Lotus is one of the
Eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism. It is called Padma. Many Bhutanese and
Tibetan are familiar with this pure flower due to its association with Guru
Rinpoche's birth.
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.
Lotus therefore is
one of Buddhism's best recognized motifs since every important deity is
associated in some manner with the Lotus, either being seated upon it or
holding one in their hands.
A connection is
made that the seed of the lotus blossom represents a person at an early stage
of the karmic cycle.
As the person
continues to walk their path and rises higher in their spiritual evolution,
they leave the murky water of samsara (pain/suffering/attachment) behind.
This is when the
lotus bud emerges from under the water and reaches a purer state of
consciousness. Over time the bud blossoms as they move towards a state of
nirvana.
When a person has
reached nirvana (enlightenment/freedom from worldly attachments) they are
representative of a perfect lotus bloom.
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 blossom; that
is why the Buddha sits on a Lotus bloom.
A Lotus is also
symbolic representation for the family of Buddhas and divine birth, also
symbolizes the female principle or the female genitals.
Buddhists regard
the Lotus as a flower of divine origin since it reproduces from its own womb
rather than in the soil, and the Padma Symbol is seen as a pledge of salvation.
The lotus has it's
own title as one of the Buddhist holy books, "The Sutra on the White Lotus
of the Sublime Dharma", also known more simply as the Lotus Sutra, and is
mentioned by Buddha repeatedly in his teachings.
Significantly, the
color of the Lotus too has an important bearing on the symbol associated with
it.
1). White Lotus (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 that is
reinforced by the color of her Body.
2). Red Lotus (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.
It is the flower of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
3). Blue Lotus (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.
4). Pink Lotus (pad
ma dmar po):
This the supreme
Lotus, generally reserved for the highest deity. Thus naturally it is
associated with the Great Buddha himself.
Lotus Sutra
The Lotus Sutra is one of the most
important sutras in Mahayana Buddhism and was likely written down between 100
B.C. and 200 A.D. Already well known in India, the sutra became more famous and
influential when it was translated into Chinese by Kumarajiva in the year 406.
After Chih-i founded the T’ien-T’ai School in China, based on the teaching
expounded by this sutra in the sixth century, it was considered one of the
canonical sutras of Chinese Buddhism. After the T’ien-T’ai School of China was
introduced to Japan by Saicho and became the Tendai Sect, the Lotus Sutra
became loved as literature among the people.
The sutra is named the Lotus Sutra
because the lotus symbolized the oneness of cause and effect, specifically the
cause of aspiring to enlightenment (Buddhahood) and the effect of attaining it,
since the lotus is a flower that blooms and seeds at the same time. It also
symbolizes the purity of Buddhahood, blooming in the midst of our ordinary
lives just as the lotus blossoms in muddy pond water.
The Teachings
of the Lotus Sutra
The Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra
is that all living beings, whether they realize it or not, have the capacity to
become enlightened. Everyone, without exception, can unlock the perfect wisdom
and great compassion that reside in the depths of life. The Lotus Sutra also
teaches that the life of a Buddha transcends our ordinary way of thinking and
is beyond birth and death.
Shakyamuni Buddha himself is in
actuality the Eternal Buddha who is always present in our lives, leading us to
the realization of our own innate Buddhahood.
Please
treat lotus flower with Respect.
