Download Buddhist Sacred Symbols

Buddhist Sacred
Symbols
Butsudan
 Small household shrine
It holds representations of the
Buddha and other images of
reverence, such as candle, incense
and offerings
Traditional offerings are fruit
and flowers because these things
fade and therefore emphasize
impermanence
 It is important to take care of the
shrine’s objects, eg. Keeping the statues
free of dust, reinforcing devotion and
promoting peace and calmness
Butsudan Diagram
1. Image of Dainichi Nyorai (Picture or
statue)
2. Image of Fudo Myoo (Picture or
statue)
3. Image of Kobo Daishi (Picture or
statue)
4. Water (l) & Rice (r) Offering cups
5. Memorial Tablets
6. Fruit/Food Offerings
7. Register of Family Memorials
8. Flower Offering
9. Candle (Light Offering)
10. Incense Burner
Statue of Siddhartha
Earth-touching pose
A demon that tempted
Siddhartha while he sat
under the Bodhi tree asked
Siddhartha if he was truly a
World Saviour.
Since Siddhartha never
says he is, he touched the
earth. The earth then
proclaimed that he was
indeed a great world
saviour
Therefore, it depicts
the moment when
Siddhartha became
Buddha
Bodhisaattva
“Bodhi” means
enlightened and
“sattva” means being.
Thus a bodhisattva is
an enlightened being
Out of compassion, a
bodhisattva may
postpone his own
entrance into nirvana
until everyone
becomes enlightened
Three Offering Bowls
Offering bowls are placed on a Buddhist
alter or shrine
Empty bowls should not be placed on
the alter, because devotees cannot make
an empty offering
The bowls are often filed with water to
symbolize purity and clarity
The bowls are to be placed in an orderly
manner, reflection, an orderly life and
thought
Incense
Burning incense represents the importance of
effort
Just as incense is lit on one end, once a
Buddhist begins practices to reach enlightenment
they should not abandon them until they’ve
reached it
Just as incense lets out perfume by burning,
enlightenment is attained by getting rid of
attachment
The rising smoke and perfume also serve as a
connection between the sky and the earth
Candles
The candle itself represents the
impermanence because it is destroyed
while burning
The flame represents the Buddha’s
enlightenment nature and wisdom
teachings
Burning candles also represents
burning away earthy desires and
sparking the flame of wisdom
Mala Beads (Prayer Beads)
A meditative tool used to count the number
of times a prayer or mantras are repeated.
The mala can consist of 27, 54 or 108
beads.
108 represents the number of earthly
desires most people have.
The beads are made of sandalwood, which
are believed to clam the mind and enhance
clarity and relaxation.
When using the mala, it is held in the left
hand and the recitations are started at the 1st
bead after the guru bead.
The beads are counted with the thumb and
middle finger and are scented with eight
different scents to aid in prayer.
The beads are never to touch the ground, if
this happens the beads need to be blessed
again.
This also need to be done if the string is cut.
Prayer Wheel
Inside of the cylinder is prayer
written over and over again.
Each time the wheel is turned
clockwise, it is believed to be
equal to saying all the prayers
written.
The wheel is used to keep the
Buddhist focused during prayer.
Prayer Flags
Prayers are written on the colourful
flags.
The flags may be strung across
temples, homes or tree branches.
As the breeze moves, the prayers are
activated and carried across by the wind.
Prayer flags are usually in groups of
five colours: yellow, green, red, white
and blue. Each colour represents a stage
in the process between death and
rebirth
Lotus Flower
Symbolizes all that is good
and pure.
A lotus starts at the bottom
of a pond and rises to the
surface to bloom. Likewise, a
person can rise above their
suffering and attain
enlightenment.
The Meaning of Tibetan Buddhist Robes
There are several different types of Buddhist robes according
to the particular tradition and lineage. The design of these
particular robes originates with Je Tsongkhapa, a great
Tibetan Mahayana Buddhist scholar and saint, at the turn of
the 15th century. They are the same for nuns and monks.
The Basic Elements:
1. Donkha:
2. Shamtab:
3. Zen:
4. Chogo:
The upper garment
(shirt)
The burgundy skirt
The rectangular
burgundy robe
The rectangular saffron
robe
 These symbolize the path to
enlightenment to remind the wearer of
their daily practice. They are not worn
to show that the wearer is special or
different from other people.
The Donkha – Death and
Ignorance
The two holes in the two arms:
Represent ignorance and elephant
trunks. During the time of Buddha,
elephants would sometimes get out
of control and cause great
destruction. This is a reminded of
the need to abandon ignorance, the
root of all delusions, daily problems
and suffering.
The ‘V’ neck: Reminds the wearer
of impermanence. The she/he lives
within the jaws of death and could
die at any time. This helps to recall
the preciousness of human life and
reminds the practitioner not to
waste a single moment.
The Three Higher Trainings
Trainings: to become skilled in meditation, practice is needed.
Higher: because the goal is to attain permanent freedom for ourselves and
others
The Shamtab: Training in higher
moral discipline
The shamtab or skirt reminds the
wearer to practice moral discipline –
the abandonment of negative
actions that harm ourselves and
others.
Two extra pieces are sewn to
remind the practitioner to practice
conscientiousness which means
guarding the mind form negativity.
This is like a fence that encircles and
protects the wearer from suffering
The Zen: Training in higher
concentration
The burgundy robe (a
rectangular piece of burgundy
cloth that goes around the
upper body) is a reminder to
practice meditation and
develop concentration.
The Chogo: Training in higher
wisdom
The saffron (yellow robe) is a
reminder to develop wisdom. It is
always worn when whenever
teaching Dharma or listening to
Dharma teachings.
Commonly asked questions:
Why is one arm kept bare?
This symbolizes the practice of contentment. For example, whether hot
or cold, the wearer tries to keep a peaceful, happy mind.
Why are there many patches on the chogo?
Again this is a reminder of contentment and humility. During Buddha’s
time, ordained disciples used any available scraps of material and they were dyed
in the most readily available and least expensive colour.