| There are 8 Auspicious Symbols in Buddhist art and | | | | Lotus Flower represents. |
| the Lotus Flower is one of the most prominent. In | | | | The selection of the Lotus Flower in Buddhism |
| fact, you could credibly claim that the Lotus Flower is | | | | derives from the fact it is a flower that is able to |
| the most well known of all the symbols. It is | | | | bloom while also simultaneously shedding its seeds. |
| commonly featured in artwork because of its deep | | | | This ties very heavily to components of Buddhist |
| rooted connection to the notion of enlightenment | | | | karma since karma revolves around cause and effect. |
| which is the prime goal of practicing Buddhism. | | | | In some cases, there may be similarities between |
| The Lotus Flower and its derivative Lotus position in | | | | cause and effect and other scenarios can lead to the |
| the practice of Buddhism have a greater level of | | | | exact opposite reaction than what we initially |
| complexity than most realize. This is because the | | | | intended. The key here is that one must understand |
| flower has a deep symbolic meaning far beyond the | | | | karma will prove to be a salvation or an undoing |
| look of the flower or the assumption that all religions | | | | depending upon your approach to life. |
| need an icon. The Lotus flower was not selected to | | | | Lotus flowers are also known to float on water. In |
| merely perform some iconic role. However, the | | | | some instances, the water may be pristine and clear. |
| presence of the Lotus is a vital one since the Lotus | | | | In other instances, the water may be polluted or |
| position - a critical component in the worship of | | | | otherwise filthy. The symbolism of this should be |
| Buddhism - plays such an integral role in the practice | | | | considered fairly self-evident. The fact that the |
| of Buddhism. | | | | meditative position is based on the Lotus Flower is |
| The Lotus position in the practice of Buddhism is | | | | clearly not selected without a clear deliberation. |
| something that is frequently misunderstood by those | | | | The filth of the water can represent the evil, |
| that do not understand what the position is designed | | | | dangers, and darker side of life. The Lotus Flower |
| to promote. For some, the Lotus position looks 'cool' | | | | rises above and floats over such ugliness. The |
| and this is good enough for them to employ it in their | | | | concept of meditating in the Lotus position presents |
| meditative practice. However, there is more to the | | | | the notion that a person can rise above such |
| position than merely appearances. When we are of | | | | complexities and difficulties and maintain their |
| the mindset that the position is valuable based upon a | | | | composure and proper mindset. Of course, you can |
| cursory or surface value opinion, we run the risk of | | | | also maintain such composure under all environments |
| being able to dismiss it just as well. And honestly, it is | | | | whether which is the central theme of Buddhist |
| best not to dismiss any components to Buddhist | | | | practice - a calm mind that co-exists in all |
| practice much less one as important as the Lotus | | | | environments. |
| position and its symbolism. | | | | The Lotus Flower does not just float over dirty and |
| The key to understanding the lotus involves having a | | | | murky water. It is born of vile and dirty mud but you |
| more in depth understanding of what it involves and | | | | would not know this based upon looking at such a |
| entails. In Buddhism, there are additional complexities | | | | beautiful flower. Regardless of the filth it comes |
| to examining the symbolism in any image. This is | | | | from, the true nature of the Lotus Flower emerges |
| because Buddhism promotes notions of dualities and | | | | from its dark origins and rises above it. You could |
| open-ended interpretations. Since Buddhism is rooted | | | | consider this the ultimate form of enlightenment |
| in what already exists within the self, it is common | | | | which is probably why the Lotus is so commonly |
| that interpretations of symbols are not clearly | | | | reflected in Buddhist symbolism and artwork. |
| defined. | | | | You could say the true heart and essence of a |
| That is not to say there is no order to the | | | | human being is found in the symbolism of the Lotus. |
| symbolism found in Buddhism. Such an approach | | | | Considering the brilliance of the flower and what it |
| would be chaotic and sloppy - certainly those are | | | | represents, it is understandable how the imagery of |
| two components far removed from what Buddhism | | | | the Lotus has proven so memorable throughout the |
| represents. So, there are general characteristics the | | | | ages. |