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ARTICLE XI
STATUS AND AUTHORITY
1. The WBU is an autonomous organ of The WFB and shall enjoy the status by The WFB
Constitution.
2. The WBU may acquire and dispose of real and personal property, and may take other
legal actions necessary for the performance of its functions, with the consent of The WFB.
3. The WBU may enter into agreements, contracts or arrangements with governments,
organizations, institutions, firms or individuals for the purpose of carrying out its
activities, with the consent of The WFB.
ARTICLE XII
THE EMBLEM OF THE UNIVERSITY
1. The emblem of the World Buddhist University consists of the triratna symbol above
the Dhammacakka (or dharmacakra) inside the shield with ribbon imprinted with
‘The World Buddhist University.’ The description of the emblem is as follows:
A. The Triratna (Pali: tiratna) is a Buddhist symbol thought to visually represent the
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Three Jewels of Buddhism (the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha). It is sometimes
also known as Nandiyavatta which means turning the wheel of dharma clockwise
symbolising the deliverance of the first sermon of the Buddha. The Triratna symbol
is composed of dhammacakra within a circle, a diamond rod or Vajra, and a trident
with three branches, representing the threefold jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha,
the Dharma and the Sangha.
B. The trident jewels also represent three virtues of the Buddha which accordingly
developed to be the current main lineages of Buddhism. Each lineage of
Buddhism emphasizes on different Buddha’s virtues: Vajrayana (emphasis on
wisdom virtue- Buddha), Theravada (emphasis on purity virtue-dharma) and
Mahayana (emphasis on compassion-sangha).
4 The Triratna symbol can be found on frieze sculptures at Sanchi as the symbol crowning a flag standard
(2 century BCE), as a symbol of the Buddha installed on the Buddha’s throne (2 century BCE), as the
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crowning decorative symbol on the later gates at the stupa in Sanchi (2 century CE), or, very often on the
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Buddha footprint (starting from the 1 century CE). The Triratna is also on the 1 century BCE coins of the
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Kingdom of Kuninda.
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RECORD OF PROCEEDING | THE 11 MEETING OF THE WBU COUNCIL
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