Page 52 - Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols

Handbook of Tibetan Buddhis#12B 9/1/10 11:38 AM Page 34

34 T he Handbook of T ibet an B uddhist S ymbols

three times (past, present, and future), or the level it refers to the creative juice of spiritual
Chinese symbol of the ‘fruits of the tree of or artistic inspiration, particularly in the
plenty’ (abundance, maturity, and ripeness). fields of music, drama, and dance. The danc-
These three fruits are often depicted in the ing postures and facial expressions of many
form of peaches, but they may also be repre- of the main Buddhist yidam deities are de-
sented as apples, apricots, mangoes, oranges, scribed as exhibiting the ‘nine rasas or dra-
persimmons, guavas, pomegranates, lemons, matic sentiments’ (Skt. navanathyarasa).
limes, or bilva fruits. The pomegranate, with These are the nine characteristic modes of
its bright red skin and edible seeds, is a sym- expression that are displayed in Indian
bol of happiness, passion, abundance, and dance and drama. In tantric literature the
fertility. The peach is a symbol of longevity term rasa is also used as a synonym for
and immortality, and the citron is a symbol of semen and mercury. Six kinds of taste are
wealth and prosperity. In Chinese symbolism described in the Ayurvedic tradition: sweet,
these three fruits – pomegranate, peach, and sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. In
citron – are known as the ‘three fruits of Vajrayana Buddhism these six tastes are as-
blessings’, and represent happiness, long- signed to the wisdom qualities of the Five
evity, and wealth. Occasionally a variety of Buddha Families and Vajradhara, as the
different fruits may be depicted within the of- sixth or primordial Adibuddha.
fering bowl, or the taste offering may take
the form of a ritual cake or torma (Tib. gtor-
ma). However, tormas, which are hand- TOUCH
molded from barley flour dough, are more (Skt. sparsha; Tib. reg-bya)
specifically presented as food offerings to the
wrathful deities. A colored silk ribbon invariably represents
The Sanskrit term for taste, rasa, has a the faculty of touch, as the soft smoothness
wide variety of subtle meanings. In general it of silk is perceived as the most sensually
refers to the faculty of taste as juice, sap, pleasing and unrestrictive of all fabrics. In-
essence, or flavor, but on a more esoteric dian silk merchants often demonstrate the

Various examples of silk ribbons, feathers (lower left), and rolls of silk (right).