Page 25 - Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols

Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Sy 9/1/10 11:29 AM Page 7

The Eight Auspicious Symbols 7

great treasure vase (Tib. gter chen-po’i THE LOTUS
bum-pa), as described in the Buddhist man- (Skt. padma, kamala; Tib. pad-ma; chu-
dala offering, is fashioned from gold and skyes)
studded with a multitude of precious gems.
A silk scarf from the god realm is tied The Indian lotus, which grows from the
around its neck, and its top is sealed with a dark watery mire but is unstained by it, is a
wish-granting tree. The roots of this tree in- major Buddhist symbol of purity and renun-
fuse the contained waters of longevity, ciation. It represents the blossoming of
miraculously creating all manner of trea- wholesome activities, which are performed
sures. Sealed treasure vases may be placed with complete freedom from the faults of
or buried at sacred geomantic locations, cyclic existence. The lotus seats upon which
such as mountain passes, pilgrimage sites, deities sit or stand symbolize their divine
springs, rivers, and oceans. Here their func- origin. They are immaculately conceived, in-
tion is both to spread abundance to the en- nately perfect, and absolutely pure in their
vironment and to appease the indigenous body, speech, and mind. The deities manifest
spirits who abide in these places. into cyclic existence, yet they are completely

Lotuses stylized as peony and chrysanthemum blossoms.