Devotion

254. BUDDHIST DEVOTION

“Religion as propounded by the Buddha is startlingly different from all other great religions. Devotion to the Dharma, and loving service, take the place of worship. … Becoming morally perfect and living a good life take the place of rituals and ceremonies.”

P.D. MEHTA (1902–1994), INDIA

255. PRAYER WHEELS

Tibetan Buddhists believe that saying the mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum”, out loud or silently, invokes the powerful benevolent attention of Avalokiteshvara (see page 106). Spinning the mantra’s written form inside a wheel is also effective. Rolls of paper, imprinted with many copies of the mantra, are wound around an axle inside a container, and spun. Viewing a written mantra is said to have the same effect.

256. SIX SYLLABLES – OM MANI PADME HUM

“When you say the first syllable, Om, it is blessed to help you achieve perfection in the practice of generosity, Ma helps the practice of pure ethics, and Ni helps the practice of tolerance and patience. Pad, the fourth syllable, helps perseverance, Me helps concentration, and the sixth syllable, Hum, helps the practice of wisdom. Behold the Jewel is in the Lotus."

GEN RINPOCHE (1921–1995), TIBET

257. OBJECTS OF DEVOTION

The eight auspicious symbols are popular in Tibetan Buddhism. They are mentioned in texts dating back to the establishment of Buddhism in India. In some texts they are compared to the body, speech and mind of the Buddha. They can also symbolize aspects of the Dharma.

258. THE PARASOL

In ancient India and Tibet, important religious dignitaries and secular rulers often walked under silk parasols or ones constructed out of peacock feathers. The parasol symbolizes protection against the heat of defilements.

259. THE WHEEL

Symbolizing the Wheel of Dharma set in motion by the Buddha with his first sermon, the wheel represents the Buddha’s teaching. The eight spokes represent the Noble Eightfold Path.

260. THE RIGHT-TURNING CONCH SHELL

In Tibetan Buddhism shells or conches are used to call together an assembly. The conch stands for the fame of the Buddha’s teaching, which spreads in all directions like the sound of a conch shell trumpet.

261. THE VICTORY BANNER

This is the sign of victory over all obstacles – negativity, disagreements, disharmonies – and the victory of the Buddhist teaching, the triumph of knowledge over ignorance and the attainment of happiness.

262. THE ENDLESS KNOT

The knot has no beginning and no end. It symbolizes the infinite knowledge of the Buddha and the union of method and wisdom, which at liberation become great compassion and wisdom.

263. THE LOTUS

This flower is a symbol of mental purity and divine origination. In full bloom it is the image of correct activities leading to liberation. Each plant has its roots in the muddy water of a pond or lake, but beautiful, pristine flowers surrounded by leaves appear above the water.

264. THE TREASURE VASE

The vase is a sign of abundance and the fulfilment of spiritual and material wishes. Treasure vases are also an attribute of particular deities connected with wealth of one kind or another.

265. THE GOLDEN FISHES

The fishes symbolize the fearless life and knowing how to avoid falling into the ocean of suffering and samsara. They have all the freedom and liveliness of fish swimming and leaping from the water. They originally represented the sacred rivers Ganges and Yamuna.