there were no Buddha beliefs, so there are no stories of the religion before it started. Buddhists do have books similar to the bible, but they are not as important to the religion as the bible it to Christianity.
By Kelsey Caminiti
Did you know that Buddhism started in 480 BC? There are many different religions in the world. They all have differences and similarities. Religion is based on beliefs of people and groups. Religions have affected everyone in the world. They have started wars, brought people together, and changed the world. Buddhism is very different from the beliefs in Christianity. They were started at different times, by different people, and in different places. These two religions have different beliefs, histories, holidays and ceremonies, and symbols. These religions have created a very different way of life for the people of that particular belief.
One thing that makes Buddhism and Christianity very different is their beliefs. Buddhists have a very unique religion. Unlike Christianity, which strongly believes that there is one God, Buddhists do not believe in any god. Buddhists do believe in rebirth until they have reached enlightenment. Christians on the other hand believe that God will reward people when they die by letting them into heaven, bringing them closer to God, if they have led a life as a good person. If they have not, they will be punished by being sent to purgatory or hell. Buddhist people live by the 4 noble truths. These are the rules the first Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama the first person the Buddhists believe was enlightened, taught his followers. The four noble truths are:life is full of suffering and we need to accept it, suffering is caused by craving, suffering can cease, and practicing the Eightfold Path will lead to enlightenment. The eightfold Path is also a belief that Siddhartha Gautama taught his people. This is a view of what is right, built by 8 ways of life, these include concentration, mediation and right of conduct. The Christian religion on the other hand lives by the 10 commandments. Many of the commandments have the same message, but they have a different way of going about them. For example, the Christians believe in praying to God when they are suffering. The Buddhists, believe that the way to escape suffering is too get rid of all greed and wanting. Both believe that greed is a sin, but they have different ways of expressing it. Mediation is a big part of Buddhism. It is one of the ways to reach enlightenment, which is a Buddhist goal in life. In Christianity the goal is to reach heaven, and to be with God when you die. To do this you much pray and have good conduct. In the Buddhist religion life is about finding the reason for suffering and escaping it. In Christianity the goal is much less complex, to lead a life as a good person, praying to God, and to love him over all.
The second thing that makes Buddhism and Christianity so different is the history and background of the religions. Buddhism started in Lumbini, which is near Kapilavastu. Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born there. He lived from 560 to 480 BC. He was believed to be the son of a ruler of the Sakya clan. His father loved him so much that he wanted to hide all the things in the world that would make his son sad, but when Siddhartha turned 29 be wanted to know more about the world so he left his home. When he left his home he saw 4 kinds of suffering: death, growing old, sickness, and poverty. He wondered why there was so much suffering in the world and why we could not stop it. He resolved to find out. For 7 years Siddhartha deprived himself from all his desires. He left his wife and children, and lived along, homeless and poor. He thought by suffering he would find out why we suffered. He concluded that killing himself would not help him find his answer. He had discovered one thing, suffering was caused by wanting, and if you could find out how not to want you would reach enlightenment. After years of study, Siddhartha arrived in Boda Gaya in India. Here he finally reached enlightenment under a bodhi tree. He was believed to be the first Buddha. He taught what he learned to people and Buddhism began. It has spread though out the world. Christianity also started with one person, but the followers did have it as easy as the Buddhists. The founder of the Christian religion is Jesus Christ. Jesus was born in Israel. The Virgin Mary, his mother, was unable to get a room in the Inn, so Jesus was born in a barn among the animals. He was believed to be the son of God. Jesus was raised Jewish. When he got older he began to have different beliefs. He showed and shared these. He gained some followers, but the government became scared. They were against him and his new beliefs. Jesus was persecuted because of this. His disciples went to look his body in his toms, but it was found empty. Jesus had been resurrected. He is now believed to be the son of God. Christianity spread from Israel though out the world. It is now the largest religion.
The third reason that Christianity and Buddhism are so different is because of the holidays and ceremonies celebrated. Many special holy days in the Buddhist religion have to do with celebrating the birthday or Bodhisattvas. Many of these holidays are defined from the moon. The holidays of the Buddhist religion do not concentrate on gift giving. The holidays of the Christian religion are very different. Most of them are gift giving holidays. They each have a set date, and are not defined by the moon. Most of them have to do with Jesus being born, resurrected, or dieing. In Christianity there are many ceremonies as a part of living by the religion. Children are baptized, which will remove the original sin from your sole. There are also ceremonies for confession and a first communion. Both are very important to the Christian religion. They are meant to bring people closer to god, and show that they are dedicated. In Buddhism there are no special ceremonies that will bring you closer to enlightenment. The Buddhists meditate and look at there good conduct. They may have shrines for the Buddha, but they do not have ceremonies that can bring you closer to enlightenment.
The Forth reason that these two religions are so different is because of the symbols they use. The symbols in Buddhism relate to the people who have followed it. Many of the early symbols relate to ancient India and can be found in Hinduism as well, although they may have a different meaning. One important symbol in Buddhism is the “wheel of life”. It illustrates the teaching with ornamental stone carvings that come from the time of the Emperor Asoka. The wheel has eight spokes and the bodhi tree, but it can also have the Buddha’s footprints, and Empty throne, a begging bowl, and a lion. The wheel symbolizes the turning of the wheel of truth or law. This is another one of Buddha’s teachings. Each part of the wheel is part of a story and has a lesson. One of the symbols of Christianity is the sign of the cross. This symbol is much less complex to understand. Jesus died on the cross for his people, so Christians look to the cross as a sign of respect and remembrance of Jesus the son of God. Christianity has a bible. The bible is very different from any form of writing that the Buddhist have. The bible has the Old Testament, which are stories about the Christian people before Jesus Christ was born. Most of these stories are about Jewish people. After Jesus was born the New Testament starts. These are stories about the Christian people during Jesus’ life. The Buddhists do not have writings telling any stories about there religion. Before the first Buddha there were no Buddha beliefs, so there are no stories of the religion before it started. Buddhists do have books similar to the bible, but they are not as important to the religion as the bible it to Christianity.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
1st draft
There are many different religions in the world. They all have differences and similarities. Religion is based on beliefs of people and groups. Religions have affected everyone in the world. They have started wars, brought people together, and changed the world. Buddhism is very different from the beliefs in Christianity. These religions have different beliefs, holidays and ceremonies, symbols, and backgrounds. These have created a very different way of life for the people of that belief.
One thing that makes Buddhism and Christianity very different is their beliefs. Buddhists have a very unique way. Unlike Christianity, which strongly believes that there is one God, Buddhists do not believe in any god. Buddhists do believe in rebirth until they have reached enlightenment. Christians on the other hand believe that God will reward people when they die by letting them into heaven, bringing them closer to God, if they have led a life as a good person. If they have not, they will be punished by being sent to purgatory or hell. Buddhist people live by the 4 noble truths. These are the rules the first Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama the first person the Buddhist believe was enlightened, taught his followers. The four noble truths are: that life is full of suffering and we need to accept it, suffering is caused by craving, suffering can cease, and practicing the Eightfold Path will lead to enlightenment. The eightfold Path is also a belief that Siddhartha Gautama taught his people. This is a view of what is right, built by 8 ways of life, these include concentration, mediation, right or conduct, etc. The Christian religion on the other hand lives by the 10 commandments. Many of the commandments have the same message, but they have a different way of going about them. For example, the Christians believe in praying to God when they are suffering. The Buddhists, believe that the way to escape suffering is too get rid of all greed and wanting. Both believe that greed is a sin, but they have different ways of expressing it. Mediation is a big part of Buddhism. It is one of the ways to reach enlightenment, which is a Buddhist goal in life. In Christianity the goal is to reach heaven and be with God when you die. To do this you much pray and have good conduct. In the Buddhist religion life is about finding the reason for suffering and escaping it. In Christianity the goal is much less complex, to lead a life as a good person, praying to God and to love him over all.
The second thing that makes Buddhism and Christianity so different is the history and background of the religions. Buddhism started in Lumbini, which is near Kapilavastu. Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born there. He lived form 560 to 480 BC. He was believed to be the son of a ruler of the Sakya clan. His father loved him so much that he wanted to hide all the things in the world that would make his son sad, but when Siddhartha turned 29 be wanted to know more about the world so he left his home. When he left his home he saw 4 kinds of suffering: death, growing old, sickness, and poverty. He wondered why there was so much suffering in the world and why we could not stop it. He resolved to find out. For 7 years Siddhartha deprived him self from everything. He left his wife and children, and lived homeless and poor. He thought by suffering he would find out why we suffered. He concluded that killing himself would not help him find his answer. He had discovered one thing, suffering was caused by wanting, and if you could find out how to not want you would reach enlightenment. After years of study Siddhartha arrived in Boda Gaya in India. Here he finally reached enlightenment under a bodhi tree. He was believed to be the first Buddha. He taught what he learned to people and Buddhism began. It has spread though out the world. Christianity also started with one person, but the followers did have it as easy as the Buddhists. The founder of the Christian religion is Jesus Chris. Jesus was born in Israel. The virgin Mary, his mother, was unable to get a room in the Inn, so Jesus was born in a barn among the animals. He was believed to be the son of god. Jesus was raised as a Jewish. When he got older he began to have different beliefs. He showed and shared these. He gained some followers, but the government became scared. They were very against him and his new religion. Jesus was persecuted because of this. His deciles went to look his body in his toms, but it was found empty. Jesus had been resurrected. He is now believed to be the son of God. Christianity spread from Israel though out the world. It is now the largest religion.
The third reason that Christianity and Buddhism are so different is because of the holidays and ceremonies celebrated. Many special holy days in the Buddhist religion have to do with celebrating the birthday or Bodhisattvas. Many of these holidays are defined from the moon. The holidays of the Buddhist religion do not concentrate on gift giving. The holidays of the Christian religion are very different. Most of them are gift giving holidays. They each have a set date. Most of them have to do with Jesus being born, resurrected, or dieing.
The Forth reason that these two religions are so different is because of the symbols they use. The symbols in Buddhism relate to the people who have followed it. Many of the early symbols relate to ancient India and can be found in Hinduism as well, although they may have a different meaning. One important symbol in Buddhism is the “wheel of life”. It illustrates the teaching with ornamental stone carvings that come from the time of the Emperor Asoka. The wheel has Eight spokes and the bodhi tree, but it can also have the Buddha’s footprints, and Empty throne, a begging bowl, and a lion. The wheel symbolizes the turning of the wheel of truth or law. This is another one of Buddha’s teachings. Each part of the wheel is part of a story and has a lesson. One of the symbols of Christianity is the sign of the cross. This symbol is much less complex to understand. Jesus died on the cross for his people, so Christians look to the cross as a sign of respect and remembrance of Jesus the son of God.
In conclusion, these two religions are very different in many ways: their beliefs, the history and back round, the holidays and ceremonies celebrated the symbols. There are very few similarities, but the morals and messages are the same in every religion. If we can learn about more and more of them we may understand our world better.
One thing that makes Buddhism and Christianity very different is their beliefs. Buddhists have a very unique way. Unlike Christianity, which strongly believes that there is one God, Buddhists do not believe in any god. Buddhists do believe in rebirth until they have reached enlightenment. Christians on the other hand believe that God will reward people when they die by letting them into heaven, bringing them closer to God, if they have led a life as a good person. If they have not, they will be punished by being sent to purgatory or hell. Buddhist people live by the 4 noble truths. These are the rules the first Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama the first person the Buddhist believe was enlightened, taught his followers. The four noble truths are: that life is full of suffering and we need to accept it, suffering is caused by craving, suffering can cease, and practicing the Eightfold Path will lead to enlightenment. The eightfold Path is also a belief that Siddhartha Gautama taught his people. This is a view of what is right, built by 8 ways of life, these include concentration, mediation, right or conduct, etc. The Christian religion on the other hand lives by the 10 commandments. Many of the commandments have the same message, but they have a different way of going about them. For example, the Christians believe in praying to God when they are suffering. The Buddhists, believe that the way to escape suffering is too get rid of all greed and wanting. Both believe that greed is a sin, but they have different ways of expressing it. Mediation is a big part of Buddhism. It is one of the ways to reach enlightenment, which is a Buddhist goal in life. In Christianity the goal is to reach heaven and be with God when you die. To do this you much pray and have good conduct. In the Buddhist religion life is about finding the reason for suffering and escaping it. In Christianity the goal is much less complex, to lead a life as a good person, praying to God and to love him over all.
The second thing that makes Buddhism and Christianity so different is the history and background of the religions. Buddhism started in Lumbini, which is near Kapilavastu. Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born there. He lived form 560 to 480 BC. He was believed to be the son of a ruler of the Sakya clan. His father loved him so much that he wanted to hide all the things in the world that would make his son sad, but when Siddhartha turned 29 be wanted to know more about the world so he left his home. When he left his home he saw 4 kinds of suffering: death, growing old, sickness, and poverty. He wondered why there was so much suffering in the world and why we could not stop it. He resolved to find out. For 7 years Siddhartha deprived him self from everything. He left his wife and children, and lived homeless and poor. He thought by suffering he would find out why we suffered. He concluded that killing himself would not help him find his answer. He had discovered one thing, suffering was caused by wanting, and if you could find out how to not want you would reach enlightenment. After years of study Siddhartha arrived in Boda Gaya in India. Here he finally reached enlightenment under a bodhi tree. He was believed to be the first Buddha. He taught what he learned to people and Buddhism began. It has spread though out the world. Christianity also started with one person, but the followers did have it as easy as the Buddhists. The founder of the Christian religion is Jesus Chris. Jesus was born in Israel. The virgin Mary, his mother, was unable to get a room in the Inn, so Jesus was born in a barn among the animals. He was believed to be the son of god. Jesus was raised as a Jewish. When he got older he began to have different beliefs. He showed and shared these. He gained some followers, but the government became scared. They were very against him and his new religion. Jesus was persecuted because of this. His deciles went to look his body in his toms, but it was found empty. Jesus had been resurrected. He is now believed to be the son of God. Christianity spread from Israel though out the world. It is now the largest religion.
The third reason that Christianity and Buddhism are so different is because of the holidays and ceremonies celebrated. Many special holy days in the Buddhist religion have to do with celebrating the birthday or Bodhisattvas. Many of these holidays are defined from the moon. The holidays of the Buddhist religion do not concentrate on gift giving. The holidays of the Christian religion are very different. Most of them are gift giving holidays. They each have a set date. Most of them have to do with Jesus being born, resurrected, or dieing.
The Forth reason that these two religions are so different is because of the symbols they use. The symbols in Buddhism relate to the people who have followed it. Many of the early symbols relate to ancient India and can be found in Hinduism as well, although they may have a different meaning. One important symbol in Buddhism is the “wheel of life”. It illustrates the teaching with ornamental stone carvings that come from the time of the Emperor Asoka. The wheel has Eight spokes and the bodhi tree, but it can also have the Buddha’s footprints, and Empty throne, a begging bowl, and a lion. The wheel symbolizes the turning of the wheel of truth or law. This is another one of Buddha’s teachings. Each part of the wheel is part of a story and has a lesson. One of the symbols of Christianity is the sign of the cross. This symbol is much less complex to understand. Jesus died on the cross for his people, so Christians look to the cross as a sign of respect and remembrance of Jesus the son of God.
In conclusion, these two religions are very different in many ways: their beliefs, the history and back round, the holidays and ceremonies celebrated the symbols. There are very few similarities, but the morals and messages are the same in every religion. If we can learn about more and more of them we may understand our world better.
Monday, May 5, 2008
sources
-http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma3/holidays.html
-Academic American Encyclopedia
-http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/general_symbols_buddhism.html
-Academic American Encyclopedia
-http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/general_symbols_buddhism.html
Major beliefs
Major Beliefs-
• 4 noble truths- 1. That this life is suffering. 2. it’s a source of craving. 3. that suffering can cease. 4, the practice of Eightfold Path- of right views, right intention, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration brings about this cessation. (practices concentration meditation, and development of enlightened wisdom all thought to be necessary.)
• Belief in rebirth if not enlightened. (suffering)
• Brahma came down from heaven and requested the Buddha to teach by offering him a Dharmachakra. The Buddha is known as the Wheel-Turner: he who sets a new cycle of teachings in motion and in consequence changes the course of destiny.
• After wandering the countryside for about six years the Buddha finally came to rest in a forest beside the Naranjara River, not far from modern day Bodhgaya. Sitting under a Bodhi tree, ardently practicing meditation, he finally realised his true nature. The next seven days were spent under the tree experiencing the bliss of freedom and contemplating the extent of his new understanding. The story then goes on to relate four other periods of seven days, each spent under a different tree - the Banyan, the Mucalinda and the Rajayatana tree and then once more back to the Banyan. Each of these 'tree scenes' has its own well known story which space here does not allow. The tree of enlightenment is called, in Latin, ficus religiosa, or sacred tree. It is also known as the pipal tree. For Buddhists it is generally called the Bodhi, or Bo tree. Bodhi is the Pali and Sanskrit word for enlightenment. There is a descendant of the original tree still growing at Bodhgaya and Bodhi trees are commonly found in Buddhist centres all over the world."
• Making offerings is a very common practice in the East. Every offering has a specific meaning, for example offering light is to dispel the darkness of one's ignorance, or offering incense to increase one's ethical behaviour. Offering is considered a good training against greed and attachment.
• The Eight Offerings: Offering water to cleanse the mouth or face: It signifies auspiciousness or all the positive causes and conditions which bring positive effects. So, make an offering of water which is clean, fresh, cool, smooth, light, delicious, comfortable to the throat and stomach - these qualities are the qualities of auspiciousness.
-Offering water to wash the feet: This is clear water mixed with incense or sandalwood which is made as an offering to all enlightened beings' feet. The symbolic meaning is purification. By cleansing the feet of the enlightened beings, we cleanse all our own negative karma and obscurations. By making offerings to clean the enlightened beings feet, we are really cleaning the "feet" of our own mind.
-Offering flowers signifies the practice of generosity and opens the heart.
-Offering incense symbolises moral ethics or discipline.
-Offering light signifies the stability and clarity of patience, the beauty which dispels all ignorance. According to Ven. Norlha Rinpoche: "It is also excellent to offer the butterlamps, candles or light because this act of offering this light symbolizes burning away our mental afflictions of desire, aggression, greed, jealousy, pride and so forth. The other part of the symbolism is that it is a way to burn away our illness."
-Offering of perfume or the fragrance from saffron or sandalwood. It signifies perseverance or joyous effort. Through that one quality, one develops all the qualities of enlightenment.
-Offering of food which has a lot of different tastes signifies samadhi, which is a nectar or ambrosia to feed the mind.
-Offering of musical instruments. There are different types of instruments -- cymbals, bells, guitars, lutes - - all of these are offered. Their nature is wisdom, which makes an offering to the ears of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and all the enlightened beings. Sound represents wisdom because wisdom is a special power of the mind which penetrates phenomena. Compassion is achieved through great wisdom; interdependence of all phenomena is realised through great wisdom. of course all phenomena have the nature of interdependence, causes and conditions, but sound is especially easy to understand.
• 4 noble truths- 1. That this life is suffering. 2. it’s a source of craving. 3. that suffering can cease. 4, the practice of Eightfold Path- of right views, right intention, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration brings about this cessation. (practices concentration meditation, and development of enlightened wisdom all thought to be necessary.)
• Belief in rebirth if not enlightened. (suffering)
• Brahma came down from heaven and requested the Buddha to teach by offering him a Dharmachakra. The Buddha is known as the Wheel-Turner: he who sets a new cycle of teachings in motion and in consequence changes the course of destiny.
• After wandering the countryside for about six years the Buddha finally came to rest in a forest beside the Naranjara River, not far from modern day Bodhgaya. Sitting under a Bodhi tree, ardently practicing meditation, he finally realised his true nature. The next seven days were spent under the tree experiencing the bliss of freedom and contemplating the extent of his new understanding. The story then goes on to relate four other periods of seven days, each spent under a different tree - the Banyan, the Mucalinda and the Rajayatana tree and then once more back to the Banyan. Each of these 'tree scenes' has its own well known story which space here does not allow. The tree of enlightenment is called, in Latin, ficus religiosa, or sacred tree. It is also known as the pipal tree. For Buddhists it is generally called the Bodhi, or Bo tree. Bodhi is the Pali and Sanskrit word for enlightenment. There is a descendant of the original tree still growing at Bodhgaya and Bodhi trees are commonly found in Buddhist centres all over the world."
• Making offerings is a very common practice in the East. Every offering has a specific meaning, for example offering light is to dispel the darkness of one's ignorance, or offering incense to increase one's ethical behaviour. Offering is considered a good training against greed and attachment.
• The Eight Offerings: Offering water to cleanse the mouth or face: It signifies auspiciousness or all the positive causes and conditions which bring positive effects. So, make an offering of water which is clean, fresh, cool, smooth, light, delicious, comfortable to the throat and stomach - these qualities are the qualities of auspiciousness.
-Offering water to wash the feet: This is clear water mixed with incense or sandalwood which is made as an offering to all enlightened beings' feet. The symbolic meaning is purification. By cleansing the feet of the enlightened beings, we cleanse all our own negative karma and obscurations. By making offerings to clean the enlightened beings feet, we are really cleaning the "feet" of our own mind.
-Offering flowers signifies the practice of generosity and opens the heart.
-Offering incense symbolises moral ethics or discipline.
-Offering light signifies the stability and clarity of patience, the beauty which dispels all ignorance. According to Ven. Norlha Rinpoche: "It is also excellent to offer the butterlamps, candles or light because this act of offering this light symbolizes burning away our mental afflictions of desire, aggression, greed, jealousy, pride and so forth. The other part of the symbolism is that it is a way to burn away our illness."
-Offering of perfume or the fragrance from saffron or sandalwood. It signifies perseverance or joyous effort. Through that one quality, one develops all the qualities of enlightenment.
-Offering of food which has a lot of different tastes signifies samadhi, which is a nectar or ambrosia to feed the mind.
-Offering of musical instruments. There are different types of instruments -- cymbals, bells, guitars, lutes - - all of these are offered. Their nature is wisdom, which makes an offering to the ears of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and all the enlightened beings. Sound represents wisdom because wisdom is a special power of the mind which penetrates phenomena. Compassion is achieved through great wisdom; interdependence of all phenomena is realised through great wisdom. of course all phenomena have the nature of interdependence, causes and conditions, but sound is especially easy to understand.
Holidays and Ceremonies
• There are many special or holy days held throughout the year by the Buddhist community. Many of these days celebrate the birthdays of Bodhisattvas in the Mahayana tradition or other significant dates in the Buddhist calendar.
• 3 March
(lunar calendar) : Makha Bucha
Commemorates when 1,250 of Buddha's disciples spontaneously gathered to hear the Buddha preach. Merit-making ceremonies at temples, candlelight processions at night.
• There are many special or holy days held throughout the year by the Buddhist community. Many of these days celebrate the birthdays of Bodhisattvas in the Mahayana tradition or other significant dates in the Buddhist calendar.
• Typically on a festival day, lay people will go the the local temple or monastery and offer food to the monks and take the Five Precepts and listen to a Dharma talk. In the afternoon, they distribute food to the poor to make merit, and in the evening perhaps join in a ceremony of circumambulation of a stupa three times as a sign of respect to the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha. The day will conclude with evening chanting of the Buddha's teachings and meditation.
• Buddhist New Year
In Theravadin countries, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Laos, the new year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April. In Mahayana countries the new year starts on the first full moon day in January. However, the Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the people. As for example, Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese celebrate late January or early February according to the lunar calendar, whilst the Tibetans usually celebrate about one month later.
• Vesak or Visakah Puja ("Buddha Day")
Traditionally, Buddha's Birthday is known as Vesak or Visakah Puja (Buddha's Birthday Celebrations). Vesak is the major Buddhist festival of the year as it celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha on the one day, the first full moon day in May, except in a leap year when the festival is held in June. This celebration is called Vesak being the name of the month in the Indian calendar.
Magha Puja Day (Fourfold Assembly or "Sangha Day")
- Magha Puja Day takes places on the full moon day of the third lunar month (March). This holy day is observed to commemorate an important event in the life of the Buddha. This event occurred early in the Buddha's teaching life.
-After the first Rains Retreat (Vassa) at the Deer Park at Sarnath, the Buddha went to Rajagaha city where 1250 Arahats,(Enlightened saints) who were the Buddha's disciples, without prior appointment, returned from their wanderings to pay respect to the Buddha. They assembled in the Veruvana Monastery with the two chief disciples of the Buddha, Ven. Sariputta and Ven. Moggalana.
-Magha Puja Day (Fourfold Assembly or "Sangha Day")
Magha Puja Day takes places on the full moon day of the third lunar month (March). This holy day is observed to commemorate an important event in the life of the Buddha. This event occurred early in the Buddha's teaching life.
-After the first Rains Retreat (Vassa) at the Deer Park at Sarnath, the Buddha went to Rajagaha city where 1250 Arahats,(Enlightened saints) who were the Buddha's disciples, without prior appointment, returned from their wanderings to pay respect to the Buddha. They assembled in the Veruvana Monastery with the two chief disciples of the Buddha, Ven. Sariputta and Ven. Moggalana.
-The assembly is called the Fourfold Assembly because it consisted of four factors: (1) All 1250 were Arahats; (2) All of them were ordained by the Buddha himself; (3) They assembled by themselves without any prior call; (4) It was the full moon day of Magha month (March).
-Asalha Puja Day ("Dhamma Day")
Asalha Puja means to pay homage to the Buddha on the full moon day of the 8th lunar month (approximately July). It commemorates the Buddha's first teaching: the turning of the wheel of the Dhamma (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) to the five ascetics at the Deer Park (Sarnath) near Benares city, India. Where Kondanna, the senior ascetic attained the first level of enlightenment (the Sotapanna level of mind purity).
-Uposatha (Observance Day)
The four monthly holy days which continue to be observed in Theravada countries - the new moon, full moon, and quarter moon days. Known in Sri Lanka as Poya Day. [ Web Link: Uposatha or Observance Days ]
-Pavarana Day
This day marks the conclusion of the Rains retreat (vassa). In the following month, the kathina ceremony is held, during which the laity gather to make formal offerings of robe cloth and other requisites to the Sangha.
-Kathina Ceremony (Robe offering ceremony)
Is held on any convenient date within one month of the conclusion of the Vassa Retreat, which is the three month rains retreat season (Vassa) for the monastic order. It is the time of the year when new robes and other requisites may be offered by the laity to the monks.
-Anapanasati Day
At the end of one rains retreat (vassa), the Buddha was so pleased with the progress of the assembled monks that he encouraged them to extend their retreat for yet another month. On the full-moon day marking the end of that fourth month of retreat, he presented his now-famous instructions on mindfulness of breathing (anapanasati), which may be found in the Anapanasati Sutta (MN 118) - The Discourse on Mindfulness of Breathing.
-Abhidhamma Day
In the Burmese tradition, this day celebrates the occasion when the Buddha is said to have gone to the Tushita Heaven to teach his mother the Abhidhamma. It is held on the full moon of the seventh month of the Burmese lunar year starting in April which corresponds to the full moon day in October.
Songkran
-This Thai Buddhist festival goes on for several days during the middle of April. People clean their houses and wash their clothes and enjoy sprinkling perfumed water on the monks, novices and other people for at least two or three days. They gather around the riverbank, carrying fishes in jars to put into the water, for April is so hot in Thailand that the ponds dry out and the fish would die if not rescued. People go to the beach or river bank with jars or buckets of water and splash each other. When everyone is happily wet they are usually entertained by boat races on the river.
-Loy Krathong (Festival of Floating Bowls)
At the end of the Kathin Festival season, when the rivers and canals are full of water, the Loy Krathong Festival takes place in all parts of Thailand on the full moon night of the Twelfth Lunar month. People bring bowls made of leaves (which contain flowers) candles and incense sticks, and float them in the water. As they go, all bad luck is suppose to disappear. The traditional practice of Loy Krathong was meant to pay homage to the holy footprint of the Buddha on the beach of the Namada River in India.
-The Ploughing Festival
In May, when the moon is half-full, two white oxen pull a gold painted plough, followed by four girls dressed in white who scatter rice seeds from gold and silver baskets. This is to celebrate the Buddha's first moment of enlightenment, which is said to have happened when the Buddha was seven years old, when he had gone with his father to watched the ploughing. (Known in Thailand as Raek Na)
-The Elephant Festival
The Buddha used the example of a wild elephant which, when it is caught, is harnessed to a tame one to train. In the same way, he said, a person new to Buddhism should have a special friendship of an older Buddhist. To mark this saying, Thais hold an elephant festival on the third Saturday in November.
-The Festival of the Tooth
Kandy is a beautiful city in Sri Lanka. On a small hill is a great temple which was especially built to house a relic of the Buddha - his tooth. The tooth can never be seen, as it is kept deep inside may caskets. But once a year in August, on the night of the full moon, there is a special procession for it.
-Ulambana (Ancestor Day)
Is celebrated throughout the Mahayana tradition from the first to the fifteenth days of the eighth lunar month. It is believed that the gates of Hell are opened on the first day and the ghosts may visit the world for fifteen days. Food offerings are made during this time to relieve the sufferings of these ghosts. On the fifteenth day, Ulambana or Ancestor Day, people visit cemeteries to make offerings to the departed ancestors. Many Theravadins from Cambodia, Laos and Thailand also observe this festival.
-Ulambana is also a Japanese Buddhist festival known as Obon, beginning on the thirteenth of July and lasting for three days, which celebrates the reunion of family ancestors with the living.
-Avalokitesvara’s Birthday (Kuan Yin)
This is a festival which celebrates the Bodhisattva ideal represented by Avalokitesvara. Who represents the perfection of compassion in the Mahayana traditions of Tibet and China. It occurs on the full moon day in March.
Bodhi Day (Enlightenment Day)
Bodhi Day honours the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama -- the Buddha. Buddhists observe the importance of this event by celebrating Bodhi Day usually on the eighth of December. The day is observed in many ways, including prayer, meditation and teachings.
• 3 March
(lunar calendar) : Makha Bucha
Commemorates when 1,250 of Buddha's disciples spontaneously gathered to hear the Buddha preach. Merit-making ceremonies at temples, candlelight processions at night.
• There are many special or holy days held throughout the year by the Buddhist community. Many of these days celebrate the birthdays of Bodhisattvas in the Mahayana tradition or other significant dates in the Buddhist calendar.
• Typically on a festival day, lay people will go the the local temple or monastery and offer food to the monks and take the Five Precepts and listen to a Dharma talk. In the afternoon, they distribute food to the poor to make merit, and in the evening perhaps join in a ceremony of circumambulation of a stupa three times as a sign of respect to the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha. The day will conclude with evening chanting of the Buddha's teachings and meditation.
• Buddhist New Year
In Theravadin countries, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Laos, the new year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April. In Mahayana countries the new year starts on the first full moon day in January. However, the Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the people. As for example, Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese celebrate late January or early February according to the lunar calendar, whilst the Tibetans usually celebrate about one month later.
• Vesak or Visakah Puja ("Buddha Day")
Traditionally, Buddha's Birthday is known as Vesak or Visakah Puja (Buddha's Birthday Celebrations). Vesak is the major Buddhist festival of the year as it celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha on the one day, the first full moon day in May, except in a leap year when the festival is held in June. This celebration is called Vesak being the name of the month in the Indian calendar.
Magha Puja Day (Fourfold Assembly or "Sangha Day")
- Magha Puja Day takes places on the full moon day of the third lunar month (March). This holy day is observed to commemorate an important event in the life of the Buddha. This event occurred early in the Buddha's teaching life.
-After the first Rains Retreat (Vassa) at the Deer Park at Sarnath, the Buddha went to Rajagaha city where 1250 Arahats,(Enlightened saints) who were the Buddha's disciples, without prior appointment, returned from their wanderings to pay respect to the Buddha. They assembled in the Veruvana Monastery with the two chief disciples of the Buddha, Ven. Sariputta and Ven. Moggalana.
-Magha Puja Day (Fourfold Assembly or "Sangha Day")
Magha Puja Day takes places on the full moon day of the third lunar month (March). This holy day is observed to commemorate an important event in the life of the Buddha. This event occurred early in the Buddha's teaching life.
-After the first Rains Retreat (Vassa) at the Deer Park at Sarnath, the Buddha went to Rajagaha city where 1250 Arahats,(Enlightened saints) who were the Buddha's disciples, without prior appointment, returned from their wanderings to pay respect to the Buddha. They assembled in the Veruvana Monastery with the two chief disciples of the Buddha, Ven. Sariputta and Ven. Moggalana.
-The assembly is called the Fourfold Assembly because it consisted of four factors: (1) All 1250 were Arahats; (2) All of them were ordained by the Buddha himself; (3) They assembled by themselves without any prior call; (4) It was the full moon day of Magha month (March).
-Asalha Puja Day ("Dhamma Day")
Asalha Puja means to pay homage to the Buddha on the full moon day of the 8th lunar month (approximately July). It commemorates the Buddha's first teaching: the turning of the wheel of the Dhamma (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) to the five ascetics at the Deer Park (Sarnath) near Benares city, India. Where Kondanna, the senior ascetic attained the first level of enlightenment (the Sotapanna level of mind purity).
-Uposatha (Observance Day)
The four monthly holy days which continue to be observed in Theravada countries - the new moon, full moon, and quarter moon days. Known in Sri Lanka as Poya Day. [ Web Link: Uposatha or Observance Days ]
-Pavarana Day
This day marks the conclusion of the Rains retreat (vassa). In the following month, the kathina ceremony is held, during which the laity gather to make formal offerings of robe cloth and other requisites to the Sangha.
-Kathina Ceremony (Robe offering ceremony)
Is held on any convenient date within one month of the conclusion of the Vassa Retreat, which is the three month rains retreat season (Vassa) for the monastic order. It is the time of the year when new robes and other requisites may be offered by the laity to the monks.
-Anapanasati Day
At the end of one rains retreat (vassa), the Buddha was so pleased with the progress of the assembled monks that he encouraged them to extend their retreat for yet another month. On the full-moon day marking the end of that fourth month of retreat, he presented his now-famous instructions on mindfulness of breathing (anapanasati), which may be found in the Anapanasati Sutta (MN 118) - The Discourse on Mindfulness of Breathing.
-Abhidhamma Day
In the Burmese tradition, this day celebrates the occasion when the Buddha is said to have gone to the Tushita Heaven to teach his mother the Abhidhamma. It is held on the full moon of the seventh month of the Burmese lunar year starting in April which corresponds to the full moon day in October.
Songkran
-This Thai Buddhist festival goes on for several days during the middle of April. People clean their houses and wash their clothes and enjoy sprinkling perfumed water on the monks, novices and other people for at least two or three days. They gather around the riverbank, carrying fishes in jars to put into the water, for April is so hot in Thailand that the ponds dry out and the fish would die if not rescued. People go to the beach or river bank with jars or buckets of water and splash each other. When everyone is happily wet they are usually entertained by boat races on the river.
-Loy Krathong (Festival of Floating Bowls)
At the end of the Kathin Festival season, when the rivers and canals are full of water, the Loy Krathong Festival takes place in all parts of Thailand on the full moon night of the Twelfth Lunar month. People bring bowls made of leaves (which contain flowers) candles and incense sticks, and float them in the water. As they go, all bad luck is suppose to disappear. The traditional practice of Loy Krathong was meant to pay homage to the holy footprint of the Buddha on the beach of the Namada River in India.
-The Ploughing Festival
In May, when the moon is half-full, two white oxen pull a gold painted plough, followed by four girls dressed in white who scatter rice seeds from gold and silver baskets. This is to celebrate the Buddha's first moment of enlightenment, which is said to have happened when the Buddha was seven years old, when he had gone with his father to watched the ploughing. (Known in Thailand as Raek Na)
-The Elephant Festival
The Buddha used the example of a wild elephant which, when it is caught, is harnessed to a tame one to train. In the same way, he said, a person new to Buddhism should have a special friendship of an older Buddhist. To mark this saying, Thais hold an elephant festival on the third Saturday in November.
-The Festival of the Tooth
Kandy is a beautiful city in Sri Lanka. On a small hill is a great temple which was especially built to house a relic of the Buddha - his tooth. The tooth can never be seen, as it is kept deep inside may caskets. But once a year in August, on the night of the full moon, there is a special procession for it.
-Ulambana (Ancestor Day)
Is celebrated throughout the Mahayana tradition from the first to the fifteenth days of the eighth lunar month. It is believed that the gates of Hell are opened on the first day and the ghosts may visit the world for fifteen days. Food offerings are made during this time to relieve the sufferings of these ghosts. On the fifteenth day, Ulambana or Ancestor Day, people visit cemeteries to make offerings to the departed ancestors. Many Theravadins from Cambodia, Laos and Thailand also observe this festival.
-Ulambana is also a Japanese Buddhist festival known as Obon, beginning on the thirteenth of July and lasting for three days, which celebrates the reunion of family ancestors with the living.
-Avalokitesvara’s Birthday (Kuan Yin)
This is a festival which celebrates the Bodhisattva ideal represented by Avalokitesvara. Who represents the perfection of compassion in the Mahayana traditions of Tibet and China. It occurs on the full moon day in March.
Bodhi Day (Enlightenment Day)
Bodhi Day honours the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama -- the Buddha. Buddhists observe the importance of this event by celebrating Bodhi Day usually on the eighth of December. The day is observed in many ways, including prayer, meditation and teachings.
Symbols
- much more recent symbol is the Buddhist flag. It was in designed in 1880 by Colonel Henry Steele Olcott an American journalist. It was first hoisted in 1885 in Sri Lanka and is a symbol of faith and peace, and is now used throughout the world to represent the Buddhism.
-the five colours of the flag represent the colours of the aura that emanated from the body of the Buddha when he attained Enlightenment.
Blue- Loving kindness, peace and universal compassion
Yellow- The Middle Path - avoiding extremes, emptiness
Red- Blessings of practice - achievement, wisdom, virtue, fortune and dignity
light blue- Purity of Dharma - it leads to liberation, outside of time or space
orange- The Buddha's Teaching - wisdom
• Many Buddhist symbols need to be considered within the culture of the people who follow it. Therefore, many of the early symbols relate to ancient India and can be found in Hinduism as well, although possibly with a somewhat different meaning.
•'Wheel of Life' to illustrate the teachings. The first archaeological evidence, mainly of ornamental stone carvings, comes from the time of the Emperor Asoka (273 - 232 BCE), who converted to Buddhism and made it a popular religion in India and beyond .
• In the second century BCE, people started to excavate Buddhist monasteries in rock, creating a large amount of artwork to withstand the ages. Probably the earliest typical Buddhist monument is the stupa, which was often specially decorated. The first actual Buddha images appeared around the first century BCE, so until then the artwork was largely symbolic in nature.
• 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 Eight-Spoked Dharma Wheel or 'Dharmachakra' (Sanskrit) symbolises the Buddha's turning the Wheel of Truth or Law (dharma = truth/law, chakra = wheel).
• Deer are a direct reference to the Buddha's first teaching in the Deer Park, Sarnath, also called Dharmachakra Parivartan. The suggestion is that so wondrous was the Buddha's appearance and peaceful his presence that even the animals came to listen. In the Tibetan tradition, a monastery which holds the Kangyur and Tengyur collections of texts would have this symbol of deer on both sides of the Dharma-wheel on the roof.
• Stupas generally represent the enlightened mind of the Buddha. They were constructed since the early days of Buddhism. One of the symbolic meanings is that they represent the five elements: the square base represents earth, the round dome is for water, the cone-shape is fire, the canopy is air and the volume of the stupa is space. Stupas are often used to store relics from important teachers.
• 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).
• The Bodhi Tree refers to the tree under which the Buddha achieved enlightenment (See image on the right.).
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.
• The Throne is both a reference to Siddharta Gautama's royal ancestry and to the idea of spiritual kingship - enlightenment as ruler of the spiritual world. The ancient stone carvings above show the Dharmachakra and the Bodhitree on top of the throne. Sometimes the base of the throne is decorated with other symbols such as lions and deer, both associated with the Buddha's teachings.
• The Throne is both a reference to Siddharta Gautama's royal ancestry and to the idea of spiritual kingship - enlightenment as ruler of the spiritual world. The ancient stone carvings above show the Dharmachakra and the Bodhitree on top of the throne. Sometimes the base of the throne is decorated with other symbols such as lions and deer, both associated with the Buddha's teachings.
• "Footprints of the Buddha traditionally symbolize the physical presence of the Enlightened One. This image was reproduced from a rubbing of an ancient stone imprint at Bodh Gaya, India, site of the Buddha's enlightenment."
• The Begging-bowl refers to the the story that shortly before the Buddha reached enlightenment, a young woman named Sujata offered him a bowl of milk-rice. At that moment, he was practicing austerity by eating extremely little. But he realised at that moment that he would need to have more strength for the final steps to enlightenment, and further fasting would only reduce his energy. After he reached enlightenment, he is said to have thrown away what little was left in the bowl to signify his renunciation of all material possessions. Finding the middle way between extreme austerity and complete attachment to life is an important principle of Buddhism. The bowl also points to the monk's way of life; going from the monastery into the village each morning and living off what is put into it by lay people.
• The core of Buddhism is made up of the three pillars of the Buddha, the Dharma (his teachings) and the Sangha (monks and nuns). Simply explained, one could say that without the historical Buddha Shakyamuni there would have been no Buddhist Dharma, nor Sangha. Without his teachings, the Buddha would not have made much of a difference, and also the spiritual community would not have existed. Without the Sangha, the tradition would never have have been transmitted through the ages. The Buddha would have been 'just' a historical figure and his teachings would have been 'just' books.
Obviously, the Triple Gem is usually represented as three jewels...
-the five colours of the flag represent the colours of the aura that emanated from the body of the Buddha when he attained Enlightenment.
Blue- Loving kindness, peace and universal compassion
Yellow- The Middle Path - avoiding extremes, emptiness
Red- Blessings of practice - achievement, wisdom, virtue, fortune and dignity
light blue- Purity of Dharma - it leads to liberation, outside of time or space
orange- The Buddha's Teaching - wisdom
• Many Buddhist symbols need to be considered within the culture of the people who follow it. Therefore, many of the early symbols relate to ancient India and can be found in Hinduism as well, although possibly with a somewhat different meaning.
•'Wheel of Life' to illustrate the teachings. The first archaeological evidence, mainly of ornamental stone carvings, comes from the time of the Emperor Asoka (273 - 232 BCE), who converted to Buddhism and made it a popular religion in India and beyond .
• In the second century BCE, people started to excavate Buddhist monasteries in rock, creating a large amount of artwork to withstand the ages. Probably the earliest typical Buddhist monument is the stupa, which was often specially decorated. The first actual Buddha images appeared around the first century BCE, so until then the artwork was largely symbolic in nature.
• 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 Eight-Spoked Dharma Wheel or 'Dharmachakra' (Sanskrit) symbolises the Buddha's turning the Wheel of Truth or Law (dharma = truth/law, chakra = wheel).
• Deer are a direct reference to the Buddha's first teaching in the Deer Park, Sarnath, also called Dharmachakra Parivartan. The suggestion is that so wondrous was the Buddha's appearance and peaceful his presence that even the animals came to listen. In the Tibetan tradition, a monastery which holds the Kangyur and Tengyur collections of texts would have this symbol of deer on both sides of the Dharma-wheel on the roof.
• Stupas generally represent the enlightened mind of the Buddha. They were constructed since the early days of Buddhism. One of the symbolic meanings is that they represent the five elements: the square base represents earth, the round dome is for water, the cone-shape is fire, the canopy is air and the volume of the stupa is space. Stupas are often used to store relics from important teachers.
• 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).
• The Bodhi Tree refers to the tree under which the Buddha achieved enlightenment (See image on the right.).
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.
• The Throne is both a reference to Siddharta Gautama's royal ancestry and to the idea of spiritual kingship - enlightenment as ruler of the spiritual world. The ancient stone carvings above show the Dharmachakra and the Bodhitree on top of the throne. Sometimes the base of the throne is decorated with other symbols such as lions and deer, both associated with the Buddha's teachings.
• The Throne is both a reference to Siddharta Gautama's royal ancestry and to the idea of spiritual kingship - enlightenment as ruler of the spiritual world. The ancient stone carvings above show the Dharmachakra and the Bodhitree on top of the throne. Sometimes the base of the throne is decorated with other symbols such as lions and deer, both associated with the Buddha's teachings.
• "Footprints of the Buddha traditionally symbolize the physical presence of the Enlightened One. This image was reproduced from a rubbing of an ancient stone imprint at Bodh Gaya, India, site of the Buddha's enlightenment."
• The Begging-bowl refers to the the story that shortly before the Buddha reached enlightenment, a young woman named Sujata offered him a bowl of milk-rice. At that moment, he was practicing austerity by eating extremely little. But he realised at that moment that he would need to have more strength for the final steps to enlightenment, and further fasting would only reduce his energy. After he reached enlightenment, he is said to have thrown away what little was left in the bowl to signify his renunciation of all material possessions. Finding the middle way between extreme austerity and complete attachment to life is an important principle of Buddhism. The bowl also points to the monk's way of life; going from the monastery into the village each morning and living off what is put into it by lay people.
• The core of Buddhism is made up of the three pillars of the Buddha, the Dharma (his teachings) and the Sangha (monks and nuns). Simply explained, one could say that without the historical Buddha Shakyamuni there would have been no Buddhist Dharma, nor Sangha. Without his teachings, the Buddha would not have made much of a difference, and also the spiritual community would not have existed. Without the Sangha, the tradition would never have have been transmitted through the ages. The Buddha would have been 'just' a historical figure and his teachings would have been 'just' books.
Obviously, the Triple Gem is usually represented as three jewels...
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