what is the commonly recongnized symbol for buddhism?

Question

what does it mean and represent?

Answer 1

a fat bald man with his leg crossed, a near impossible feat for the rest of us fat guys.

Answer 2

The lotus (Sanskrit padma; Tibetan pad ma) is one of Buddhism's best recognized motifs since lord Buddha is associated in some manner with the lotus, either being seated upon it or holding one in his hands.

The roots of a lotus are in the mud, the stem grows up through the water, and the heavily scented flower lies above the water, basking in the sunlight. This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment. Though there are other water plants that bloom above the water, it is only the lotus which, owing to the strength of its stem, regularly rises eight to twelve inches above the surface.

Thus says the Lalitavistara, "the spirit of the best of men is spotless, like the lotus in the muddy water which does not adhere to it." According to another scholar, "in esoteric Buddhism, the heart of the beings is like an unopened lotus: when the virtues of the Buddha develop therein, the lotus blossoms; that is why the Buddha sits on a lotus bloom."

Significantly, the color of the lotus too has an important bearing on the symbology associated with it:

White Lotus (Skt. pundarika; Tib. pad ma dkar po): This represents the state of spiritual perfection and total mental purity (bodhi). It is associated with the White Tara and proclaims her perfect nature, a quality which is reinforced by the color of her body.

Red Lotus (Skt. kamala; Tib: pad ma chu skyes): This signifies the original nature and purity of the heart (hrdya). It is the lotus of love, compassion, passion and all other qualities of the heart. It is the flower of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.

Blue Lotus (Skt. utpala; Tib. ut pa la): This is a symbol of the victory of the spirit over the senses, and signifies the wisdom of knowledge. Not surprisingly, it is the preferred flower of Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom.

Pink Lotus (Skt. padma; Tib. pad ma dmar po): This the supreme lotus, generally reserved for the highest deity. Thus naturally it is associated with the Great Buddha himself.

Answer 3

The one I most often see is the Dharma wheel, which is a wheel with 8 spokes.

The 8 spokes represent the Noble Eightfold Path, which every Buddhist strives to follow. (they are things like right thinking, right livelihood, right speech, right action, right meditation, and so on).

Besides the wheel, sometimes you will see "Om Mani Padme Hum" written in Tibetan, Sanskrit, or another language. I've seen this on bracelets and things like that. I believe it means "Hail to the jewel in the lotus."

Tibetan Buddhism has many many symbols. In fact, I have a whole book with nothing but symbols of Tibetan Buddhism.

But the one that I think is universal for Buddhism is probably the Dharma wheel.

Answer 4

Good question! Actually, there are 8 common symbols of Buddhism. That's why you don't see one as the recognizable symbol of the Buddhist philosophy. Here's some information for you:

The endless knot (Skt. shrivatsa; Tib. dpal be'u) is a closed, graphic ornament composed of right-angled, intertwined lines. It overlaps without a beginning or an end, symbolising the Buddha's endless wisdom and compassion. It indicates continuity as the underlying reality of existence. It is conjectured that it may have evolved from an ancient naga symbol with two stylized snakes.



The latter image signifies the dramatic interplay and interaction of the opposing forces in the dualistic world of manifestation, leading to their union, and ultimately to harmony in the universe. This fact is amply reflected in the symmetrical and regular form of the endless knot.

The intertwining of lines represents how all phenomena are conjoined and yoked together as a closed cycle of cause and effect. Thus the whole composition is a pattern that is closed on in itself with no gaps, leading to a representational form of great simplicity and fully balanced harmony.

Since all phenomena are interrelated, the placing of the endless knot on a gift or greeting card is understood to establish an auspicious connection between the giver and the recipient. At the same time, the recipient is goaded to righteous karma, being reminded that future positive effects have their roots in the causes of the present. This is because the knot represents a connection, a link with our fates, binding us to our karmic destiny. Not surprisingly, this is one of the most favorite symbols in Tibetan Buddhism, and often occurs on its own.

Other, related interpretations of the endless knot have also been given, such as the following:

The auspicious drawing symbolises the mutual dependence of religious doctrine and secular affairs. Similarly, it represents the union of wisdom and method, the inseparability of emptiness and dependent arising at the time of path, and finally, at the time of enlightenment, the complete union of wisdom and great compassion. {2}

Answer 5

if you mean in the same way as the cross or sickle, then its the eight spoke wheel. The wheel represents the dhamma (teachings of Buddha, his first sermon was called the first turning of the wheel) and the eight spokes represent the noble eightfold path, which is the route to the cessasion of suffering.

Answer 6

Lotus and the wheel of life. Lotus represents introverted and extroverted beauty rising from no-beauty (mud), and the wheel of life represents the cycle of rebirth and the eight-fold path...

Answer 7

The swastika in the "Z" position and is good. Nazi Germany adopted the symbol in the "S" position and made a good symbol bad.

Answer 8

Budda

Answer 9

Buddha.

Answer 10

the wheel of life - is the continuous cycle of birth, life, and death from which one liberates oneself through enlightenment.