PADMA

PADMA

Buddhist visual art has produced an elaborate vocabulary of symbolic and iconic forms of expressions and a great variety of these symbols is found in temples, visual art and literature.The figures of Lotus, Dharmachakra, Stupa, Triratna, Chattra, Dhvaja, Deer and Naga are among the more common ones. The lotus, the wheel and the stupa can be seen in almost every Buddhist temple. One may understand these symbols as visual mantras and contemplating them is an exercise in meditation. Lotus represents 'primordial purity' body, speech and mind. The roots of a lotus are in the mud, the stem grows up through the water and the heavily scented flower lies 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 colour of the lotus too has an important bearing. White Lotus represents the state of spiritual perfection and total mental purity. Red Lotus, the flower of Avalokiteshvara signifies the original nature and purity of the heart. Blue Lotus is a symbol of the victory of the spirit over the senses and signifies the wisdom of knowledge. Pink Lotus is the supreme lotus, generally reserved for the highest deity. Thus, naturally it is associated with the Great Buddha himself.